To strengthen the ability of our Ukrainian partners at IMBG (Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics) to address the challenges of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), reliable analytical methods are needed to detect antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in clinical and environmental samples. A promising approach to monitor public health and AMR involves analysing wastewater from hospitals or agricultural and municipal sources, which is a widely available and non-invasive sample type.
However, ARG detection in wastewater monitoring can be challenging because the most used detection method (quantitative PCR or qPCR) is sensitive to inhibitors commonly found in wastewater and its subsequent aquatic systems. To overcome this, our case study aims to integrate existing (routine) sampling and detection protocols into a unified, cost-efficient system for reliable ARG analysis in wastewater and environmental monitoring at IMBG.
In addition to improving detection methods, this study also examines innovative on-site wastewater management systems. By reducing emissions of ARGs where they originate, the dissemination of AMR through aquatic ecosystems will be limited. Potential solutions may include partially implemented systems like small-scale sewage systems designed to separate and pre-treat highly contaminated wastewater. These systems can utilize advanced techniques such as multilayer or ultra-filtration and plasma-induced sanitation to treat wastewater before being discharged into the municipal network.
