Sewage sludge as a source of triclosan-resistant bacteria

Abstract Subinhibitory concentrations of antibiotics and biocides in wastewaters and sewage sludge have a great impact on the development of antibiotic resistance and its spread among bacteria. The aim of this work was to determine the occurrence of coliform bacteria and enterococci resistant to biocide triclosan in samples of sewage sludge. Subsequently, isolated strains of coliform bacteria were identified and characterized in terms of their antibiotic susceptibility and ability to form a biofilm. Occurrence of the studied bacteria was monitored in three samples of stabilized sludge from three different wastewater treatment plants (Vrakuňa, Petržalka, and Senec). The number of triclosan-resistant coliforms was the highest in the sludge sample from the wastewater treatment plant in Senec and the lowest in the sludge sample from the wastewater treatment plant in Petržalka. Triclosan-resistant Enterococcus spp. were not found in any sample of stabilized sludge. Most isolates were identified as Citrobacter freundii and Serratia spp. Triclosan-resistant isolates showed also resistance to antibiotics and the majority of them were strong biofilm producers.