biostudies-literatureRodger GNational Institute for Health Research (NIHR)128-136https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC7617466biostudies-literatureUnknown144<h4>Background</h4>Hospital sinks are environmental reservoirs that harbour healthcare-associated (HCA) pathogens. Selective pressures in sink environments, such as antibiotic residues, nutrient waste and hardness ions, may promote antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) exchange between bacteria. However, cheap and accurate sampling methods to characterize these factors are lacking.<h4>Aims</h4>To validate a workflow to detect antibiotic residues and evaluate water chemistry using dipsticks. Secondarily, to validate boric acid to preserve the taxonomic and ARG ('resistome') composition of sink trap samples for metagenomic sequencing.<h4>Methods</h4>Antibiotic residue dipsticks were validated against serial dilutions of ampicillin, doxycycline, sulfamethoxazole and ciprofloxacin, and water chemisThe Journal of hospital infectionA workflow for the detection of antibiotic residues, measurement of water chemistry and preservation of hospital sink drain samples for metagenomic sequencing.PMC7617466NIHR200915NIHR200239Aranega-Bou PRoohi AHopkins SWalker ASRodger GHopkins KLChau KStoesser NMoore GfalseA workflow for the detection of antibiotic residues, measurement of water chemistry and preservation of hospital sink drain samples for metagenomic sequencing.<h4>Background</h4>Hospital sinks are environmental reservoirs that harbour healthcare-associated (HCA) pathogens. Selective pressures in sink environments, such as antibiotic residues, nutrient waste and hardness ions, may promote antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) exchange between bacteria. However, cheap and accurate sampling methods to characterize these factors are lacking.<h4>Aims</h4>To validate a workflow to detect antibiotic residues and evaluate water chemistry using dipsticks. Secondarily, to validate boric acid to preserve the taxonomic and ARG ('resistome') composition of sink trap samples for metagenomic sequencing.<h4>Methods</h4>Antibiotic residue dipsticks were validated against serial dilutions of ampicillin, doxycycline, sulfamethoxazole and ciprofloxacin, and water chemis2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Feb2025-04-05T11:17:43.091Z2025-04-05T11:17:43.091ZS-EPMC76174663814581610.1016/j.jhin.2023.11.021