Hospital effluents as sources of antibiotics residues, resistant bacteria and heavy metals in Benin

Abstract This study aims to evaluate the bacteriological, chemical, and toxicological quality of hospital effluents in Benin. Eighteen (18) samples were collected from south north Benin, poles set up. Bacteriological analysis was carried out according French National Organization for Standardization (AFNOR) standard. Identification bacterial species isolated performed using API 20E gallery specific biochemical tests. Antibiotic residues searched by following ELISA kit instructions. 109 isolates obtained, with a predominance non-enterobacteria (37.7%) Acinetobacter spp. (24.6%), followed Klebsiella (11.48%); S. aureus Coagulase-negative staphylococci ( CoNS ) at same frequency (6.5%). Physico-chemical parameter analyses showed that they conformity standards discharge into environment. The pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, total solids below, P-redox suspended measured were, on average, 6.83, 27.21 °C, 693.68 µS/cm, mg/l, 1.68 mV 0.15 respectively. For heavy metals, cadmium most prevalent (0.22 mg/l), nickel (0.18 mg/l) lead (0.03 mg/l). average antibiotic residue concentrations ranged 0.043 7.65 µg/l. Ciprofloxacin, metronidazole sulfamethoxazole had highest ± 2.272 µg/l, 6.61 0.051 µg/l 3.88 3.088 metal obtained below those required Benin standards. These therefore present health environmental risks. It is then more than necessary develop treatment methods them before their rejection natural