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Posted: 19th January 2023

Study to map environmental factors behind AMR
“We are not winning the fight against antibiotic resistance; that is obvious. To win, we need to fill gaps in our knowledge and learn more about environmental factors affecting antibiotic resistance" - Dr Inaki Deza-Cruz.
Researchers will explore whether pollution may be contributing to the problem.

A study being led by researchers at the University of Surrey is to explore how environmental factors, such as pollution, could help 'superbugs' become more resistant to antibiotics.

Scientists hope their findings will reveal trends and emerging areas that require further study, and help address this significant threat to human and animal health. 

The 18-month project is being funded by the One Health European Joint Project, and will see researchers undertake work to record the impact of environmental factors on antibiotic resistance. 

Dr Giovanni Lo Iacono, a senior lecturer in Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the University of Surrey, said: “The World Health Organisation has declared antimicrobial resistance as one of the top 10 global public health threats facing humanity. The danger of it cannot be underestimated as it limits treatment options for those who need it most and means that certain infections can become uncontrollable.” 

Until recently, the misuse and the overuse of antibiotics were considered to be the sole factors driving antibiotic resistance. However, scientists are starting to recognise the potential impact of environmental factors - such as the contamination of soil or water by antibiotics - on the food chain.

To examine this further, researchers will analyse all scientific literature published on the subject since 1990. Among the evidence will include environmental samples collected from natural spaces (lakes and parks), semi-natural spaces (agricultural land), green infrastructure (gardens and parks), and former industrial sites. 

The team will then catalogue their findings in a 'systematic evidence map' to identify sites where research in antibiotic resistance is sparse and highlight gaps that are not being explored.

Dr Brian Gardner, a research fellow in Computational Biology at the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Surrey, explained: “A systematic evidence map is an optimal tool to address such a broad research question, especially when the evidence is so diverse. The work we are doing in developing a very rigorous and robust protocol is absolutely crucial.”

Dr Inaki Deza-Cruz, a lecturer in Veterinary Public Health at the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Surrey, added: “We are not winning the fight against antibiotic resistance; that is obvious. To win, we need to fill gaps in our knowledge and learn more about environmental factors affecting antibiotic resistance. 

“The only way to do this, is by setting out what we already know so that we can begin finding out more, which will help us win this battle.”

The study is described in the journal Environment International.



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