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Cited by 22Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental ImpactsAntibiotic Resistance in BacteriaAntibiotic Use and Resistance

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 78 of the 78 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; 30 of the 58 sources its claims cite were checked for support.

Impact of untreated tannery wastewater in the evolution of multidrug-resistant bacteria in Bangladesh

Open access
Mahmud, Zimam, Manik, Md Rasel Khan, Rahman, Adua, Karim, Muhammad Manjurul, Islam, Laila N.·2024·Scientific Reports
DOI 10.1038/s41598-024-71472-6PMC PMC11369239
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Abstract

The tannery industry produces one of the worst contaminants, and unsafe disposal in nearby waterbodies and landfills has become an imminent threat to public health, especially when the resulting multidrug-resistant bacteria and heavy metals enter community settings and animal food chains. In this study, we have collected 10 tannery wastewater (TWW) samples and 10 additional non-tannery wastewater (NTW) samples to compare the chemical oxygen demand (COD), pH, biological oxygen demand (BOD), dissolved oxygen (DO), total dissolved solids (TDS), chromium concentration, bacterial load, and antibiotic resistance profiles. While COD, pH, and chromium concentration data were previously published from our lab, this part of the study uncovers that TWW samples had a significantly higher bacterial load, compared to the non-tannery wastewater samples (5.89 × 10 4 and 9.38 × 10 3 cfu/mL, respectively), higher BOD and TDS values, and significantly lower DO values. The results showed that 53.4, 46.7, 40.0, and 40.0% of the TWW isolates were resistant to ceftriaxone, erythromycin, nalidixic acid, and azithromycin, respectively. On the other hand, 20.0, 30.0, 50.0, and 40.0% of the NTW isolates were resistant to the same antibiotics, respectively. These findings suggest that the TWW isolates were more resistant to antibiotics than the NTW isolates. Moreover, the TWW isolates exhibited higher multidrug resistance than the NTW isolates, 33.33, and 20.00%, respectively. Furthermore, spearman correlation analysis depicts that there is a negative correlation between BOD and bacterial load up to a certain level ( r = − 0.7749, p = 0.0085). In addition, there is also a consistent negative correlation between COD and bacterial load ( r = − 0.7112, p = 0.0252) and TDS and bacterial load ( r = − 0.7621, p = 0.0104). These findings suggest that TWW could pose a significant risk to public health and the environment and highlight the importance of proper wastewater treatment in tannery industries.

Overview

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

Untreated tannery wastewater in Hazaribagh, Dhaka had higher bacterial loads and more antibiotic-resistant and multidrug-resistant bacteria than non-tannery wastewater. The authors conclude TWW may promote AMR dissemination and poses a public-health and environmental risk.

Key findings

  • TWW had a higher bacterial load than NTW: 5.89 × 10⁴ vs 9.38 × 10³ cfu/mL. TWW also had higher BOD (mean 494.5 vs 6.4 mg/L), TDS (1.1 × 10⁴ vs 1.5 × 10² mg/L), chromium (3.83 vs 0.0026 mg/L), and lower DO (0.82 vs 8.7 mg/L).
  • TWW isolates were resistant to ceftriaxone (53.4%), erythromycin (46.7%), nalidixic acid (40.0%), and azithromycin (40.0%); NTW isolates were resistant to the same antibiotics at 20.0%, 30.0%, 50.0%, and 40.0%, respectively.
  • Multidrug resistance was higher in TWW isolates: 33.33% vs 20.00% in NTW. Also, 6.67% of TWW isolates were extensively drug-resistant (resistant to 5 of 6 antibiotic classes), while no NTW isolates were resistant to more than 4 classes.
  • Bacterial load negatively correlated with BOD (Spearman r = −0.7749, p = 0.0085), COD (r = −0.7112, p = 0.0252), and TDS (r = −0.7621, p = 0.0104); chromium showed a moderate negative correlation (r = −0.5879, p = 0.0806), and DO showed a weak positive correlation (r = 0.3892, p = 0.2663).

Methods

  • Collected 10 tannery wastewater samples from main drains of 10 Hazaribagh tanneries and 10 non-tannery wastewater controls from the Buriganga River and University of Dhaka area during monsoon season (June–September); 500 mL per sample.
  • Measured physicochemical parameters (pH, chromium, COD, BOD, DO, TDS) and bacterial load by dilution plating; selected 15 TWW colonies by varied morphology and 10 NTW control isolates, then identified them via biochemical tests and 16S rRNA sequencing, primarily finding *Escherichia coli* and *Salmonella enterica*.
  • Antibiotic susceptibility testing used the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method with 10 antibiotics from 6 classes, interpreted by CLSI-2022 and EUCAST-2022; MDR was defined as resistance to ≥3 antibiotic classes. Spearman rank correlation was performed in R, with graphs generated in GraphPad Prism v8.

Limitations

  • Not stated in the paper. Evident from the text: small sample and isolate numbers (10 TWW and 10 NTW samples; 15 TWW and 10 NTW isolates), sampling limited to one monsoon season and one geographic area, and reliance on previously published pH, COD, and chromium data from the same lab.
  • Evident from the text: correlations are observational and cannot establish causation; reported bacterial load appears inconsistent (abstract reports 5.89 × 10⁴ cfu/mL for TWW, while Table 1 mean is 33.2 × 10³ cfu/mL), and kanamycin is described both as fully sensitive and later among resistance percentages, leaving some resistance estimates unclear.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1038/s41598-024-71472-6

Cites

78 of 78 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Verification

Claims the paper makes

30 of 58 cited sources checked · 4 supported · 1 flagged · accuracy not yet measured

  • Premisecitation

    The absence of bioaccumulation of chromium in aquatic flora, fauna, and microorganisms implies that elevated levels of chromium in the environment can have a severe toxic impact on affected plants and animals.

    “The absence of bioaccumulation of chromium in aquatic flora, fauna, and microorganisms implies that elevated levels of chromium in the environment can have a severe toxic impact on the affected plants and animals54.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [54] Sharma, P. et al. Health hazards of hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)) and its microbial reduction. Bioengineered 13(3), 4923–4938 (2022). source

      The Microbial remediation section directly contradicts the claimed absence of bioaccumulation: it describes microorganisms accumulating Cr(VI). The Hexavalent chromium effect on plant health section supports toxicity to plants, but not the claim’s premise that an absence of bioaccumulation implies that toxicity. Page numbers were not available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.88)

      Checked by a reasoning model — may be wrong.

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  • Premisecitation

    Pollution with heavy metals such as chromium, lead, cadmium, and mercury is well-documented to induce antibiotic resistance through co-selection.

    “Moreover, pollution with heavy metals such as chromium, lead, cadmium, and mercury is well-documented to induce antibiotic resistance through co-selection10–12.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim2 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [10] Gupta, S. et al. Heavy metal and antibiotic resistance in four Indian and UK rivers with different levels and types of water pollution. Sci. Total Environ. 857(Pt 1), 159059 (2023). source
    • cites [11] Chen, S. et al. Heavy metal induced antibiotic resistance in bacterium LSJC7. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 16(10), 23390–23404 (2015). source

      The Introduction (page unavailable) describes heavy-metal contamination contributing to antibiotic resistance and reports that cadmium increased resistance in microcosms. But the paper's own antibiotic-resistance findings concern arsenate, copper, and zinc; our copy does not establish that chromium, lead, or mercury induce antibiotic resistance through co-selection. (LLM, conf=0.87)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • cites [12] Seiler, C. & Berendonk, T. U. Heavy metal driven co-selection of antibiotic resistance in soil and water bodies impacted by agriculture and aquaculture. Front. Microbiol. 3, 399 (2012). source

      The Risk assessment section reports evidence of chromium-driven co-selection in soil and says lead concentrations in some waters may drive co-selection. The Conclusion identifies cadmium and mercury as potential co-selecting factors, but the paper conditions this on environmental concentrations and notes conflicting findings for mercury. Thus, it supports the general mechanism and examples, not the unqualified assertion that pollution with all four metals is well-documented to induce antibiotic resistance. (LLM, conf=0.87)

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  • Premisereasoning

    Chromium concentration is notably higher in TWW than in NTW, at 3.83 mg/L versus 0.0026 mg/L.

    “Chromium concentration is notably higher in TWW (3.83 mg/L) compared to NTW (0.0026 mg/L), likely due to the use of chromium in tanning processes.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [13] Islam, L. et al. Assessment of physicochemical and biochemical qualities of tannery effluents of Hazaribagh, Dhaka, and comparison with non-tannery water samples. Int. J. Environ. 4, 68–81 (2015). source

      The “Levels of chromium in the study water samples” section reports significantly higher chromium in tannery wastewater than in non-tannery water (p = 0.014). It does not report the claimed values of 3.83 mg/L and 0.0026 mg/L; the Discussion instead gives a mean of 4.9 mg/L for 14 tannery samples. (LLM, conf=0.90)

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  • Premiseown data

    Chemical oxygen demand (COD) in TWW is substantially higher than in NTW, at 1.4 × 10^3 mg/L versus 5.0 × 10 mg/L.

    “The Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) in TWW (1.4 × 103 mg/L) was found to be substantially higher than in NTW (5.0 × 10 mg/L), indicating a significant organic pollutant load in tannery effluents.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [13] Islam, L. et al. Assessment of physicochemical and biochemical qualities of tannery effluents of Hazaribagh, Dhaka, and comparison with non-tannery water samples. Int. J. Environ. 4, 68–81 (2015). source

      The ‘Levels of chemical oxygen demand’ section reports significantly higher COD in tannery wastewater than in non-tannery water (p = 0.012). However, Table 2, reproduced in the ‘pH of the study water samples’ section, gives mean COD values of 1655.7 and 45.0 mg/L, not the cited 1400 and 50 mg/L. No page number is available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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  • Premisecitation

    Chromium in TWW along with other toxic compounds and higher COD has created an environmental pressure causing naturally present bacteria in the water to develop resistance to various commonly used antibiotics.

    “It has been suggested that chromium in TWW along with other toxic compounds and higher COD has created an environmental pressure causing naturally present bacteria in the water to develop resistance to various commonly used antibiotics62.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [62] Larsson, D. G. J. & Flach, C.-F. Antibiotic resistance in the environment. Nat. Rev. Microbiol. 20(5), 257–269 (2022). source

      The “Pollution as a driver” section says metals can co-select for antibiotic-resistant strains, supporting the general proposed mechanism. It does not identify chromium in TWW, other toxic compounds, or higher COD as the cause of resistance in bacteria in that water; it also cautions that evidence of selection in wastewater can be difficult to establish. Page numbers were not supplied in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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  • Probably not a substantial claim. 17
  • It may state two separate claims as one. 38
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 1

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Premisecitation

    Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a rapidly growing public health concern in Bangladesh.

