Disinfection of polymicrobial urines by electrochemical oxidation: Removal of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials Vol. 426; p. 128028
• Main Authors: Herraiz-Carboné, Miguel, Cotillas, Salvador, Lacasa, Engracia, Vasileva, Marina, Sainz de Baranda, Caridad, Riquelme, Eva, Cañizares, Pablo, Sáez, Cristina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 15.03.2022
• Subjects: Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Antibiotic resistance genes; Antibiotic-resistant bacteria; Bacteria - genetics; Disinfection; Drug Resistance, Microbial - genetics; Electrochemical disinfection; Genes, Bacterial; Hospital; Humans; Urine; Waste Water; Urine; Antibiotic-resistant bacteria; Hospital; Electrochemical disinfection; Antibiotic resistance genes
• ISSN: 0304-3894; 1873-3336
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.128028

In this work, data obtained from the University Hospital Complex of Albacete (Spain) were selected as a case study to carry out the disinfection experiments. To do this, different configurations of electrochemical reactors were tested for the disinfection of complex urines. Results showed that 4–6 logs bacterial removal were achieved for every bacterium tested when working with a microfluidic flow-through reactor after 180 min (0.423 Ah dm−3). The MIKROZON® cell reached a total disinfection after 60 min (1.212 Ah dm−3), causing severe damages induced in the cell walls observed in SEM images. The concentration profiles of the electrogenerated disinfectants in solution could explain the differences observed. Additionally, a mean decrease in the ARGs concentration ranked as follows: blaKPC (4.18-logs) > blaTEM (3.96-logs) > ermB (3.23-logs) using the MIKROZON® cell. This electro-ozonizer could be considered as a suitable alternative to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance spread. Hence, this study provides an insight into different electrochemical reactors for the disinfection of complex hospital urine matrices and contributes to reduce the spread of antibiotic resistance through the elimination of ARGs. A topic of great importance nowadays that needs to be further studied. [Display omitted] •Pathogens causing biological risks are evaluated in real complex hospital urines.•E. coli and E. faecalis are the most prevalent pairs of bacteria in complex urines.•MIKROZON® cell offers log reductions of 4.18 (blaKPC), 3.96 (blaTEM), 3.23 (ermB).•Electrogenerated ozone induces the integrity loss of bacterial structures.