Microbiological Risks to Health Associated with the Release of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and β-Lactam Antibiotics Through Hospital Wastewater

Hospital wastewater (HWW) is a major source of microbiological contamination, often released into the municipal sewage system without prior treatment. This HWW may contain pathogens with antimicrobial resistance, posing risks to public health. The aim of this work was to assess the risks associated...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Andres E. Nolasco-Rojas, Eder Cruz-Del-Agua, Clemente Cruz-Cruz, Miguel Ángel Loyola-Cruz, Benjamín A. Ayil-Gutiérrez, María C. Tamayo-Ordóñez, Yahaira de J. Tamayo-Ordoñez, Araceli Rojas-Bernabé, Francisco A. Tamayo-Ordoñez, Emilio M. Durán-Manuel, Marianela Paredes-Mendoza, Laura M. Márquez-Valdelamar, Carlos A. Jiménez-Zamarripa, Esther Ocharan-Hernández, Paola B. Zárate-Segura, Omar García-Hernández, Oscar Sosa-Hernández, Enzo Vásquez-Jiménez, Claudia C. Calzada-Mendoza, Juan M. Bello-López
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Pathogens
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/5/402
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849327241832431616
author Andres E. Nolasco-Rojas
Eder Cruz-Del-Agua
Clemente Cruz-Cruz
Miguel Ángel Loyola-Cruz
Benjamín A. Ayil-Gutiérrez
María C. Tamayo-Ordóñez
Yahaira de J. Tamayo-Ordoñez
Araceli Rojas-Bernabé
Francisco A. Tamayo-Ordoñez
Emilio M. Durán-Manuel
Marianela Paredes-Mendoza
Laura M. Márquez-Valdelamar
Carlos A. Jiménez-Zamarripa
Esther Ocharan-Hernández
Paola B. Zárate-Segura
Omar García-Hernández
Oscar Sosa-Hernández
Enzo Vásquez-Jiménez
Claudia C. Calzada-Mendoza
Juan M. Bello-López
author_facet Andres E. Nolasco-Rojas
Eder Cruz-Del-Agua
Clemente Cruz-Cruz
Miguel Ángel Loyola-Cruz
Benjamín A. Ayil-Gutiérrez
María C. Tamayo-Ordóñez
Yahaira de J. Tamayo-Ordoñez
Araceli Rojas-Bernabé
Francisco A. Tamayo-Ordoñez
Emilio M. Durán-Manuel
Marianela Paredes-Mendoza
Laura M. Márquez-Valdelamar
Carlos A. Jiménez-Zamarripa
Esther Ocharan-Hernández
Paola B. Zárate-Segura
Omar García-Hernández
Oscar Sosa-Hernández
Enzo Vásquez-Jiménez
Claudia C. Calzada-Mendoza
Juan M. Bello-López
author_sort Andres E. Nolasco-Rojas
collection DOAJ
description Hospital wastewater (HWW) is a major source of microbiological contamination, often released into the municipal sewage system without prior treatment. This HWW may contain pathogens with antimicrobial resistance, posing risks to public health. The aim of this work was to assess the risks associated with the seasonal release of ESKAPE bacteria resistant to β-lactam antibiotics and the release of carbapenems and cephalosporins through HWW of Hospital Juárez de México. The 12-month seasonal variation in β-lactam-resistant bacterial populations was assessed in the HWW of five discharge points. Resistant isolates were identified by mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) coupled with PCR assays to search for antimicrobial resistance genes, while β-lactamic antibiotics were detected using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Finally, a double-entry Vester matrix was constructed to classify the problems of HWW according to their degree of causality. Seasonal differences in bacterial loads were observed, with higher levels in warmer months. A wide variety of resistant pathogens were identified, including ESKAPE bacteria, as well as emerging bacteria carrying β-lactamase-encoding genes. The release of meropenem was detected most commonly, followed by cefepime and ceftazidime. The Vester matrix allowed the identification of critical clinical and environmental scenarios where two discharge points contribute significantly to the spread of microbiological contamination. This study highlights the importance of proper management of HWW and the need for stricter regulations to reduce the risks associated with the release of resistant pathogens with health impacts.
