High superbug load in Delhi environment posing public health risks: Study

High levels of antibioticresistant superbugs in both indoor and outdoor environments in Delhi are posing public health risks according to a studyAirborne microbial contamination especially involving antibioticresistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes poses a growing public health concern in urban environmentsThe study by researchers at the Jawaharlal Nehru University explored the prevalence and diversity of staphylococci including methicillinresistant staphylococci MRS in bioaerosols from various urban settings in Delhi IndiaIndoor and outdoor air samples showed significantly high staphylococcal loads far above the WHOrsquos recommended limit for microbial exposureSeasonal variations revealed a peak in airborne MRS during winter while monsoon rains reduced outdoor bioaerosol contaminationThe study assessed the prevalence and diversity of staphylococci in bioaerosols from various urban environments in Delhi including Vasant Vihar Urban Slum VVUS Munirka Market Complex MMC Munirka Apartment MA and the Sewage Treatment Plant at Jawaharlal Nehru University STP JNUldquoEight staphylococcal species were identified with Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus arlettae being the most prevalent human and animalassociated species respectivelyrdquo said the researchers Himani Kumari and Madhuri Singh from JNUrsquos School of Environmental Sciences in the paperNotably 73 per cent of MRS isolates exhibited multidrug resistance MDR showing resistance to macrolides betalactams and other commonly used antibioticsGenotypic analysis confirmed the presence of ARGs among airborne MRS encoding resistance for betalactam trimethoprim gentamicin macrolides chloramphenicol and lincosamidesNotably 14 out of 36 MDR isolates carried the mecA gene encoding for methicillin resistanceldquoThis study emphasises the potential health risks posed by airborne reservoirs of antibiotic resistance in urban environments and underscores the urgent need for comprehensive environmental AMR surveillance to develop effective mitigation strategiesrdquo the team saidThe study highlights the critical need for comprehensive monitoring and reporting on environmental AMR including both antibioticresistant bacteria and their associated genetic markersldquoSuch efforts are essential to accurately assess the scope of the AMR threat and to inform the development of integrated action plans aimed at mitigating the growing challenges posed by AMR in urban settingsrdquo the researchers saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever