Antibiotic resistance in urban aquatic environments: can it be controlled?

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2016

Authors

Célia M. Manaia (Author) Other; Gonçalo Macedo (Author) Other; Despo Fatta-Kassinos (Author) Other; Olga C. Nunes (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology

Vol. 100 No. 4

Pages: 1543-1557

ISSN: 0175-7598

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 49 Citations

Scopus - 100 Citations

Associated Projects

NEPCAT - Novo equipamento envolvendo processos catalíticos integrados para tratamento de poluentes orgânicos e desinfeção de águas

LEPABE - Laboratório de Engenharia de Processos, Ambiente, Biotecnologia e Energia

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00K-11Q

DOI: 10.1007/s00253-015-7202-0

Abstract (EN): Over the last decade, numerous evidences have contributed to establish a link between the natural and human-impacted environments and the growing public health threat that is the antimicrobial resistance. In the environment, in particular in areas subjected to strong anthropogenic pressures, water plays a major role on the transformation and transport of contaminants including antibiotic residues, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and antibiotic resistance genes. Therefore, the urban water cycle, comprising water abstraction, disinfection, and distribution for human consumption, and the collection, treatment, and delivery of wastewater to the environment, is a particularly interesting loop to track the fate of antibiotic resistance in the environment and to assess the risks of its transmission back to humans. In this article, the relevance of different transepts of the urban water cycle on the potential enrichment and spread of antibiotic resistance is reviewed. According to this analysis, some gaps of knowledge, research needs, and control measures are suggested. The critical rationale behind the measures suggested and the desirable involvement of some key action players is also discussed.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 15