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The ecological risks of antibiotic resistance in aquatic environments: a literature review
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Series / Report no.
RIVM rapport 601500005
Open Access
Type
Report
Language
en
Date
2008-02-01
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Title
The ecological risks of antibiotic resistance in
aquatic environments: a literature review
Translated Title
Ecologische risicos van antibioticaresistentie in
oppervlaktewater: een literatuurstudie
Published in
Abstract
Bacterien die resistent zijn voor antibiotica
verspreiden zich via het watermilieu, waaronder riool- en oppervlaktewater.
De ecologische gevolgen zijn echter nog niet in te schatten, zo blijkt uit
een literatuurstudie van het RIVM in opdracht van de Waterdienst. Het RIVM
beveelt aan mogelijke effecten nader te onderzoeken.
Het RIVM onderzocht de informatie in de wetenschappelijke literatuur over de
milieurisico's die optreden als resistentiegenen in het watermilieu zich
verspreiden. Dit zijn genen in bacterien waardoor deze ongevoelig worden
voor antibioticirca In Nederland worden jaarlijks voor de behandeling van
mens en dier respectievelijk 40 en 508 ton antibiotica gebruikt. Als
darmbacterien resistent worden voor antibiotica, komen deze bacterien met
hun resistentiegenen in rioolwater of in mest terecht. De genen worden op
andere bacterien overgebracht via genetisch materiaal dat wordt
uitgewisseld.
Resistentiegenen van darmbacterien in rioolwater worden teruggevonden in
oppervlaktewater stroomafwaarts van de lozingspunten, hoewel de
darmbacterien daar niet overleven. Stoffen in het oppervlaktewater, zoals
nutrienten, metalen en chemische stoffen, selecteren ook op resistentie bij
bacterien. Recente Nederlandse meetgegevens wekken de indruk dat door het
gebruik van antibiotica bij de varkensbedrijven meer bacteriele
resistentiegenen in het lokale watermilieu zitten. De studies leggen echter
geen duidelijk verband tussen de aanwezigheid van genen en het aantal
resistente bacterien. Onderzoek naar effecten op het milieu ontbreekt
vooralsnog. Omdat resistentiegenen van nature ook voorkomen, en gegevens
over de aanwezigheid van resistentiegenen in 'schone' wateren schaars zijn,
is het niet duidelijk of er sprake is van een ongewone situatie. Voor deze
vergelijking is het ook belangrijk de absolute aantallen van resistente
bacterien te meten.
Bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics occur in the aquatic environment, including sewage and surface waters. The consequences for ecosystems are however difficult to assess, RIVM concluded in a literature review ordered by the Centre for Water Management. RIVM investigated the environmental risks of antibiotic resistance genes in aquatic environments. Resistance genes render bacteria insusceptible to antibiotics. In the Netherlands, for the treatment of humans and animals yearly about 40 and 508 tonnes antibiotics are used, respectively. After enteric bacteria have become resistant to these antibiotics, the bacteria and their resistance genes may enter the sewage or manure. Via DNA particles that may be easily transferred, these genes can be further spread to other bacteria. Resistance genes present in enteric bacteria from waste water have been found in surface water downstream of sewage treatment plants, also when enteric bacteria were absent. Resistance is further favoured by different environmental conditions such as nutrients, chemicals and metals in the water. Recent Dutch research indicated that the use of antibiotics in pig farming leads to an increase diversity of bacterial resistance genes in the local aquatic environment. However, the studies did not conclude on the relationship between the presence of resistance genes and numbers of resistant bacteria. The review concludes that no research is available on the possible environmental effects. Also there is little information on the presence of resistance genes in unpolluted waters, which makes a thorough comparison impossible. RIVM recommends studying the presence and possible effects of resistance genes in such a way that also the absolute number of resistant bacteria can be compared between polluted and unpolluted sites.
Bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics occur in the aquatic environment, including sewage and surface waters. The consequences for ecosystems are however difficult to assess, RIVM concluded in a literature review ordered by the Centre for Water Management. RIVM investigated the environmental risks of antibiotic resistance genes in aquatic environments. Resistance genes render bacteria insusceptible to antibiotics. In the Netherlands, for the treatment of humans and animals yearly about 40 and 508 tonnes antibiotics are used, respectively. After enteric bacteria have become resistant to these antibiotics, the bacteria and their resistance genes may enter the sewage or manure. Via DNA particles that may be easily transferred, these genes can be further spread to other bacteria. Resistance genes present in enteric bacteria from waste water have been found in surface water downstream of sewage treatment plants, also when enteric bacteria were absent. Resistance is further favoured by different environmental conditions such as nutrients, chemicals and metals in the water. Recent Dutch research indicated that the use of antibiotics in pig farming leads to an increase diversity of bacterial resistance genes in the local aquatic environment. However, the studies did not conclude on the relationship between the presence of resistance genes and numbers of resistant bacteria. The review concludes that no research is available on the possible environmental effects. Also there is little information on the presence of resistance genes in unpolluted waters, which makes a thorough comparison impossible. RIVM recommends studying the presence and possible effects of resistance genes in such a way that also the absolute number of resistant bacteria can be compared between polluted and unpolluted sites.
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