Untreated hospital wastewater could drive antimicrobial resistance in low-income countries

Hospital drains and septic tanks are providing the conditions for antimicrobial resistance to flourish in low-income countries, data from Benin and Burkina Faso suggests. Genetic analysis of the bacteria living in these pipes and vessels suggests they are exchanging antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes with one another, while inadequate wastewater treatment risks transferring these organisms to people in the wider community and the produce they consume.

The results highlight the need to increase wastewater treatment capacity in developing countries, with particular attention to wastewater from hospitals.