Environmental antimicrobial resistance: review of biological methods - summary
Published 26 October 2023
Applies to England
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1. Chief Scientist’s Group report summary
This project reviewed methods for the detection of environmental microorganisms that have become resistant to the effects of antimicrobial compounds.
1.1 Background
The UK National Action Plan for tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR) calls for research into environmental surveillance for resistant organisms at catchment scale. Hence there is a need to establish a suitable suite of analytical methods and sampling regimes
Methods used for AMR surveillance in clinical and veterinary settings are well established, but they are often initiated reactively in response to humans or animals that have already acquired AMR organisms and are presenting a clinical infection. In contrast, environmental AMR surveillance enables identification of potential risks before infections occur. So, whilst some clinical methods can be readily adapted the overall approaches to surveillance of AMR in the environment may be very different from those used in clinical settings.
Methods involving the characterisation of bacteria and fungi isolated from environmental samples such as susceptibility testing and whole genome sequencing would be similar to those used for clinical tests. However, methods that focus on microbial community changes and the impact of pollution of substances known to drive AMR selection are not as well established and may also be required to assess AMR in the environment.
1.2 Approach
We carried out a structured review of the scientific literature to identify available methods to assess AMR organisms and associated genes in the environment.
1.3 Findings
The review identified methods that could be assessed as part of pilot scale environmental surveillance at three river catchments in England. In particular,
- The use of individual bacterial and fungal species as rapid indicators of the wider burden of AMR in samples.
- Molecular genetics methods which could also be used to determine trends in total AMR.
- Chemical analyses to relate how antimicrobial substances select for AMR in the environment.
The review discusses the benefits and drawbacks of each method some of which have been used in our further work investigating the presence of AMR organisms in environmental settings.
1.4 Publication details
This summary relates to information from project SC210024, reported in detail in the following output:
- Report: SC210024
- Title: Environmental antimicrobial resistance: review of biological methods
- Project manager: Jono Warren, Chief Scientist’s Group
This project was undertaken by the Environment Agency’s Chief Scientist’s Group, which provides scientific knowledge, tools, and techniques to enable us to protect and manage the environment as effectively as possible. The project was carried out as part of the Environment Agency Chief Scientist’s Group research into AMR in the environment and has been funded by the PATH-SAFE programme which has been funded by HM Treasury through the Shared Outcomes Fund.
Enquiries: research@environment-agency.gov.uk.
© Environment Agency