Study Suggests Bacteria Found in Waste Water Treatment Facilities More Likely to be Drug-Resistant

An international study has found that bacteria found around waste water treatment facilities are more likely to turn drug resistant, making them immune to the effects of antibiotics used in fighting infections.

Compiled by 26 experts from around the world, including Chand Wattal who chairs the department of microbiology at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in the national capital, the report, "Antibiotic Resistance - The Need For Global Solutions," said chlorination of drinking water can concentrate some antibiotic resistant genes.

Drug Resistance – Antibiotic or Antimicrobial Resistance
Drug resistance is often a problem in malaria, tuberculosis, HIV, sexually transmitted diseases and hospital acquired diseases. Judicious use of antibiotics can control the problem.

"One of our key recommendations is for increased research on how to reduce and neutralise man-made antibiotic pressure and how to control the resistance pool in hotspot environments," Wattal said.

As per the report, antibiotic resistance arises when bacteria evolve mechanisms to withstand drugs used to fight infection.

Indicating that waste water treatment facilities are hotspots for the spread of antibiotic resistance, the report blamed vast increases in the use of antibiotics across medicine and agriculture for the menace.

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"In the absence of adequate regulatory controls, treatment guidelines and patient awareness, this has led to a huge global surge in antibiotic resistance," it said.

"Antibiotic use in veterinary medicine and for growth promotion and disease prevention in agriculture, aquaculture and horticulture is also a major contributing variable," the report said.

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Taking note of the serious threat to public health caused by the rapid loss of antibiotic effectiveness, the authors of the report called for concerted global action.

Source-IANS