Unveiling microbial risks: isolation and characterization of bacteria from hospital wastewater in hevellian | [International Journal of Biology and Biotechnology • 2025]

Author(s):

1. Fahim Ullah: Department of Microbiology, Abbottabad University of Science and Technology, Abbottabad, Pakistan

2. Waseem Sajjad: Department of Microbiology, Abbottabad University of Science and Technology, Abbottabad, Pakistan

3. Imaan Fatima: Department of Microbiology, Abbottabad University of Science and Technology, Abbottabad, Pakistan

4. Maryum Jamil: Department of Microbiology, Abbottabad University of Science and Technology, Abbottabad, Pakistan

5. Rizwan Ullah: Department of Microbiology, Abbottabad University of Science and Technology, Abbottabad, Pakistan

6. Shafiq Ur Rahman: Department of Microbiology, Abbottabad University of Science and Technology, Abbottabad, Pakistan

7. Kaleem Ullah: Department of Microbiology, Abbottabad University of Science and Technology, Abbottabad, Pakistan

8. Jawad Zahir: Department of Microbiology, Hazara University, Mansehra, Pakistan

9. Zia Ullah: Department of Microbiology, Abbottabad University of Science and Technology, Abbottabad, Pakistan

Abstract:

Hospital wastewater serves as a complex reservoir of microbial communities influenced by diverse sources including patient excretions, medical procedures, and cleaning practices within healthcare facilities. Upon collection, hospital wastewater samples undergo rigorous processing and analysis to isolate and identify bacterial species. The current study focus on isolation and identification of bacteria from hospital wastewater. Samples of hospital wastewater were collected from various public and private hospitals in Havelian, Abbottabad. Bacterial growth was identified by using different biochemical tests and Gram staining techniques. A total of 30 samples were analyzed using a combination of microscopy, Gram staining, and biochemical tests (oxidase, catalase, coagulase and other additional test). The findings indicated that most of the isolates (18/30) were Gram-positive rod-shaped bacteria, indicating a prevalence of this type of bacteria in hospital wastewater. The biochemical tests revealed a range of positive and negative results, indicating diversity among the isolates. The positive results for oxidase, catalase, and coagulase suggest the presence of enzymes that enable bacteria to survive and thrive in wastewater environments. The test results indicate the potential presence of enteric bacteria, which is a concern for public health. Findings of this study have implications for wastewater treatment and management in healthcare settings.

Page(s): 397-401

DOI: DOI not available

Published: Journal: International Journal of Biology and Biotechnology, Volume: 22, Issue: 2, Year: 2025

Keywords:

bacteria , pathogen , bacteria , Hospital wastewater , Gram staining

References:

[1] Ghenghesh N. M.,Saed A.,El-Ghodban A.,Rahouma S.,Abeid S. .2001 .Dirty money: toxigenic and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from used bank notes, Jamahiriya Med. , 1 : 54-56.

[2] Katz D. S. .2010 .Coagulase test protocol. , : .

[3] Kour G.,Kothari R.,Singh H. M.,Pathania D.,Dhar S. .2021 .Microbial leaching for valuable metals harvesting: versatility for the bioeconomy. Environmental Sustainability, 4 : 215-229.

[4] Oppong H.,Yang C.,Amponsem-Boateng G.,Duan G. .1964 .Hand hygiene habits of Ghanaian youths in Accra. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16 : .

[5] Parida V. K.,Sikarwar D.,Majumder A.,Gupta A. K. .2022 .An assessment of hospital wastewater and biomedical waste generation, existing legislations, risk assessment, treatment processes, and scenario during COVID-19. , 308 : 114609.

[6] Pradenas L.,Fuentes M.,Parada V. .2020 .Optimizing waste storage areas in health care centers. Annals of Operations Research, 295 : 503-16.

[7] Reiner K. .2010 .Catalase test protocol. , 1 : 1-9.

[8] Saadabi A. M.,Ali L. F,Omer A. B.,Ahmed and R. K Al Asa G. A. .2011 .Isolation and Identification of Pathogenic Bacteria and Fungi from Some Sudanese Banknote Currency. J. Applied Sciences Research, 7 : 129-33.

[9] Shields P.,L. Cathcart. P. .2010 .Oxidase test protocol. , 4 : 1-9.

[10] Ullah F.,Zahir J.,Waqar A.,Aziz Y.,Rehman S.,Ullah K.,Haq Q. S.,Ullah Z. .2025 .Unseen threats in circulation: pathogenic bacteria and antibiotic resistance on Pakistani currency notes. Indus Journal of Bioscience Research, 3 : 579-87.

Citations

Downloads

Views