Abstract
This study examined the occurrence and molecular basis for antibiotic-resistant staphylococci from the wastewater treatment plant and grey-water samples in Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria. Standard microbiological techniques and molecular methods were utilized. The species identified (MALDI score >1.7) comprised S. saprophyticus (19), S. cohnii (8), S. sciuri (7), S. aureus (4), S. epidermidis (3), S. warneri (2), S. equorum (1), S. haemolyticus (1), S. nepalensis (1), S. condimenti (1), and S. pasteuri (1). Resistance to trimethoprim, tetracycline and cefoxitin were observed in 78.3% (47/60), 36.7% (22/60) and 25% (15/60) of the isolates, respectively. The rate of multidrug resistance was 53.3% (32/60) and observed in eight species from different sampling sites. Seven (S. sciuri; n = 5; S. aureus; n = 1; S. warneri; n = 1) of the 20 selected (representing the various staphylococcal species and antibiotypes) isolates were mecA-positive. Furthermore, the tetK gene was detected in nine isolates, six with dfrA, and four were positive for the dfrG gene. One S. aureus was mecA, tetK and dfrG gene positive. The study provides insights on antibiotic-resistant staphylococci from a non-clinical setting and highlights the need for active surveillance to understand the burden of antimicrobial resistance in Nigeria. This is key to improve synergy across the human, animal and environmental health sectors in Nigeria.
Highlights
IntroductionWastewater (including grey-water – household waste devoid of fecal matter) is an integral part of human activities
Wastewater is an integral part of human activities
This study examined the occurrence of antibiotic-resistant staphylococci and their resistance genes from the wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and grey-water samples in Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Nigeria
Summary
Wastewater (including grey-water – household waste devoid of fecal matter) is an integral part of human activities. Its indiscriminate discharge to various environmental receptors (stream/rivers, seas) has profound consequences on human health and ecosystems (Naidoo & Olaniran ) These adverse effects could be reduced by a combination of physicochemical and biological methods in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). These facilities are designed to mitigate the environmental and health hazards of polluted water, and make it suitable for various activities (Lood et al ; Manaia et al ) Despite these achievements, WWTPs are widely regarded as hotspots for the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB). Recent data on extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria and associated genes from untreated hospital wastewater (Adelowo et al ) provide evidence that wastewater could be a potential reservoir for ARB This portends a risk to public health as ARB and resistance genes could be disseminated through this medium to humans, animals and the environment. This study examined the occurrence of antibiotic-resistant staphylococci and their resistance genes from the WWTP and grey-water samples in Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Nigeria
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