    “Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a rapidly growing public health concern in Bangladesh16.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [16] Hoque, R. et al. Tackling antimicrobial resistance in Bangladesh: A scoping review of policy and practice in human, animal and environment sectors. PLoS One 15(1), e0227947 (2020). source

      The Results (‘AMR situation in humans,’ Table 4; page unavailable) report multidrug-resistant S. typhi in Bangladesh, and the food and environment Results describe resistant bacteria as significant from a public-health perspective. The copy does not establish that multidrug resistance is growing rapidly across Bangladesh; its three-year hospital data describe resistance patterns as fluctuating. (LLM, conf=0.85)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    The origin of antibiotic resistance is the process of natural selection and the innate capacity of bacteria to adapt and endure antimicrobial threats.

    “The origin of antibiotic resistance is the process of natural selection and the innate capacity of bacteria to adapt and endure antimicrobial threats22.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [22] Munita, J. M. & Arias, C. A. Mechanisms of antibiotic resistance. Microbiol. Spectr. https://doi.org/10.1128/microbiolspec.VMBF-0016-2015 (2016). source

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Premisecitation

    The CDC states that as many as 30% of antibiotic prescriptions in outpatient environments are not needed.

    “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) underline that as many as 30% of antibiotic prescriptions in outpatient environments are not needed23.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [23] Hersh, A. L. et al. Unnecessary antibiotic prescribing in US ambulatory care settings, 2010–2015. Clin. Infect. Dis. 72(1), 133–137 (2021). source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    Chromium is the most dominant heavy metal in tannery effluent, primarily due to its extensive use in the chrome tanning process, which is considered the most toxic to human health and the environment.

    “Among these, the most dominant heavy metal in tannery effluent is chromium5, primarily as a result of its extensive use in the chrome tanning process, which is considered the most toxic to both human health and the environment1,3,5.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [5] Prasad, S. et al. Chromium contamination and effect on environmental health and its remediation: A sustainable approaches. J. Environ. Manag. 285, 112174 (2021). source
    • cites [1] Igiri, B. E. et al. Toxicity and bioremediation of heavy metals contaminated ecosystem from tannery wastewater: A review. J. Toxicol. 2018, 2568038 (2018). source

      The Introduction identifies tannery wastewater as a source of heavy-metal contamination, and §3 describes chromium’s toxic effects on microorganisms (page numbers unavailable). The copy does not establish that chromium is the most dominant metal in tannery effluent, attribute that dominance to chrome tanning, or rank it as the most toxic to humans and the environment. (LLM, conf=0.82)

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    • cites [3] Patel, N. et al. Environmental impact and treatment of tannery waste. In Water Pollution and Remediation: Organic Pollutants (eds Inamuddin et al.) 577–595 (Springer International Publishing, 2021). source

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Premisecitation

    Resistant bacteria can transfer from animals to humans through the food chain.

    “Resistant bacteria have the capability to transfer from animals to humans through the food chain26.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [26] Hickman, R. A. et al. Exploring the antibiotic resistance burden in livestock, livestock handlers and their non-livestock handling contacts: A one health perspective. Front. Microbiol. 12, 651461 (2021). source

      The Conclusion reports likely transmission of colistin resistance from pigs to handlers and then to non-livestock contacts. The Results also describe a possible transient bacterial transmission event between a pig and a human, but say extensive sharing of bacterial clones was not observed. Neither passage establishes transfer through the food chain; the study examined people in the farm environment. (LLM, conf=0.86)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    Tannery industry waste is a complex mixture of organic and inorganic pollutants, resulting in pungent odor, high COD, high BOD, low dissolved oxygen, high dissolved salts, and high pH.

    “Tannery industry waste is a complex mixture of organic and inorganic pollutants, resulting in a pungent odor, high COD, biological oxygen demand, low dissolved oxygen, high dissolved salts, and high pH levels1–3.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [1] Igiri, B. E. et al. Toxicity and bioremediation of heavy metals contaminated ecosystem from tannery wastewater: A review. J. Toxicol. 2018, 2568038 (2018). source

      The Introduction identifies tannery wastewater as a source of inorganic heavy metals, and §6.2 mentions organic pollutants in tannery effluent, supporting the broad description of mixed pollutants. The passages do not support the attributed pungent odor, high COD or BOD, low dissolved oxygen, high dissolved salts, or high pH; searches for those characteristics found no supporting passage. Page numbers were not available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.84)

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    • cites [2] Masood, F. & Malik, A. Environmental concerns of the tanning industry. In Environmental Deterioration and Human Health: Natural and Anthropogenic Determinants (eds Malik, A. et al.) 39–53 (Springer, 2014). source
    • cites [3] Patel, N. et al. Environmental impact and treatment of tannery waste. In Water Pollution and Remediation: Organic Pollutants (eds Inamuddin et al.) 577–595 (Springer International Publishing, 2021). source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    The pH of TWW samples ranged from 3.93 to 8.36, with two samples highly acidic, while control water pH was mostly close to basic, ranging from 6.82 to 8.25.

    “The pH of the TWW samples ranged from 3.93 to 8.36, two samples being highly acidic in nature (pH below 7.0), while the pH of the control water sample was mostly close to basic (ranging from 6.82 to 8.25)13.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [13] Islam, L. et al. Assessment of physicochemical and biochemical qualities of tannery effluents of Hazaribagh, Dhaka, and comparison with non-tannery water samples. Int. J. Environ. 4, 68–81 (2015). source

      The “pH of the study water samples” section confirms that two tannery wastewater samples were highly acidic and that 12 of 13 non-tannery samples were basic. But it gives pH ranges of 3.93–8.51 for tannery wastewater and 6.7–8.39 for non-tannery water, not the ranges in the citing sentence. (LLM, conf=0.94)

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  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    Most tanneries in Bangladesh do not have proper effluent treatment plants and release untreated wastewater into the river Buriganga and nearby landfills, causing serious environmental threats and being prominent sources of environmental chromium in Bangladesh.

