COVID-19 and antimicrobial resistance: A cross-study

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Microbiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a severe threat due to increasing resistant pathogens.
• Antibiotic overuse and COVID-19 have worsened the global AMR crisis, impacting treatment options for multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the impact of increased antibiotic and biocide usage on AMR.
• To underscore the role of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the spread of antimicrobial and pharmaceutical contaminants.
• To emphasize the urgent need for interventions to mitigate AMR.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on AMR drivers.
• Analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on antibiotic and biocide consumption.
• Assessment of WWTPs' limitations in removing pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs).

Main Results:

• Global antibiotic usage surged due to COVID-19, increasing residual antibiotics in wastewater.
• WWTPs are inefficient at removing PPCPs, leading to contamination of natural water bodies.
• Increased biocide use and microplastic pollution contribute to AMR propagation via co-resistance and the plastisphere.

Conclusions:

• Urgent need to curb antibiotic usage and enhance antibiotic stewardship.
• Wastewater treatment technologies must be improved for effective PPCP removal.
• Addressing the silent threat of AMR is critical to prevent future public health crises.