Detection and analysis of drug and disinfectant resistance genes in the sewage of a center for disease control and prevention

Abstract

Purpose: Sewage is a significant reservoir for drug and disinfectant resistance genes and a medium for dissemination. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of drug and disinfectant resistance genes in the sewage of a Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and to assess the risks of their dissemination. Methods: Sewage from a CDC in Hangzhou was collected, filtered, and enriched, and its microorganisms were cultured. The isolated bacteria were identified, and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined. The drug and disinfectant resistance genes in the sewage and bacteria were detected through polymerase chain reaction amplification. Results: Three kinds of bacteria were isolated from the sewage sample. The MIC for Sphingomonas and Staphylococcus xylosus against chlorine-containing disinfectants was 250 mg/L, whereas the MIC for Bacillus firmus was 500 mg/L. The β-lactam resistance gene TEM and the disinfectant resistance gene qacA were positive in the bacteria, whereas the β-lactam resistance genes TEM, SHV, and VIM-1, the tetracycline resistance gene tetM, the aminoglycoside resistance genes aac(6’)/aph(2′) and aph3′-III, and the disinfectant resistance genes qacA, qacE, and qacEΔ1 were positive in the sewage. Conclusion: Drug and disinfectant resistance genes were found in the sewage of a CDC and were associated with bacteria. Thus, optimizing the monitoring and treatment of sewage is crucial.