    “Most of these tanneries do not have proper effluent treatment plants (ETP) and release untreated wastewater into the river Buriganga and nearby landfills, causing serious threats to the environment and ecosystem, and are the most prominent sources of environmental chromium in Bangladesh, as indicated by a prior study by the researchers of this study13.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [13] Islam, L. et al. Assessment of physicochemical and biochemical qualities of tannery effluents of Hazaribagh, Dhaka, and comparison with non-tannery water samples. Int. J. Environ. 4, 68–81 (2015). source

      Split into 2 atoms — 0 confirmed, 2 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 0 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.

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    Premisecitation

    Discharge of untreated tannery wastewater containing bio-toxic heavy metals into the environment leads to toxicity in terrestrial and aquatic biosystems and poses risks to human health, including skin diseases, respiratory illnesses, and cancer.

    “The discharge of untreated tannery wastewater containing these bio-toxic heavy metals into the environment, such as rivers and other waterbodies, therefore leads to toxicity in both terrestrial and aquatic biosystems, including those of agriculture, cattle, and poultry farming, which consequently poses risks to human health by threatening skin diseases, respiratory illnesses, and even cancer7–9.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim3 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [7] Bari, M. L. et al. Potential human health risks of tannery waste-contaminated poultry feed. J. Health Pollut. 5(9), 68–77 (2015). source

      Split into 2 atoms — 1 confirmed, 1 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 0 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.

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    • cites [8] Rastogi, S. K. et al. Occupational cancers in leather tanning industries: A short review. Indian J. Occup. Environ. Med. 11(1), 3–5 (2007). source

      Split into 2 atoms — 0 confirmed, 1 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 1 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.

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    • cites [9] Dalju, I. et al. Occupational risk factors associated with respiratory symptoms among tannery workers in Mojo town, Southeast Ethiopia, 2018: A comparative cross-sectional study. Multidiscip. Respir. Med. 14(1), 27 (2019). source

      Split into 2 atoms — 0 confirmed, 1 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 1 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.

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  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Premisecitation

    These water-borne diseases have a high mortality rate, especially for infants and children under 5 years of age (37%).

    “These water-borne diseases have a high mortality rate, especially for infants and children under 5 years of age (37%)75–78.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim2 of 4 sources checked
    • cites [75] Khan, A. I. et al. Epidemiology of cholera in Bangladesh: Findings from nationwide hospital-based surveillance, 2014–2018. Clin. Infect. Dis. 71(7), 1635–1642 (2020). source
    • cites [76] Khan, A. I. et al. Outbreak of diarrheal diseases causes mortality in different geographical locations of Bangladesh during the 2021 COVID-19 era. Front. Public Health 11, 1103518 (2023). source
    • cites [77] Sack, D. A. et al. Contrasting epidemiology of cholera in Bangladesh and Africa. J. Infect. Dis. 224(12 Suppl 2), S701-s709 (2021). source

      The Abstract says severe cholera can cause death if not treated promptly, and the Ganges Delta section says young children have the highest rates of cholera. Those rates refer to cases, not deaths. The paper does not support a 37% mortality rate for children under five or extend that figure to water-borne diseases generally. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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    • cites [78] Sarmin, M. et al. Predictor of death in diarrheal children under 5 years of age having severe sepsis in an urban critical care ward in Bangladesh. Glob. Pediatr. Health https://doi.org/10.1177/2333794X19862716 (2019). source

      The Abstract reports that 70 of 191 children under 5 (37%) died. That figure applies to children with diarrhea and severe sepsis treated in a Dhaka hospital ICU, not to water-borne diseases generally or to infants and children under 5 as a whole. (LLM, conf=0.89)

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    Premisecitation

    These bacteria may transfer their resistance genes through horizontal transmission and allow the development of superbugs and pathogenic bacteria resistant to the most widely used antibiotics.

    “These bacteria may transfer their resistance genes through horizontal transmission and allow the development of superbugs and pathogenic bacteria that are resistant to the most widely used antibiotics63,64.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim2 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [63] Tao, S. et al. The spread of antibiotic resistance genes in vivo model. Can. J. Infect. Dis. Med. Microbiol. 2022, 3348695 (2022). source
    • cites [64] Dimitriu, T. Evolution of horizontal transmission in antimicrobial resistance plasmids. Microbiology https://doi.org/10.1099/mic.0.001214 (2022). source

      The Abstract (no page given) says mobile genetic elements spread antimicrobial resistance horizontally between bacterial lineages and that this can increase infections by resistant bacteria and contribute to pathogen epidemics. It does not specify resistance to the most widely used antibiotics or describe the development of “superbugs.” (LLM, conf=0.86)

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  • Probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Recent studies have highlighted the effect of elevated levels of heavy metals, especially chromium, on co-selection with antibiotic resilience.

