Paris (AFP)
From Europe to Asia to Africa, antibiotic levels found in some rivers in the world far exceed acceptable levels, warns a study presented Monday.
A team of researchers from York analyzed samples taken from 711 sites in 72 countries on six continents and detected at least one of the 14 antibiotics sought in 65% of the samples, according to a statement from the UK university.
Scientists, who presented their research at a conference in Helsinki on Monday, compared these samples to the acceptable levels set by the AMR Industry Alliance pharmaceutical industry, which vary by substance.
As a result, metronidazole, used against infections of the skin and mouth, is the antibiotic that exceeds this acceptable level, with concentrations up to 300 times this threshold at a site in Bangladesh. The level is also exceeded in the Thames.
Ciprofloxacin is the substance that most often exceeds the safety threshold (at 51 sites), while trimethoprim, used in the treatment of urinary tract infections, is the most frequently found.
"Until now, most of the work on antibiotics has been done in Europe, North America and China, often on only a handful of antibiotics," commented Dr. John Wilkinson.
According to this new study, acceptable levels are most often exceeded in Asia and Africa, but other continents are not spared either, testifying to a "global problem," the statement said, noting that most problematic are in Bangladesh, Kenya, Ghana, Pakistan and Nigeria.
Discovered in the 1920s, antibiotics saved tens of millions of lives by effectively fighting bacteriological diseases such as pneumonia, tuberculosis and meningitis.
But over the decades, bacteria have changed to resist these drugs, to the point that the World Health Organization has warned that the world would lack effective antibiotics.
Bacteria can become resistant when patients use antibiotics they do not need, or do not complete their treatment, giving the bacteria a chance to survive and develop immunity.
But York researchers also point to a link with their presence in the environment.
"New scientists and leaders are now recognizing the role of the environment in the problem of antibiotic resistance, and our data show that contamination of rivers could make an important contribution," said another author, Alistair Boxall, referring to "disturbing" results.
"Solving the problem is a monumental challenge and will require investment in waste and wastewater infrastructure, tighter rules and cleanup of already contaminated sites," he added.
? 2019 AFP