The suitability of wastewater-based epidemiology for antimicrobial resistance surveillance

The growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) requires innovative surveillance methods to understand and mitigate its spread. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) offers a promising approach for AMR surveillance by analysing wastewater samples to detect the presence and abundance of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). This PhD research aims to explore the suitability of WBE for AMR surveillance, leveraging metagenomic sequencing to identify ARGs and ARB in wastewater samples from various urban settings in Australia. The study also aims to explore the potential of the SELection End points in Communities of bacTeria (SELECT) Assay to determine whether antibiotics and other selective compounds in wastewater select for AMR in wastewater environments. Overall, the findings will underscore the effectiveness of WBE in providing comprehensive, real-time data on AMR, highlighting its potential as a complementary tool to traditional surveillance methods with an aim to enhance the understanding of AMR dynamics and inform public health strategies.

Please note this is a PhD student Progress review presentation.