    “Recent studies have highlighted the effect of elevated levels of heavy metals, especially chromium, on the co-selection with antibiotic resilience56–58.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim2 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [56] Zhang, K. et al. Effect of chromium and copper stress on antibiotic resistance genes transfer and associated metabolic mechanism in electrochemical system treating sulfanilamide wastewater. J. Environ. Chem. Eng. 11(1), 109122 (2023). source
    • cites [57] Edet, U. O., Bassey, I. U. & Joseph, A. P. Heavy metal co-resistance with antibiotics amongst bacteria isolates from an open dumpsite soil. Heliyon 9(2), e13457 (2023). source

      The Discussion (page unavailable) says that accumulated heavy metals can trigger co-selection with antibiotic resistance. The Results report elevated chromium in one dumpsite sample and chromium tolerance among multidrug-resistant isolates at some tested concentrations, but do not establish that elevated chromium in particular caused co-selection; at the highest tested concentration, all isolates were sensitive to chromium. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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    • cites [58] Mahmud, J. et al. Co-resistance to chromium and antibiotics in bacteria isolated from tannery wastes. Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 14, 193–197 (2015). source

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Premisecitation

    Multidrug-resistant bacteria have previously been associated with severe human illnesses like cholera, diarrhea, and other water-borne diseases in the Bangladeshi population.

    “Multidrug-resistant bacteria have previously been associated with severe human illnesses like cholera, diarrhea, and other water-borne diseases in the Bangladeshi population18,71–74.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim3 of 5 sources checked
    • cites [18] Mahmud, Z. et al. Virotyping, genotyping, and molecular characterization of multidrug resistant Escherichia coli isolated from diarrheal patients of Bangladesh. Gene Rep. 23, 101182 (2021). source
    • cites [71] Garbern, S. C. et al. Multidrug-resistant enteric pathogens in older children and adults with diarrhea in Bangladesh: Epidemiology and risk factors. Trop. Med. Health 49(1), 34 (2021). source

      The Results report multidrug resistance in enteric pathogens isolated from patients with diarrhea in Dhaka, including Vibrio cholerae. The Discussion links multidrug-resistant infections to greater stool frequency, a marker of more severe illness, and reports prior Bangladeshi findings for shigellosis and V. cholerae. The paper does not establish the broader claim about other water-borne diseases. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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    • cites [72] Garbern, S. C. et al. Clinical and socio-environmental determinants of multidrug-resistant vibrio cholerae 01 in older children and adults in Bangladesh. Int. J. Infect. Dis. 105, 436–441 (2021). source

      The Results and Discussion (page not available in our copy) report multidrug-resistant V. cholerae O1 in Bangladeshi patients with acute diarrhea and associate it with greater stool frequency and lower blood pressure. The paper supports the cholera and diarrhea examples, but it does not establish an association between multidrug-resistant bacteria and other water-borne diseases in Bangladesh. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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    • cites [73] Jain, P. et al. High prevalence of multiple antibiotic resistance in clinical E. coli isolates from Bangladesh and prediction of molecular resistance determinants using WGS of an XDR isolate. Sci. Rep. 11(1), 22859 (2021). source

      The Introduction (page unavailable) identifies E. coli as a cause of enteric infections in Bangladesh and links its clinical threat to antibiotic resistance. The Discussion (page unavailable) reports multidrug-resistant E. coli in clinical settings and drinking water. The paper does not specifically associate resistant bacteria with cholera or establish that its clinical isolates caused the listed water-borne diseases. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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    • cites [74] Mahmud, Z. et al. Unveiling the spectrum of antibiotic resistance and virulence genes in Escherichia coli: A comparative study of clinical and environmental isolates. Gene Rep. 36, 101987 (2024). source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    Increased TDS concentrations might offer more nutrients for bacterial proliferation, potentially leading to an augmented bacterial population.

    “Increased TDS concentrations might offer more nutrients for bacterial proliferation69, potentially leading to an augmented bacterial population as depicted in Fig. 2F.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [69] Foladori, P., Petrini, S. & Andreottola, G. How suspended solids concentration affects nitrification rate in microalgal-bacterial photobioreactors without external aeration. Heliyon 6(1), e03088 (2020). source

      The Analytical methods section says the study measured total suspended solids (TSS), not total dissolved solids (TDS). The Results and discussion section links nitrifying biomass to the influent nitrogen load, but does not address whether increased TDS supplies nutrients that promote bacterial proliferation. I searched for TDS and for nutrient availability as a driver of bacterial growth. (LLM, conf=0.76)

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    Findingown data

    NTW isolates showed sensitivity to tetracycline (90%), chloramphenicol (80%), gentamycin (90%), and kanamycin (60%).

    “the NTW isolates showed great sensitivity towards four antibiotics—tetracycline, chloramphenicol, gentamycin, and kanamycin with 90, 80, 90, and 60% being sensitive, respectively.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    The difference in resistance is most notable for ceftriaxone and erythromycin, with TWW isolates showing higher resistance than NTW isolates.

    “The difference in resistance is most notable for ceftriaxone (CRO) and erythromycin (E), where TWW isolates showed alarming higher resistance than NTW isolates.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    TWW samples had significantly lower dissolved oxygen (DO) values than NTW samples.

    “NTW shows higher DO levels (8.7 mg/L) compared to TWW (0.82 mg/L), suggesting potential hypoxic conditions in tannery effluents.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    Bacterial isolates from control and experimental wastewaters showed similar resistance toward quinolones, 40% among TWW and 50% among NTW isolates.

    “Bacterial isolates both from the control and experimental wastewaters showed similar resistance toward quinolones, 40% among TWW and 50% among NTW isolates (Fig. 5A, B).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    Among TWW isolates, 33.33% were resistant to at least three different classes of antimicrobial, making them MDR, much higher than NTW isolates, 20% of which were MDR.

