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Journal Article > Short Report

Assessing changes in bacterial load and antibiotic resistance in the Legon sewage treatment plant between 2018 and 2023 in Accra, Ghana

Adjei RL, Adomako LAB, Korang-Labi A, Avornyo FK, Timire C, Larbi RO, Kubasari C, Ackon SED, Reid AJ
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Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants are efficient in reducing bacterial loads but are also considered potential drivers of environmental antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In this study, we determined the effect of increased influent wastewater volume (from 40% to 66%) in the Legon sewage treatment plant (STP) on the removal of E. coli from sewage, along with changes in AMR profiles. This before and after study compared E. coli loads and AMR patterns in influent and effluent samples from a published baseline study (January–June 2018) with a follow-up study (March–May 2023). Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) E. coli were measured pre- and post-sewage treatment during the follow-up study. The follow-up study showed 7.4% and 24% ESBL E. coli proportions in influent and effluent, respectively. In both studies, the STP was 99% efficient in reducing E. coli loads in effluents, with no significant difference (p = 0.42) between the two periods. More E. coli resistance to antimicrobials was seen in effluents in the follow-up study versus the baseline study. The increased influent capacity did not reduce the efficiency of the STP in removing E. coli from influent wastewater but was associated with increased AMR patterns in effluent water. Further studies are required to determine whether these changes have significant effects on human health.
Countries
Ghana
Subject Area
antibiotic resistancewater and sanitationSORT-ITantimicrobial resistance
DOI
10.3390/tropicalmed8090427
Published Date
28-Aug-2023
PubMed ID
37755889
Languages
English
Journal
Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease
Volume / Issue / Pages
Volume 8, Issue 9, Pages 427
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