Risk factors associated with carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) positivity in the hospital wastewater environment.

This study was conducted at a hospital with endemic KPCO linked to wastewater reservoirs and robust patient perirectal screening for silent KPCO carriage. Over five months, both rooms occupied and not occupied by KPCO-positive patients were sampled at three wastewater sites within each room (sink drain, sink P-trap, and toilet or hopper). Risk factors for KPCO positivity were assessed using logistic regression. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) identified environmental seeding by KPCO-positive patients.Findings: 219/475(46%) room sampling events were KPCO-positive in at least one wastewater site. KPCO-positive patient exposure was associated with increased risk of environmental positivity for the room and toilet/hopper. Previous positivity and intensive care unit room type were consistently associated with increased risk. Tube feeds were associated with increased risk for the drain, while exposure to patients with Clostridioides difficile was associated with decreased risk. Urinary catheter exposure was associated with increased risk of P-trap positivity. P-trap heaters reduced risk of P-trap and sink drain positivity. WGS identified genomically linked environmental seeding in six of 99 room occupations by 40 KPCO-positive patients.Interpretation: KPCO-positive patients seed the environment in at least 6% of opportunities; once positive for KPCO, wastewater sites are at greater risk of being positive subsequently. Increased nutrient exposure, e.g. due to tube food disposal down s...
Source: Applied and Environmental Microbiology - Category: Microbiology Authors: Tags: Appl Environ Microbiol Source Type: research