    “Among the TWW isolates, 33.33% were resistant to at least three different classes of antimicrobial, making them multidrug-resistant (MDR), much higher than the NTW isolates, 20% of which were MDR.”
    • Also stated in: § Conclusions and recommendations · plain
      “Additionally, 33.33% of the TWW isolates were MDR, compared to 20.00% of the NTW isolates.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    No isolates were resistant to more than 4 classes of antibiotics in control wastewater, while 6.67% of TWW isolates were XDR, showing resistance against 5 out of 6 antibiotic classes.

    “While no isolates were resistant to more than 4 classes of antibiotics in control wastewater, 6.67% of the TWW isolates were extensively drug-resistant (XDR), since they showed resistance against 5 out of 6 antibiotic classes.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    About 47% of TWW isolates were resistant to macrolides, whereas 40% of NTW isolates were resistant to macrolides.

    “About 47% of the TWW isolates were resistant to macrolides, whereas a slightly lower, 40% of the NTW isolates had conferred resistance against the macrolide group of antibiotics.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    Aminoglycosides (gentamycin and kanamycin) were extremely effective against both TWW and NTW isolates, with 0% and 10% resistant isolates respectively.

    “The aminoglycosides, namely gentamycin and kanamycin were extremely effective against both TWW and NTW isolates, with no resistant isolates (0%) and 10% resistant isolates respectively.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    Aminoglycosides and cephalosporins were the most and least sensitive antimicrobial classes against TWW isolates.

    “Aminoglycosides and cephalosporins were the most and least sensitive antimicrobial classes against TWW isolates.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    20% of TWW isolates had developed resistance against at least 4 classes of antibiotics, and the corresponding value in NTW isolates was 10%.

    “20% of the isolates in TWW had developed resistance against at least 4 classes of antibiotics, and the corresponding value in the NTW isolates was 10%.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    The resistance profile of bacteria isolated from the tannery industry area shows markedly high multidrug resistance and antibiotic resistance in general.

    “This is evident in the resistance profile of the bacteria isolated from the tannery industry area, with markedly high multidrug resistance and antibiotic resistance in general.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingreasoning

    Despite pH, COD, and chromium concentration being favorable for microbial growth, bacterial load in NTW samples was considerably lower than in TWW samples.

    “Despite the evidence that the pH, COD values, and chromium concentration are favorable for microbial growth, the bacterial load observed in the NTW samples was considerably lower than that of the TWW samples.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    Most bacterial isolates from NTW showed moderate sensitivity to commonly used antibiotics, whereas bacterial isolates from TWW showed resistance to an increased number of antibiotics.

    “Most bacterial isolates from the NTW showed moderate sensitivity to commonly used antibiotics whereas bacterial isolates from the TWW showed resistance to an increased number of antibiotics.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    A few isolates were resistant to 5 out of 6 classes of antibiotics, making them XDR, which is more concerning than MDR.

    “A few isolates have been found to be resistant to 5 classes of antibiotics out of 6 classes, making them extensively drug-resistant (XDR), which is even more concerning than those of MDR (Fig. 5).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Higher chromium levels are associated with lower bacterial populations in TWW, likely due to toxic effects of chromium on microorganisms.

    “While the relationship was not as strong as the other parameters, it still indicates a trend where higher chromium levels are associated with lower bacterial populations, likely due to the toxic effects of chromium on microorganisms.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Premisecitation

    Environmental stress can cause resistance development in bacteria.

    “Additionally, environmental stress can cause resistance development in bacteria25.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [25] Wu, S. et al. Effects of acid, alkaline, cold, and heat environmental stresses on the antibiotic resistance of the Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. Food Res. Int. 144, 110359 (2021). source

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Premisecitation

    Antibiotics used in farming to enhance livestock growth are a significant factor contributing to antibiotic resistance.

    “Furthermore, antibiotics used in farming to enhance livestock growth are a significant factor contributing to antibiotic resistance24.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [24] Reardon, S. Antibiotic use in farming set to soar despite drug-resistance fears. Nature 614(7948), 397 (2023). source

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Study design and conductnone given

    All measurements were performed in triplicate to ensure reliability and reproducibility of results.

    “All measurements were performed in triplicate to ensure reliability and reproducibility of results.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    Over 200 chemicals are used during the tanning process, leading to a complex mixture of toxic substances such as chromium, polychlorinated biphenyl, sulfides, nitrates, and other harmful compounds discharged as waste.

    “Over 200 chemicals are used during the tanning process, leading to a complex mixture of toxic substances such as chromium, polychlorinated biphenyl, sulfides, nitrates, and other harmful compounds discharged as waste4.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [4] Morera, J. et al. Avoiding the production of polluting and toxic chemicals in the tanning process. J. Am. Leather Chem. Assoc. https://doi.org/10.34314/jalca.v116i10.4617 (2021). source

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Study design and conductnone given

    Standard quality control procedures, including the use of blanks and standard solutions, were implemented throughout the analytical process to maintain accuracy and precision.

    “Standard quality control procedures, including the use of blanks and standard solutions, were implemented throughout the analytical process to maintain accuracy and precision.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    Toxicity in humans can manifest as cutaneous lesions or rashes, as well as renal and hepatic impairment.

    “Toxicity in humans can manifest as cutaneous lesions or rashes, as well as renal and hepatic impairment54.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [54] Sharma, P. et al. Health hazards of hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)) and its microbial reduction. Bioengineered 13(3), 4923–4938 (2022). source

      Checked before — its earlier verdict is held back until a new check runs.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationown data

    TWW could pose a significant risk to public health and the environment.

