Antibiotic Resistance in Wastewater-Exposed Microbial Populations

Abstract

The research paper looks into the existing antibiotic resistance rates and mechanisms among microorganisms that are exposed to wastewater. The main purpose is to evaluate the occurrences of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) as well as antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARBs) at different levels of wastewater treatment and in aquatic ecosystems where they are discharged. The study seeks to find out how wastewater contributes much to this already prevailing condition by using qPCR, metagenomics and a combination of culture-dependent molecular techniques. There have been conventional water treatments occurring but ARGs, ARBs remain in these waters hence posing significant risk to human health through their release into natural waters. This research is crucial since it advocates for implementation of advanced wastewater treatment technologies that could help limit the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria hence controlling an escalating global public health issue.