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Incidence of Co-Resistance to Antibiotics and Chlorine in Bacterial Biofilm of Hospital Water Systems: Insights Into the Risk of Nosocomial Infections Publisher Pubmed



Mehdipour M1, 2 ; Gholipour S1 ; Mohammadi F1 ; Hatamzadeh M1 ; Nikaeen M1, 3
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
  2. 2. Student Research Committee, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
  3. 3. Environment Research Center, Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Source: Journal of Infection and Public Health Published:2023


Abstract

The presence of biofilms in drinking water distribution systems (DWDS) in healthcare settings poses a considerable risk to the biological security of water, particularly when the biofilm bacteria demonstrate antimicrobial resistance characteristics. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) in biofilms within DWDS of hospitals. The chlorine resistance of the isolated ARB was analyzed, and then chlorine-resistant bacteria (CRB) were identified using molecular methods. Additionally, the presence of several antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) was monitored in the isolated ARB. Out of the 41 biofilm samples collected from hospitals, ARB were detected in 32 (78%) of the samples. A total of 109 colonies of ARB were isolated from DWDS of hospitals, with β-lactam resistant bacteria, including ceftazidime-resistant and ampicillin-resistant bacteria, being the most frequently isolated ARB. Analyzing of ARGs revealed the highest detection of aac6, followed by sul1 gene. However, the β-lactamase genes blaCTX-M and blaTEM were not identified in the ARB, suggesting the presence of other β-lactamase genes not included in the tested panel. Exposure of ARB to free chlorine at a concentration of 0.5 mg/l showed that 64% of the isolates were CRB. However, increasing the chlorine concentration to 4 mg/l decreased the high fraction of ARB (91%). The domi‌‌nant CRB identified were Sphingomonas, Brevundimonas, Stenotrophomonas, Bacillus and Staphylococcus with Bacillus exhibiting the highest frequency. The results highlight the potential risk of biofilm formation in the DWDS of hospitals, leading to the dissemination of ARB in hospital environments, which is a great concern for the health of hospitalized patients, especially vulnerable individuals. Surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in DWDS of hospitals can provide valuable insights for shaping antimicrobial use policies and practices that ensure their efficacy. © 2023 The Authors
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