Prevalence and antibiogram of Escherichia coli species isolated from hospital wastewater and the receiving stream in Owo, Ondo State

Abstract

Wastewater effluent from tertiary hospital is a significant reservoir of pathogenic organisms and can contribute immensely to the toxicity  of receiving water bodies if not adequately treated before discharge. This current study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence and  antibiogram profile of pathogenic Escherichia coli isolates recovered from wastewater samples collected from different wards of a  tertiary hospital in Owo and the receiving stream. A total of 76 presumptive E. coli isolates was confirmed biochemically, of which 60 were randomly selected and screened by molecular technique. Thirty-eight (38) of the isolates were confirmed using polymerase chain  reaction (PCR). High resistance was recorded against meropenem, amikacin, ceftazidime followed by ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin and  gentamicin. However, 100% susceptibility to tetracyclines, cotrimoxazole and vancomycin was likewise recorded. Three predominant  antimicrobial resistance patterns detected were comprised ; GEN-CRX-CHL-CTR-CTX-CIP-CPZ-AMK-MEM with multiple antibiotic resistance  (MAR) index of 0.75, CPX-CTR-CTX-CIP-CPZ-AMK-MEM with MAR index of 0.60 and GENCTX-CIP-CPZ-AMK-MEM with MAR index  of 0.50. The study concludes that effluents discharged from the tertiary hospital serves as a reservoir for antibiotic-resistant E. coli. The  MAR index values are of great public health significance, hence the need to regularly monitor and evaluate hospital effluent discharges  and ensure proper treatment before being discharged into the environment