Prevalence of a carbapenem-resistance gene (KPC), vancomycin-resistance genes (van A/B) and a methicillin-resistance gene (mecA) in hospital and municipal sewage in a southwestern province of Saudi Arabia

BMC Res Notes. 2018 Jan 15;11(1):30. doi: 10.1186/s13104-018-3167-2.

Abstract

Objective: According to the World Health Organization, the increasing antibiotic resistance of pathogens is one of the most important threats to human health. Prevalence of a carbapenem-resistance gene (KPC), vancomycin-resistance genes (van A/B) and a methicillin-resistance gene (mecA) in hospital and municipal sewages will be potential threat to public health.

Results: Vancomycin-resistance genes were detected in the sewage of community tank-II, sewage tank of the tertiary and general hospital. Carbapenem-resistance gene was detected in sewage of community tank-II and sewage from tertiary hospital. Methicillin-resistance gene was detected in sewage of community tank-II, sewage from a fish market sewage tank and sewage from an animal slaughter house sewage tank. The detection of a KPC, van A/B and a mecA in sewages will help further the process to take the appropriate measures to prevent the spread of such bacteria in the environment.

Keywords: Carbapenem-resistance gene; Methicillin resistance gene; Sewage; Vancomycin-resistance genes.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Carbapenems / pharmacology
  • Carbon-Oxygen Ligases / genetics
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / genetics*
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / genetics*
  • Hospitals
  • Humans
  • Methicillin Resistance / genetics
  • Prevalence
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Sewage / microbiology*
  • Vancomycin Resistance / genetics*
  • beta-Lactam Resistance / genetics*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Carbapenems
  • Sewage
  • VanA ligase, Bacteria
  • Carbon-Oxygen Ligases