format Article
id doaj-art-50d7f8a816a347799b9926d859ee8d02
institution Kabale University
issn 2076-0817
language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Pathogens
spelling doaj-art-50d7f8a816a347799b9926d859ee8d022025-08-20T03:47:57ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172025-04-0114540210.3390/pathogens14050402Microbiological Risks to Health Associated with the Release of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and β-Lactam Antibiotics Through Hospital WastewaterAndres E. Nolasco-Rojas0Eder Cruz-Del-Agua1Clemente Cruz-Cruz2Miguel Ángel Loyola-Cruz3Benjamín A. Ayil-Gutiérrez4María C. Tamayo-Ordóñez5Yahaira de J. Tamayo-Ordoñez6Araceli Rojas-Bernabé7Francisco A. Tamayo-Ordoñez8Emilio M. Durán-Manuel9Marianela Paredes-Mendoza10Laura M. Márquez-Valdelamar11Carlos A. Jiménez-Zamarripa12Esther Ocharan-Hernández13Paola B. Zárate-Segura14Omar García-Hernández15Oscar Sosa-Hernández16Enzo Vásquez-Jiménez17Claudia C. Calzada-Mendoza18Juan M. Bello-López19Hospital Juárez de México, Mexico City 07760, MexicoHospital Juárez de México, Mexico City 07760, MexicoHospital Juárez de México, Mexico City 07760, MexicoHospital Juárez de México, Mexico City 07760, MexicoSECIHTI-Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Biotecnología Vegetal, Reynosa 88710, MexicoLaboratorio de Ingeniería Genética, Departamento de Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Saltillo 25280, MexicoLaboratorio de Biotecnología Ambiental del Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, MexicoSección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, MexicoFacultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma del Carmen, Ciudad del Carmen 24180, MexicoHospital Juárez de México, Mexico City 07760, MexicoDivisión de Tecnología Ambiental, Universidad Tecnológica de Nezahualcóyotl, Nezahualcóyotl 57000, MexicoLaboratorio de Secuenciación Genómica, LaNaBio, Instituto de Biología, UNAM, Mexico City 04510, MexicoSección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, MexicoSección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, MexicoSección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, MexicoDivisión de Investigación, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 54090, MexicoHospital Juárez de México, Mexico City 07760, MexicoHospital Juárez de México, Mexico City 07760, MexicoSección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, MexicoHospital Juárez de México, Mexico City 07760, MexicoHospital wastewater (HWW) is a major source of microbiological contamination, often released into the municipal sewage system without prior treatment. This HWW may contain pathogens with antimicrobial resistance, posing risks to public health. The aim of this work was to assess the risks associated with the seasonal release of ESKAPE bacteria resistant to β-lactam antibiotics and the release of carbapenems and cephalosporins through HWW of Hospital Juárez de México. The 12-month seasonal variation in β-lactam-resistant bacterial populations was assessed in the HWW of five discharge points. Resistant isolates were identified by mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) coupled with PCR assays to search for antimicrobial resistance genes, while β-lactamic antibiotics were detected using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Finally, a double-entry Vester matrix was constructed to classify the problems of HWW according to their degree of causality. Seasonal differences in bacterial loads were observed, with higher levels in warmer months. A wide variety of resistant pathogens were identified, including ESKAPE bacteria, as well as emerging bacteria carrying β-lactamase-encoding genes. The release of meropenem was detected most commonly, followed by cefepime and ceftazidime. The Vester matrix allowed the identification of critical clinical and environmental scenarios where two discharge points contribute significantly to the spread of microbiological contamination. This study highlights the importance of proper management of HWW and the need for stricter regulations to reduce the risks associated with the release of resistant pathogens with health impacts.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/5/402hospital wastewaterESKAPE bacteriaantimicrobial resistanceantibiotics
spellingShingle Andres E. Nolasco-Rojas
Eder Cruz-Del-Agua
Clemente Cruz-Cruz
Miguel Ángel Loyola-Cruz
Benjamín A. Ayil-Gutiérrez
María C. Tamayo-Ordóñez
Yahaira de J. Tamayo-Ordoñez
Araceli Rojas-Bernabé
Francisco A. Tamayo-Ordoñez
Emilio M. Durán-Manuel
Marianela Paredes-Mendoza
Laura M. Márquez-Valdelamar
Carlos A. Jiménez-Zamarripa
