Are we correctly targeting the research on disinfection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB)?

• Published in: Journal of cleaner production Vol. 320; p. 128865
• Main Authors: Herraiz-Carboné, Miguel, Cotillas, Salvador, Lacasa, Engracia, Sainz de Baranda, Caridad, Riquelme, Eva, Cañizares, Pablo, Rodrigo, Manuel A., Sáez, Cristina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 20.10.2021
• Subjects: Antibiotic-resistant bacteria; Disinfection; Hospital urine; Wastewater; Disinfection; Antibiotic-resistant bacteria; Wastewater; Hospital urine
• ISSN: 0959-6526; 1879-1786
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.128865

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) is one of the biggest public health challenges of our time since causes thousands of human deaths per year. ARB are bacteria which acquire resistance over time through different mechanism and no longer respond to antibiotics. Numerous bacteria and hydrophilic antibiotics are mainly excreted in patients' urine from sanitary facilities that are directly discharge into municipal sewers. The inefficiency of conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) for killing ARB leads to their spread in the natural water sources. In this work, a statistical study of the main microorganisms contained in patients’ urines with urinary tract infections (UTIs) was analysed using the data supplied from the microbiology and parasitology service in the university hospital complex of Albacete (Spain). A total of 14,368 urine samples were analysed on five hospital units (geriatrics, haematology, oncology, reanimation, and intensive care unit (ICU)) from 2014 to 2018. A chi-square (X2) study demonstrated the female prevalence to suffer UTIs in geriatrics, oncology and reanimation units. In addition, the analysis of ARB producing extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ARBESBLs), carbapenemase-producing bacteria (ARBCPB) and methicillin-resistant Staphyloccocus aureus (ARBMRSA) were also evaluated. Finally, the literature related to the disinfection of the main ARB previously found in hospital urine was analysed to evaluate the importance given to ARB from an environmental scientific viewpoint. •Escherichia coli is the most common bacterium detected in infected patients.•Klebsiella pneumoniae shows the higher presence of antibiotic resistance in hospital urine.•Literature reported on disinfection technologies is mainly related to the removal of E. coli.