R plasmids in enterobacteriaceae from the hospital environment

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Environmental Health

Background:

• R plasmids, conferring antibiotic resistance, are prevalent in Enterobacteriaceae within hospital environments.
• Enteropathogenic bacteria carrying R factors pose a significant threat in healthcare settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the presence and potential sources of R-plasmid-carrying Enterobacteriaceae in a hospital environment.
• To determine if environmental isolates are linked to nosocomial infections in newborns.

Main Methods:

• Isolation and identification of Enterobacteriaceae strains from various hospital sources, including baby care items, baby food, hospital wastewater, and surrounding surface water.
• Detection of R plasmids in isolated bacterial strains.

Main Results:

• R-plasmid-carrying, enteropathogenic Escherichia coli strains were isolated from baby care items and pre-prepared baby food in a newborn unit.
• Identical strains were implicated in nosocomial gastroenteritis among infants.
• R-plasmid-carrying Salmonella typhimurium and Proteus strains were isolated from hospital wastewater, associated with gastrointestinal and urological infections.
• R-factor-carrying E. coli strains were also found in surface water near the hospital.

Conclusions:

• Hospitals serve as reservoirs for antibiotic-resistant Enterobacteriaceae.
• Environmental contamination with R-plasmid-carrying bacteria originating from hospitals is a concern.
• Effective waste management and infection control are crucial to mitigate the spread of resistant bacteria.