Esther Ocharan-Hernández
Paola B. Zárate-Segura
Omar García-Hernández
Oscar Sosa-Hernández
Enzo Vásquez-Jiménez
Claudia C. Calzada-Mendoza
Juan M. Bello-López
Microbiological Risks to Health Associated with the Release of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and β-Lactam Antibiotics Through Hospital Wastewater
Pathogens
hospital wastewater
ESKAPE bacteria
antimicrobial resistance
antibiotics
title Microbiological Risks to Health Associated with the Release of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and β-Lactam Antibiotics Through Hospital Wastewater
title_full Microbiological Risks to Health Associated with the Release of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and β-Lactam Antibiotics Through Hospital Wastewater
title_fullStr Microbiological Risks to Health Associated with the Release of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and β-Lactam Antibiotics Through Hospital Wastewater
title_full_unstemmed Microbiological Risks to Health Associated with the Release of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and β-Lactam Antibiotics Through Hospital Wastewater
title_short Microbiological Risks to Health Associated with the Release of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and β-Lactam Antibiotics Through Hospital Wastewater
title_sort microbiological risks to health associated with the release of antibiotic resistant bacteria and β lactam antibiotics through hospital wastewater
topic hospital wastewater
ESKAPE bacteria
antimicrobial resistance
antibiotics
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/5/402
work_keys_str_mv AT andresenolascorojas microbiologicalriskstohealthassociatedwiththereleaseofantibioticresistantbacteriaandblactamantibioticsthroughhospitalwastewater
AT edercruzdelagua microbiologicalriskstohealthassociatedwiththereleaseofantibioticresistantbacteriaandblactamantibioticsthroughhospitalwastewater
AT clementecruzcruz microbiologicalriskstohealthassociatedwiththereleaseofantibioticresistantbacteriaandblactamantibioticsthroughhospitalwastewater
AT miguelangelloyolacruz microbiologicalriskstohealthassociatedwiththereleaseofantibioticresistantbacteriaandblactamantibioticsthroughhospitalwastewater
AT benjaminaayilgutierrez microbiologicalriskstohealthassociatedwiththereleaseofantibioticresistantbacteriaandblactamantibioticsthroughhospitalwastewater
AT mariactamayoordonez microbiologicalriskstohealthassociatedwiththereleaseofantibioticresistantbacteriaandblactamantibioticsthroughhospitalwastewater
AT yahairadejtamayoordonez microbiologicalriskstohealthassociatedwiththereleaseofantibioticresistantbacteriaandblactamantibioticsthroughhospitalwastewater
AT aracelirojasbernabe microbiologicalriskstohealthassociatedwiththereleaseofantibioticresistantbacteriaandblactamantibioticsthroughhospitalwastewater
AT franciscoatamayoordonez microbiologicalriskstohealthassociatedwiththereleaseofantibioticresistantbacteriaandblactamantibioticsthroughhospitalwastewater
AT emiliomduranmanuel microbiologicalriskstohealthassociatedwiththereleaseofantibioticresistantbacteriaandblactamantibioticsthroughhospitalwastewater
AT marianelaparedesmendoza microbiologicalriskstohealthassociatedwiththereleaseofantibioticresistantbacteriaandblactamantibioticsthroughhospitalwastewater
AT laurammarquezvaldelamar microbiologicalriskstohealthassociatedwiththereleaseofantibioticresistantbacteriaandblactamantibioticsthroughhospitalwastewater
AT carlosajimenezzamarripa microbiologicalriskstohealthassociatedwiththereleaseofantibioticresistantbacteriaandblactamantibioticsthroughhospitalwastewater
AT estherocharanhernandez microbiologicalriskstohealthassociatedwiththereleaseofantibioticresistantbacteriaandblactamantibioticsthroughhospitalwastewater
AT paolabzaratesegura microbiologicalriskstohealthassociatedwiththereleaseofantibioticresistantbacteriaandblactamantibioticsthroughhospitalwastewater
AT omargarciahernandez microbiologicalriskstohealthassociatedwiththereleaseofantibioticresistantbacteriaandblactamantibioticsthroughhospitalwastewater
AT oscarsosahernandez microbiologicalriskstohealthassociatedwiththereleaseofantibioticresistantbacteriaandblactamantibioticsthroughhospitalwastewater
AT enzovasquezjimenez microbiologicalriskstohealthassociatedwiththereleaseofantibioticresistantbacteriaandblactamantibioticsthroughhospitalwastewater
AT claudiaccalzadamendoza microbiologicalriskstohealthassociatedwiththereleaseofantibioticresistantbacteriaandblactamantibioticsthroughhospitalwastewater
AT juanmbellolopez microbiologicalriskstohealthassociatedwiththereleaseofantibioticresistantbacteriaandblactamantibioticsthroughhospitalwastewater