    “These findings suggest that TWW could pose a significant risk to public health and the environment and highlight the importance of proper wastewater treatment in tannery industries.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The TWW and NTW samples collected are representative of tannery wastewater and non-tannery wastewater in Bangladesh.
    • Rests on an assumption: The selected bacterial isolates are representative of the bacterial populations in TWW and NTW.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    Tannery wastes contain a wide variety of contaminants adverse to sustained life and pose stresses to the microbial community, potentially giving rise to heavy metal tolerance and antimicrobial resistance in surviving microbes.

    “Since tannery wastes contain a wide variety of contaminants adverse to sustained life14, these possess significant stresses to the microbial community and potentially give rise to heavy metal tolerance as well as antimicrobial resistance to the surviving microbes15.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [14] Kumar, R. et al. Management of tannery waste effluents towards the reclamation of clean water using an integrated membrane system: A state-of-the-art review. Environ. Res. 229, 115881 (2023). source
    • cites [15] McMahon, M. A. et al. Environmental stress and antibiotic resistance in food-related pathogens. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 73(1), 211–217 (2007). source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    Gupta et al. demonstrated significant associations between heavy metals and antibiotic resistance, indicating that resistance mechanisms are similar for both.

    “For example, Gupta et al. demonstrated significant associations between heavy metals and antibiotic resistance, indicating that the resistance mechanisms are similar for both10.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [10] Gupta, S. et al. Heavy metal and antibiotic resistance in four Indian and UK rivers with different levels and types of water pollution. Sci. Total Environ. 857(Pt 1), 159059 (2023). source

  • Probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductcitation

    Antibiotic susceptibility testing was accomplished using the standard Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method, with interpretation according to CLSI-2022 and EUCAST-2022 guidelines.

    “This was accomplished through the use of the standard Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method as described previously53, with interpretation being carried out in accordance with the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI-2022) and European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST-2022) guidelines.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [53] Bauer, A. W. et al. Antibiotic susceptibility testing by a standardized single disk method. Am. J. Clin. Pathol. 45(4), 493–496 (1966). source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Higher TDS concentration is associated with lower bacterial population in TWW, possibly due to osmotic stress or inhibitory substances in the dissolved solids fraction.

    “This suggests that as the concentration of dissolved solids increases, the bacterial population tends to decrease, possibly due to osmotic stress or the presence of inhibitory substances in the dissolved solids fraction.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    A prior study by the researchers found chromium content in TWW as high as 1.85 × 10 mg/L and COD as high as 6.5 × 10^3 mg/L, with a statistically significant direct correlation between chromium content and COD.

    “The team found chromium content in TWW of different tannery wastewater disposal sites as high as 1.85 × 10 mg/L and COD as high as 6.5 × 103 mg/L and the direct correlation between chromium content and chemical oxygen demand (COD) was observed statistically significant13.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [13] Islam, L. et al. Assessment of physicochemical and biochemical qualities of tannery effluents of Hazaribagh, Dhaka, and comparison with non-tannery water samples. Int. J. Environ. 4, 68–81 (2015). source

      Checked before — its earlier verdict is held back until a new check runs.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    Chromium imposes pressure on bacterial population, impacting the electrochemical system and leading to elevated horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes, consequently elevating the likelihood of augmented horizontal transmission of resistance genes.

    “Chromium was identified to impose pressure on the bacterial population, impacting the electrochemical system and leading to elevated horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes, consequently elevating the likelihood of augmented horizontal transmission of resistance genes56.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [56] Zhang, K. et al. Effect of chromium and copper stress on antibiotic resistance genes transfer and associated metabolic mechanism in electrochemical system treating sulfanilamide wastewater. J. Environ. Chem. Eng. 11(1), 109122 (2023). source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The alarmingly elevated levels of COD, BOD, and TDS and decreased levels of DO in TWW compared to NTW pose a significant survival threat to bacteria (marked by a strong negative correlation), and this threat is one causative agent for induced antibiotic resistance.

    “The alarmingly elevated levels of COD, BOD, and TDS and the decreased levels of DO in TWW compared to NTW pose a significant survival threat to bacteria (marked by a strong negative correlation), and this threat is one causative agent for induced antibiotic resistance.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    Reduced DO levels can create conducive environments for anaerobic bacteria, potentially causing alteration to the microbial community.

    “Reduced DO levels can create conducive environments for anaerobic bacteria66, potentially causing alteration to the microbial community67.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [66] Lei, Z. et al. Partial-nitritation of low-strength anaerobic effluent: A moderate-high dissolved oxygen concentration facilitates ammonia-oxidizing bacteria disinhibition and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria suppression. Sci. Total Environ. 770, 145337 (2021). source
    • cites [67] Rago, L. et al. Influences of dissolved oxygen concentration on biocathodic microbial communities in microbial fuel cells. Bioelectrochemistry 116, 39–51 (2017). source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationown data

    Bacteria in TWW are able to evade harsh conditions and carry antibiotic resistance mechanisms.

    “However, the bacterial load in TWW was over 500% greater than that of NTW, indicating bacteria are able to evade harsh conditions and carry antibiotic resistance mechanisms, and pose a significant risk to public health once they contaminate the community setting.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationown data

    TWW contains an alarmingly high level of MDR isolates, which is likely to spread into other waterbodies and nearby landfills.

    “As to our findings, the TWW contains an alarmingly high level of multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates, which is likely to spread into other waterbodies and nearby landfills.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Premisecitation

    Higher COD values in TWW make aquatic life difficult to sustain.

