The hospital sink drain microbiome as a melting pot for AMR transmission to nosocomial pathogens
Abstract The hospital sink drain microbiome can harbour opportunistic pathogens and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). Aspects of this habitat, such as exposure to disinfectants, antibiotics, nutrients, and body fluids could exacerbate horizontal gene transfer of ARGs and clinically impactful pa...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| Series: | npj Antimicrobials and Resistance |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s44259-025-00137-9 |
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| author | Gregory E. McCallum James P. J. Hall |
| author_facet | Gregory E. McCallum James P. J. Hall |
| author_sort | Gregory E. McCallum |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The hospital sink drain microbiome can harbour opportunistic pathogens and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). Aspects of this habitat, such as exposure to disinfectants, antibiotics, nutrients, and body fluids could exacerbate horizontal gene transfer of ARGs and clinically impactful pathogen resistance. Here, we explore features of the hospital sink drain that may favour ARG acquisition and transmission, highlight studies providing evidence of transfer, and consider strategies to mitigate these risks. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ad7720289ed74adabce9fdbf7ebd8325 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2731-8745 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | npj Antimicrobials and Resistance |
| spelling | doaj-art-ad7720289ed74adabce9fdbf7ebd83252025-08-20T04:02:50ZengNature Portfolionpj Antimicrobials and Resistance2731-87452025-07-01311810.1038/s44259-025-00137-9The hospital sink drain microbiome as a melting pot for AMR transmission to nosocomial pathogensGregory E. McCallum0James P. J. Hall1Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of LiverpoolDepartment of Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of LiverpoolAbstract The hospital sink drain microbiome can harbour opportunistic pathogens and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). Aspects of this habitat, such as exposure to disinfectants, antibiotics, nutrients, and body fluids could exacerbate horizontal gene transfer of ARGs and clinically impactful pathogen resistance. Here, we explore features of the hospital sink drain that may favour ARG acquisition and transmission, highlight studies providing evidence of transfer, and consider strategies to mitigate these risks.https://doi.org/10.1038/s44259-025-00137-9 |
| spellingShingle | Gregory E. McCallum James P. J. Hall The hospital sink drain microbiome as a melting pot for AMR transmission to nosocomial pathogens npj Antimicrobials and Resistance |
| title | The hospital sink drain microbiome as a melting pot for AMR transmission to nosocomial pathogens |
| title_full | The hospital sink drain microbiome as a melting pot for AMR transmission to nosocomial pathogens |
| title_fullStr | The hospital sink drain microbiome as a melting pot for AMR transmission to nosocomial pathogens |
| title_full_unstemmed | The hospital sink drain microbiome as a melting pot for AMR transmission to nosocomial pathogens |
| title_short | The hospital sink drain microbiome as a melting pot for AMR transmission to nosocomial pathogens |
| title_sort | hospital sink drain microbiome as a melting pot for amr transmission to nosocomial pathogens |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s44259-025-00137-9 |
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