Journal
WATER RESEARCH
Volume 43, Issue 4, Pages 925-932Publisher
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2008.11.036
Keywords
Methicillin-resistant; Staphylococcus aureus; mecA; LUX (TM) real-time PCR; spa Typing; Wastewater treatment plant; Seasonal study
Funding
- Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agriculture Science and Spatial Planning [245-2005-860]
- Medical Research Council of South Eastern Sweden (FORSS)
- Anders Otto Swards/Ulrika Eklunds Stiftelse
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The spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), in which the mecA gene mediates resistance, threatens the treatment of staphylococcal diseases. The aims were to determine the effect of wastewater treatment processes on mecA gene concentrations, and the prevalence of S. aureus and MRSA over time. To achieve this a municipal wastewater treatment plant was investigated for the mecA gene, S. aureus and MRSA, using real-time PCR assays. Water samples were collected monthly for one year, at eight sites in the plant, reflecting different aspects of the treatment process. The mecA gene and S. aureus could be detected throughout the year at all sampling sites. MRSA could also be detected, but mainly in the early treatment steps. The presence of MRSA was verified through cultivation from inlet water. The concentration of the mecA gene varied between months and sampling sites, but no obvious seasonal variation could be determined. The wastewater treatment process reduced the mecA gene concentration in most months. Taken together our results show that the mecA gene, S. aureus and MRSA occur over the year at all sites investigated. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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