Amina Ressmi

Aquatic environments under anthropogenic pressure serve as critical hotspots for the rapid development of microbial populations, including the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB). This study evaluates the efficiency of natural lagooning wastewater treatment systems at two sites in Settat and Ouled Said, Morocco, focusing on physicochemical characteristics and ARB prevalence in treated effluents. A substantial reduction in total bacterial counts, including coliforms, Enterococcus spp., and Pseudomonas spp., was observed following treatment, demonstrating overall system performance. However, a considerable proportion of resistant strains persisted, with coliforms demonstrating resistance rates of 27.5% to ampicillin and 45.98% to ciprofloxacin. A total of 535 bacterial isolates were detected, demonstrating the presence of human pathogenic species such as Escherichia coli , Klebsiella pneumoniae , and Pseudomonas aeruginosa . These isolates revealed substantial resistance to numerous antibiotics, including ceftazidime and imipenem. Correlation analyses revealed significant associations between physicochemical parameters and antibiotic resistance patterns, with dissolved oxygen and pH showing strong negative correlations with resistant bacterial populations. Low dissolved oxygen levels and high organic load were associated with increased resistance rates. Factor analysis indicated four major components explaining 90.53% of the overall variance, underlining the pivotal importance of temperature, nitrate, and chemical oxygen demand for water quality and ARB dynamics. Spatial and seasonal variations further affected ARB prevalence, with higher resistance rates seen during colder months and in downstream regions. Effluents from wastewater treatment and urban runoff largely contribute to the emergence and spread of ARB. This study provides valuable insights into ARB dynamics in treated wastewater, underlining the necessity for advanced wastewater treatment strategies.

Hospital surfaces represent a major reservoir of multidrug‐resistant Gram‐negative bacteria (MDR‐GNB), which contributes to healthcare‐associated infections. This study characterized the occurrence, resistance determinants, and biofilm‐forming behavior of MDR‐GNB isolated from hospital surfaces in a Moroccan regional hospital. Samples were collected from multiple departments and subjected to phenotypic and molecular analysis to characterize antimicrobial resistance, resistance genes, and adhesion properties. Among the 154 sampled surfaces, 62% were contaminated with Gram‐negative bacilli, predominantly Acinetobacter baumannii (39%), Escherichia coli (21%), and Enterobacter cloacae (11%). Based on molecular analyses, the key resistance genes were bla _NDM-1 , bla _OXA-48 , bla _VIM-1 , and qacΔ E1, and 73% of the isolates were multidrug resistant (a multiple antibiotic resistance index ≥ 0.6). The majority of the isolates (72.7%) were weak biofilm producers. The isolates adhered more strongly to hydrophobic materials (polyvinyl chloride and latex) than to hydrophilic glass ( p < 0.001). Principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering linked antimicrobial resistance, biocide tolerance, and surface colonization. The co‐occurrence of antibiotic‐ and disinfectant‐resistance genes in MDR‐GNB underlies their ability to persist in clinical environments. These findings support risk‐based surface hygiene strategies that incorporate molecular surveillance, the selection of proper materials, and targeted disinfection protocols.

Background: Camel urine (CU) has been used in traditional medicine across North Africa and the Middle East to treat various diseases and infections. Bacteria-induced illnesses remain a critical threat to human health worldwide. Aim: In this context, the present study aimed to bridge ethnopharmacological knowledge with laboratory evidence by documenting traditional beliefs regarding CU and evaluating its in vitro antibacterial efficacy against both standard and multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. Methods: Semi-structured interviews with 450 informants to record their use of CU and perceptions of factors believed to enhance its medicinal effectiveness. The key variables of interest included storage, season, age, breed, physiological status, and camel dietary regimen. In parallel, 62 urine samples were collected based on these traditional criteria and tested in vitro against bacteria using the agar well diffusion method. Microscopical and biochemical parameters, along with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, were all performed to investigate factors influencing the antibacterial activity of CU. Results: CU is traditionally used against viral (52%), bacterial (30%), and fungal (8%) infections. Most participants favored urine from pregnant camels (86.11%), especially during the first trimester (40%), and from those grazing on desert plants in the wet season (99.44%), whereas breed (68.89%) and age (76.67%) were considered unimportant. In vitro tests confirmed broad-spectrum antibacterial activity in all 62 samples, with no significant seasonal effect (p = 0.218), but urine from early pregnancy showed stronger activity for both American type culture collection and MDR strains. Biochemical profiling of the most active samples revealed lower sodium and salinity, higher pH, and elevated levels of chloride, potassium, proteins, urea, and creatinine. Fourier-transform infrared analysis identified a unique 1388 cm⁻¹ peak in the most active samples, suggesting the presence of a distinctive bioactive compound. Conclusion: These results confirm traditional therapeutic practices and suggest the potential of CU for novel antimicrobial drug development. This study emphasized the integration of community-based medicinal wisdom with experimental validation to identify effective natural treatments against contemporary health threats.

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacilli (MDR-GNB) are a growing public health threat, particularly in h