    “Higher COD values in the TWW make aquatic life difficult to sustain3.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [3] Patel, N. et al. Environmental impact and treatment of tannery waste. In Water Pollution and Remediation: Organic Pollutants (eds Inamuddin et al.) 577–595 (Springer International Publishing, 2021). source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationreasoning

    COD and chromium concentration do not impact the pH level of the water.

    “Furthermore, it should be noted that these factors do not impact the pH level of the water.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Since most tannery industries are located very close to a running river, the carriage risks the health of nearby community people.

    “Since, as of now, most tannery industries are located very close to a running river, the carriage risks the health of nearby community people.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Most tannery industries are located very close to a running river.

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationreasoning

    This discharge may trigger eutrophication, disrupt aquatic ecosystems, and potentially create environments conducive to the proliferation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

    “This discharge may trigger eutrophication, disrupt aquatic ecosystems, and potentially create environments conducive to the proliferation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    Elevated BOD signifies a higher concentration of biodegradable organic substances, which can result in heightened microbial activity.

    “Elevated BOD signifies a higher concentration of biodegradable organic substances65, which can result in heightened microbial activity.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [65] Hussain, F. et al. Real-time biomonitoring of oxygen uptake rate and biochemical oxygen demand using a novel optical biogas respirometric system. J. Environ. Manag. 277, 111467 (2021). source
51 of 51

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    No systematic investigation had been made to identify multidrug resistance linked to tannery wastes in the context of the Hazaribagh tannery industrial area of Bangladesh.

    “There has been research on MDR in Bangladeshi hospital wastes, urinary tract infection (UTI) patients, and other settings18–21, but no systematic investigation has been made to identify MDR linked to tannery wastes in the context of the Hazaribagh tannery industrial area of Bangladesh.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The TWW and NTW samples collected are representative of tannery wastewater and non-tannery wastewater in Bangladesh.

    “Ten samples of tannery wastewater (TWW) were collected from the main drains of 10 tanneries of Hazaribagh, Dhaka, and 10 non-tannery wastewater (NTW) control samples were collected from the Buriganga River and the University of Dhaka area.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The selected bacterial isolates are representative of the bacterial populations in TWW and NTW.

    “a total of 15 colonies were selected considering varied colony morphologies (size, shape, pigmentation, elevation, and texture) on nutrient agar”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Ampicillin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, and ceftriaxone are among the most commonly prescribed antibiotics in Bangladesh.

    “This is particularly alarming since members of β-lactam, protein synthesis inhibitors, and cephalosporin classes of antibiotics, such as ampicillin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, and ceftriaxone are among the most commonly prescribed antibiotics in our country.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Most tannery industries are located very close to a running river.

    “Since, as of now, most tannery industries are located very close to a running river, the carriage risks the health of nearby community people.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The massive pile of tannery waste in the study area has remained untreated.

    “However, the massive pile of tannery waste in our study area has remained untreated, and the effectiveness of the government’s initiative needs to be studied.”
6 of 6

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Claim that every site exceeded the chromium threshold a thousandfold conflicts with the reported range

    Major

    A thousand times the stated safe concentration of 0.1 mg/L is 100 mg/L. The paper reports chromium concentrations ranging from 0.002 to 18.5 mg/L, so none of that reported range reaches 100 mg/L.

  • Two TWW nalidixic-acid resistance rates are given

    Major

    One passage gives 40.0% resistance to nalidixic acid among TWW isolates; the later list assigns it 46.7%.

  • Kanamycin is described as both fully effective and resisted

    Major

    The paper says all 15 TWW isolates were sensitive to kanamycin, but later assigns kanamycin resistance to 53.4% of those isolates.

  • NTW mean chromium concentration is reported two ways

    Minor

    The results give the NTW chromium concentration as 0.0026 mg/L, whereas the discussion calls its mean 0.002 mg/L. Rounding 0.0026 to three decimal places would give 0.003, not 0.002.

  • Reported TWW bacterial load conflicts with Table 1

    Minor

    The abstract reports a TWW bacterial load of 5.89 × 104 cfu/mL, while Table 1 reports a mean of 33.2 × 103 cfu/mL (3.32 × 104 cfu/mL). This changes the reported magnitude of a principal comparison.

5 of 5

Citations

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Dey, S. & Islam, A. A review on textile wastewater characterization in Bangladesh. Resour. Environ. 5, 15–44 (2015).

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Metadata

Authors
Mahmud, Z., Manik, M. R. K., Rahman, A., Karim, M. M., & Islam, L. N.
Affiliations
University of Dhaka (BD)
Corresponding author
  • Mahmud, Zimam
  • Islam, Laila N.
ORCID
Venue
Scientific Reports
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2024-09-02
Volume
14
Issue
1
Pages
20379-20379
ISSN
2045-2322 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1038/s41598-024-71472-6
PMC
PMC11369239
OpenAlex
W4402130605
Cited by
22
References
77
Citations by year
2026: 13 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 1
FWCI
2.07
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Scientific Reports (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental Impacts
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Microbiology (medical) › Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › Antibiotic Use and Resistance
Keywords
tannery wastewater, multidrug resistance, antibiotic resistance, bacterial load, heavy metals, chromium, wastewater treatment, public health risk
MeSH terms
Anti-Bacterial Agents, Bacteria, Bangladesh, Industrial Waste, Microbial Sensitivity Tests, Tanning, Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial, Biological Oxygen Demand Analysis, Wastewater

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

A language model drew the claims from the paper on 2026-11-08, under version 3 of the claim definition (model deepseek-v4.1-flash, prompt extract-v3).

A second model labelled each claim on 2026-11-08 (model jev-1.13-20260917, definition revision gold-guideline-v0.2).

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Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

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