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Data Protection Declaration
Imprint
Antibiotic resistance development as endpoint for environmental risk assessment
Project
Project code: JKI-EP-08-2225
Contract period: 01.11.2013
- 31.12.2016
Purpose of research: Basic research
The increase in the distribution of antibiotic resistances in the environment is a threat for the successful use of antibiotics in the human and veterinary medicine. The survival and spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria in the environment are assumed to be increased by residues of antibiotic substances, which can pose a selective pressure on bacterial communities. Furthermore, co-selection by heavy metals or disinfectants can play an important role. Additionally, resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance determinants localized on mobile genetic elements can reach the environment by human and animal wastewaters. Therefore, a relevant endpoint for the environmental risk assessment of antibiotics in the environment is the increase in the abundance of antibiotic resistant bacteria, which can be caused by the application of resistant bacteria to the environment, the acquisition of resistance by environmental bacteria (e.g. by horizontal gene transfer) and the propagation of resistant bacteria. The aim of this project is the identification and/or development of methods to assess the extent of the development, transfer and spread of resistance genes caused by environmental concentrations of antibiotics of all important substance classes. The identification and/or development of these methods will be based on the results of a preceding literature survey. One key aspect will be the assessment of effective concentrations of antibiotics which lead to an increase in resistance in indigenous bacterial communities. In summary, the aims of this project are (a) the identification and/or the development of one or of a combination of methods to assess the risk of the development and spread of resistance in indigenous bacteria, (b) to identify further research needs and (c) the publication and discussion of the results in scientific journals and on international conferences.
The increase in the distribution of antibiotic resistances in the environment is a threat for the successful use of antibiotics in the human and veterinary medicine. The survival and spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria in theenvironment are assumed to be increased by residues of antibiotic substances, which can pose a selective pressure on bacterial communities. Furthermore, co-selection by heavy metals or disinfectants can play an important role. Additionally, resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance determinants localized on mobile genetic elements can reach the environment by human and animal wastewaters. Therefore, a relevant endpoint for the environmental risk assessment of antibiotics in the environment is the increase in the abundance of antibiotic resistant bacteria, which can be caused by the application of resistant bacteria to the environment, the acquisition of resistance by environmental bacteria (e.g. by horizontal gene transfer) and the propagation of resistant bacteria. The aim of this project is the identification and/or development of methods to assess the extent of the development, transfer and spread of resistance genes caused by environmental concentrations of antibiotics of all important substance classes. The identification and/or development of these methods will be based on the results of a preceding literature survey. One key aspect will be the assessment of effective concentrations of antibiotics which lead to an increase in resistance in indigenous bacterial communities. In summary, the aims of this project are (a) the identification and/or the development of one or of a combination of methods to assess the risk of the development and spread of resistance in indigenous bacteria, (b) to identify further research needs and (c) the publication and discussion of the results in scientific journals and on international conferences.
Section overview
Subjects
- Process engineering
- Toxicology
Framework programme
Funding programme
Excutive institution
Institute for Epidemiology and Pathogen Diagnostics (JKI-EP)
