Antibiotic-Resistant Microbes in Aquatic Environments and Agricultural Systems: Implications for Public Health

Madiha Muzammil1*, Umera Khalid2 and Sunaila Kanwal3

1CABB, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan 2Department of Molecular Biology, University of Okara, Pakistan 3Department of Zoology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan

Abstract

Resistance development against antibiotics is a major health issue faced worldwide due to overuse or misuse of antibiotics. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and their genes can be a warning for the general health of people when found in reservoirs of antibiotic-resistant microbes (ARMs) including aquatic environments and contaminated drinking water sources, mainly due to the contamination from agricultural runoff, wastewater discharge, and human activities. Overuse of antibiotics in the healthcare and agriculture sectors is the chief reason for antibiotic resistance. The presence of ARMs including Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in aquatic environments poses serious health hazards possibly through increased rates of morbidity and mortality. The isolation and identification of environmental bacteria from water, the assessment of water samples for antibiotic resistance, and the biochemical and molecular characterization of bacterial pollutants are all part of the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Safe drinking water access is crucial for preventing the spread of AMR and ensuring public health in both developing and developed nations. Public awareness, improved wastewater treatment, and regulatory measures are required for the mitigation of antibiotic resistance. Hence, an interdisciplinary approach that combines environmental science, healthcare, and agricultural practices is crucial to combat this public health threat and will pave the way for defining our future prospects regarding the use of antibiotics.