The Impact of Wastewater on Antimicrobial Resistance: A Scoping Review of Transmission Pathways and Contributing Factors
Background/Objectives: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global issue driven by the overuse of antibiotics in healthcare, agriculture, and veterinary settings. Wastewater and treatment plants (WWTPs) act as reservoirs for antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs)....
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Antibiotics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/14/2/131 |
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| author | Maria Clara La Rosa Andrea Maugeri Giuliana Favara Claudia La Mastra Roberta Magnano San Lio Martina Barchitta Antonella Agodi |
| author_facet | Maria Clara La Rosa Andrea Maugeri Giuliana Favara Claudia La Mastra Roberta Magnano San Lio Martina Barchitta Antonella Agodi |
| author_sort | Maria Clara La Rosa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background/Objectives: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global issue driven by the overuse of antibiotics in healthcare, agriculture, and veterinary settings. Wastewater and treatment plants (WWTPs) act as reservoirs for antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). The One Health approach emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health in addressing AMR. This scoping review analyzes wastewater’s role in the AMR spread, identifies influencing factors, and highlights research gaps to guide interventions. Methods: This scoping review followed the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across the PubMed and Web of Science databases for articles published up to June 2024, supplemented by manual reference checks. The review focused on wastewater as a source of AMR, including hospital effluents, industrial and urban sewage, and agricultural runoff. Screening and selection were independently performed by two reviewers, with conflicts resolved by a third. Results: Of 3367 studies identified, 70 met the inclusion criteria. The findings indicated that antibiotic residues, heavy metals, and microbial interactions in wastewater are key drivers of AMR development. Although WWTPs aim to reduce contaminants, they often create conditions conducive to horizontal gene transfer, amplifying resistance. Promising interventions, such as advanced treatment methods and regulatory measures, exist but require further research and implementation. Conclusions: Wastewater plays a pivotal role in AMR dissemination. Targeted interventions in wastewater management are essential to mitigate AMR risks. Future studies should prioritize understanding AMR dynamics in wastewater ecosystems and evaluating scalable mitigation strategies to support global health efforts. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3a0b9c9bebaa493fa8042d331d47fb73 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2079-6382 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Antibiotics |
| spelling | doaj-art-3a0b9c9bebaa493fa8042d331d47fb732025-08-20T02:44:55ZengMDPI AGAntibiotics2079-63822025-01-0114213110.3390/antibiotics14020131The Impact of Wastewater on Antimicrobial Resistance: A Scoping Review of Transmission Pathways and Contributing FactorsMaria Clara La Rosa0Andrea Maugeri1Giuliana Favara2Claudia La Mastra3Roberta Magnano San Lio4Martina Barchitta5Antonella Agodi6Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “GF Ingrassia”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “GF Ingrassia”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “GF Ingrassia”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “GF Ingrassia”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “GF Ingrassia”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “GF Ingrassia”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “GF Ingrassia”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, ItalyBackground/Objectives: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global issue driven by the overuse of antibiotics in healthcare, agriculture, and veterinary settings. Wastewater and treatment plants (WWTPs) act as reservoirs for antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). The One Health approach emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health in addressing AMR. This scoping review analyzes wastewater’s role in the AMR spread, identifies influencing factors, and highlights research gaps to guide interventions. Methods: This scoping review followed the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across the PubMed and Web of Science databases for articles published up to June 2024, supplemented by manual reference checks. The review focused on wastewater as a source of AMR, including hospital effluents, industrial and urban sewage, and agricultural runoff. Screening and selection were independently performed by two reviewers, with conflicts resolved by a third. Results: Of 3367 studies identified, 70 met the inclusion criteria. The findings indicated that antibiotic residues, heavy metals, and microbial interactions in wastewater are key drivers of AMR development. Although WWTPs aim to reduce contaminants, they often create conditions conducive to horizontal gene transfer, amplifying resistance. Promising interventions, such as advanced treatment methods and regulatory measures, exist but require further research and implementation. Conclusions: Wastewater plays a pivotal role in AMR dissemination. Targeted interventions in wastewater management are essential to mitigate AMR risks. Future studies should prioritize understanding AMR dynamics in wastewater ecosystems and evaluating scalable mitigation strategies to support global health efforts.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/14/2/131antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB)antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs)antimicrobial resistance (AMR)wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs)public health |
| spellingShingle | Maria Clara La Rosa Andrea Maugeri Giuliana Favara Claudia La Mastra Roberta Magnano San Lio Martina Barchitta Antonella Agodi The Impact of Wastewater on Antimicrobial Resistance: A Scoping Review of Transmission Pathways and Contributing Factors Antibiotics antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) antimicrobial resistance (AMR) wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) public health |
| title | The Impact of Wastewater on Antimicrobial Resistance: A Scoping Review of Transmission Pathways and Contributing Factors |
| title_full | The Impact of Wastewater on Antimicrobial Resistance: A Scoping Review of Transmission Pathways and Contributing Factors |
| title_fullStr | The Impact of Wastewater on Antimicrobial Resistance: A Scoping Review of Transmission Pathways and Contributing Factors |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Impact of Wastewater on Antimicrobial Resistance: A Scoping Review of Transmission Pathways and Contributing Factors |
| title_short | The Impact of Wastewater on Antimicrobial Resistance: A Scoping Review of Transmission Pathways and Contributing Factors |
| title_sort | impact of wastewater on antimicrobial resistance a scoping review of transmission pathways and contributing factors |
| topic | antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) antimicrobial resistance (AMR) wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) public health |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/14/2/131 |
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