DETECTION OF VIRULENCE AND ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE GENES IN SOME BACTERIAL ISOLATES FROM DUMPSITES- A REVIEW

Abstract

Dumpsites remain a major environmental and public health concern, particularly in developing countries where inadequate waste management systems encourage the widespread use of open dumping. These sites receive mixed municipal, industrial, medical, and pharmaceutical wastes, creating favourable conditions for the proliferation of microorganisms, including pathogenic and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The decomposition of waste generates leachates, gases, and other pollutants that contaminate soil, groundwater, and air, leading to ecosystem degradation and increased health risks for nearby communities. Common bacterial isolates found in dumpsites include Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Enterobacter spp., Proteus spp., Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, many of which possess multidrug resistance traits. Dumpsites also serve as reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) such as blaTEM, blaSHV, blaCTX-M, mecA, tetA, tetM, sul1, and sul2, which can spread through horizontal gene transfer mechanisms. The persistence of these genes contributes significantly to antimicrobial resistance, resulting in treatment failure, increased healthcare costs, prolonged hospital stays, and higher mortality rates. Detection of ARGs is commonly achieved through culture-based methods, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), quantitative PCR, sequencing technologies, and metagenomic approaches. Effective management of dumpsites requires the adoption of engineered sanitary landfills, waste segregation, recycling, environmental monitoring, remediation strategies, and strong regulatory frameworks. Overall, improving waste management practices is essential for reducing environmental contamination, limiting the spread of antimicrobial resistance, and protecting both human health and ecosystem sustainability.