Human excrement pollutes urban water causing the spread of "super bacteria"

Researchers studied water bodies in cities and rural areas in three regions of Bangladesh-Mymensingh, Shariatpur and Dhaka

Researchers from the University of Birmingham and the Bangladesh International Research Center for Diarrheal Diseases published their findings in mSystems today, and they called for further research to quantify the drivers of antibiotic resistance in Bangladesh's surface waters

The study’s first author and Professor of Microbiology and Infection at the University of Birmingham William Van Schek commented: “The rivers and lakes in Dhaka are surrounded by densely populated slums, and human feces are directly discharged into the water

“Therefore, interventions aimed at improving access to clean water, sanitation and sewage treatment infrastructure may be important to reduce the risk of antimicrobial resistance spreading in Bangladesh and other low- and middle-income countries

The prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that cause infections is increasing globally, but the clinical problems caused by these bacteria, including significant morbidity and mortality, are particularly worrying in low- and middle-income countries

Dhaka has a population of approximately 16 million and its population density is the highest among all megacities, but less than 20% of households are directly connected to sewer infrastructure

The research team found that the surface water of Bangladesh's cities is particularly rich in antibiotic resistance genes, and the number of genes related to plasmids is relatively large, indicating that they are more likely to spread among people

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria that live in human intestines can enter rivers, lakes, and coastal areas through untreated wastewater discharge, overflow of pit toilets during the monsoon season, or open defecation

These contaminated environments are often used for bathing, washing clothes, and food preparation equipment, thus increasing the risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria colonizing the human intestines

Journal Reference :

1. Ross Stuart McInnes, Md Hassan uz-Zaman, Imam Taskin Alam, Siu Fung Stanley Ho, Robert A.