Multiple drug resistance and biocide resistance in environmental isolates from hospital and household settings.

BACKGROUND

Antibiotic resistance of environmental in hospitals could be increased due to extensive use of biocides resulting in serious infections. In this study, the prevalence of antibiotic resistance of environmental isolates of from hospitals and household settings were evaluated and compared. In addition, the association between biocide minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and multiple drug resistance (MDR) was investigated.

METHODS

Environmental samples were collected from different homes and hospitals in Amman, Jordan. The isolates were identified phenotypically and by PCR. Antibiotic susceptibility tests and MIC of selected biocides were performed on the isolates. Screening for CTX-M group 1 was also performed.

RESULTS

Of 21 strains isolated, 47.6% were MDR and 67.9% were phenotypically identified as extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producers. The occurrence of these ESBL isolates was comparable between household and hospital settings ( > 0.05). The MIC values of the biocides tested against all isolates were well below the in-use concentration of biocides. Moreover, the MICs of biocides were comparable between isolates from households and those from hospitals ( > 0.05). No association was found between MDR and biocide MIC (P > 0.05). Most of ESBL isolates harboured CTX-M 1.

CONCLUSIONS

The extensive use of biocides in hospitals is not associated with MDR nor does it affect the MIC of biocides against .