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The effect of conventional wastewater treatment on the levels of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in effluent: a meta-analysis of current studies

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Abstract

Antimicrobial agents in the environment are a cause for concern. Antimicrobial drug residues and their metabolites reach the aquatic and terrestrial environment primarily through wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). In addition to the potential direct negative health and environmental effects, there is potential for the development of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Residue levels below the minimum inhibitory concentration for a bacterial species can be important in selection of resistance. There is uncertainty associated with resistance formation during WWTP processing. A meta-analysis study was carried out to analyse the effect of WWTP processing on the levels of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria within bacterial populations. An analysis of publications relating to multiple antimicrobial-resistant (MAR) bacteria (n = 61), single antimicrobial-resistant (SAR) E. coli (n = 81) and quinolone/fluoroquinolone-resistant (FR) bacteria (n = 19) was carried out. The odds-ratio (OR) of MAR (OR = 1.60, p < 0.01), SAR (OR = 1.33, p < 0.01) and FR (OR = 1.19, p < 0.01) bacteria was determined. The results infer that WWTP processing results in an increase in the proportion of resistant bacteria in effluent, even though the overall bacterial population may have reduced (i.e. a reduction in total bacterial numbers but an increase in the percentage of resistant bacteria). The results support the need for further research into the development of antimicrobial-resistant strains and possible selective pressures operating in WWTPs.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the Irish EPA for the funding of this project, under the STRIVE programme (2007-2013).

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biosystems Engineering, UCD School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland

    Suvi Harris & Enda Cummins

  2. Clinical Science Institute, NUIG, Galway, Ireland

    Martin Cormican

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  1. Suvi Harris
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  2. Martin Cormican
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Correspondence to Enda Cummins.

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Harris, S., Cormican, M. & Cummins, E. The effect of conventional wastewater treatment on the levels of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in effluent: a meta-analysis of current studies. Environ Geochem Health 34, 749–762 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-012-9493-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-012-9493-8

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