Version 1: Detection of clinically relevant antibiotic resistant bacteria in shared fomites, waste water, and municipal solid wastes disposed in vicinity of residential areas of Nigerian Urban City

Studies on environmental hotspots of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are scanty in Nigeria. A study was designed to assess different environmental wastes and shared fomites for carrying ARB and ARGs of public health concern. A total of 392 samples which include sewage (36), sludge (36), diapers (20), plastics (20), water sachet polythene bags (20), food wastes (20), soil under dump sites (20), and fomites which include restroom floors (80), corridors (24), door handles (56) and room floor and walls (60) were collected and screened for harboring resistant bacteria carrying bla_KPC, bla_NDM-1, bla_CMY-2, bla_IMP, blaoxa66 and MecA resistance genes. Further, methicillin resistance Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and extended spectrum β-lactamase producing Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii were detected using standard techniques. The efficacy of routine disinfection procedures in the elimination of ARB from restroom floors was also evaluated. Sewage, sludge, diapers, food wastes, and restroom floors, are frequently contaminated with high and moderate resistant E. coli, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa and MRSA. Two bla_OXA51-like gene variants (bla_OXA-66 & bla_OXA-180) were identified in A. baumannii recovered from the wastes and shared fomites. Seven ESBL-K. pneumoniae, 5 ESBL-A. baumannii, 2 ESBL-E. coli and 1 ESBL- P. aeruginosa, harboring one or more ARGs (bla_KPC, bla_NDM-1, bla_CMY-2) were detected from isolates colonizing sewage, sludge, restroom floors, and plastics. ARB persisted in restroom floors after disinfection procedures. Environmental wastes indiscriminately discharged within residential areas and fomites shared among people are highly colonized with ARB that harbors ARGs of public health importance.