Meta-analysis of the reduction of antibiotic-sensitive and antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli as a result of low- and medium-pressure UV lamps

Abstract

It is vital that harmful bacteria are removed from water and wastewater treatment plants to prevent human/environmental exposure. This paper examines the log reduction of antibiotic-sensitive (AS) and antibiotic-resistant (AR) Escherichia coli (E. coli) as a result of low-pressure (LP) and medium-pressure (MP) UV lamps. A meta-analysis was performed and a mixed-effect model was created in which 303 data points on the log reduction of E. coli from UV treatment were collected. The results show that in order to achieve a 6 log reduction using an MP lamp, on average a UV level of 7.3 mJ/cm for AS E. coli and 7.5 mJ/cm for AR E. coli were required. Using an LP lamp, a UV level of 8.1 mJ/cm for AS E. coli and 8.4 mJ/cm for AR E. coli were required. The results show there is no significant difference between the inactivation of AR and AS E. coli at different UV levels. The model predicts that AR or AS E. coli will be inactivated at UV levels lower than the recommended UV operation conditions (40 mJ/cm), but it is important to use this UV level to inactivate other harmful microorganisms.

Understanding human health risks caused by antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) in water environments: Current knowledge and questions to be answered

“…For low-pressure lamps, 8.1 mJ/cm 2 UV was required for antibiotic sensitive E. coli and 8.4 mJ/cm 2 UV for antibiotic resistant E. coli. The study confirmed there was no statistical difference between the inactivation of antibiotic sensitive and resistant E. coli by UV and supports the idea that the behavior of ARB may be similar to antibiotic susceptible bacteria (O'Flaherty, Membr e, & Cummins, 2018).…”

Integration of ozonation with water treatment for pharmaceuticals removal from Arroio Diluvio in southern Brazil

“…Several causes are involved in the appearance of drugs in environmental matrices. Overuse, misuse and incomplete therapeutic treatments are the main factors generally related to this increase (O'Flaherty et al 2017). Another can be eliminated via excretion, in the unmodified form (original drug) and as metabolites, which can be converted into other transformation products, both by metabolism and by degradation processes (Kümmerer et al 2016;Zhang et al 2016).…”

Sanitary sewage disinfection with ultraviolet radiation and ultrasound

“…Studies indicate the inactivation of enteric bacteria, viruses, bacterial spores, and protozoan cysts and oocysts as an effective technique for disinfecting wastewater, especially for water reuse and recovery (Oliveira et al 2008 ; Liang et al 2013 ; O´Flaherty et al 2017 ).…”