Toward a Comprehensive Strategy to Mitigate Dissemination of Environmental Sources of Antibiotic Resistance

Peter J. Vikesland, Amy Pruden, Pedro J.J. Alvarez, Diana Aga, Helmut Bürgmann, Xiangdong Li, Celia M. Manaia, Indumathi Nambi, Krista Wigginton, Tong Zhang, Yong Guan Zhu

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

257 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance is a pervasive global health threat. To combat the spread of resistance, it is necessary to consider all possible sources and understand the pathways and mechanisms by which resistance disseminates. Best management practices are urgently needed to provide barriers to the spread of resistance and maximize the lifespan of antibiotics as a precious resource. Herein we advise upon the need for coordinated national and international strategies, highlighting three essential components: (1) Monitoring, (2) Risk Assessment, and (3) Mitigation of antibiotic resistance. Central to all three components is What exactly to monitor, assess, and mitigate? We address this question within an environmental framework, drawing from fundamental microbial ecological processes driving the spread of resistance.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)13061-13069
Number of pages9
JournalEnvironmental Science and Technology
Volume51
Issue number22
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 21 Nov 2017

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • Environmental Chemistry

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