Sewerage surveillance can help combat antimicrobial resistance

Research from Virginia Tech has shown that sewer monitoring is a powerful tool in tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This method, which has been tested in numerous countries, appears to be more effective than individual tests, especially in detecting resistant bacteria in communities with limited resources. The study was published in Nature Water and suggests that by monitoring sewage, public health teams can gain a broad picture of the presence of AMR, helping to reduce impacts on vulnerable communities.

According to the latest researchAntimicrobial resistance, in which bacteria survive against standard antibiotic treatments, is becoming increasingly difficult to control. In the US alone, waterborne diseases affect more than 7 million people annually, with costs exceeding $3 billion. Researchers such as Dr. Leigh-Anne Krometis of Virginia Tech’s Department of Biological Systems Engineering and Dr. Alasdair Cohen and Dr. Julia Gohlke of Population Health Sciences aim to implement sewage research in rural communities, where problems with waterborne diseases are particularly acute.

Tackling socio-economic differences

According to one report by Science Daily, the study also draws attention to links between AMR and socio-economic conditions. Analyzing samples from 23 countries, researchers found that socioeconomic factors such as healthcare accessibility often influence AMR levels. Samples were compared using World Bank data, with notable findings that AMR levels tended to be more consistent within individual countries than between different countries.

Future directions in public health monitoring

Virginia Tech’s Fralin Life Sciences Institute, with support from the National Science Foundation’s Research Traineeship, is advancing research to more widely deploy sewer monitoring technology. The program, led by Dr. Marc Edwards, an environmental engineer, aims to improve public health response tools by identifying early indicators of AMR in at-risk communities. Findings from sewage monitoring can provide communities with targeted responses to local outbreaks, potentially mitigating the impact of AMR on the most affected populations.