Tests Developed in the Fight Against Environmental Spread of Antimicrobial Resistance

Original from: Technology Networks

Researchers from Newcastle University, and colleagues from Spain, Canada and Egypt, have successfully trialled two new qPCR assays to help detect the presence of transmissible AMR using water and wastewater samples. Publishing their results in the journal Water Research, the scientists present a DNA-based testing method that provides a surrogate for monitoring AMR, which will make AMR screening cheaper and more accessible around the world.

The global impact of antimicrobial resistance

Study co-author Dr Marcos Baluja, of Newcastle University’s School of Engineering added: “We are now aware of the environmental dimension of AMR and its implication in public health. At Newcastle University, we work to understand this complex ecological and evolutionary problem and design feasible methods to identify the hotspot of AMR selection and maintenance in the environment. These tools are crucial to efficiently interrogate the environment and design comprehensive strategies to mitigate dissemination of environmental sources of AMR.”

Source: Tests Developed in the Fight Against Environmental Spread of Antimicrobial Resistance