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Protocol for sampling multidrug-resistant bacteria using artificial plastic substrates in aquatic ecosystems
Ifra Ferheen1, Roberto Spurio2, Stefania Marchggiani1
1Department of Environment and Primary Prevention, National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy.
STAR Protocols
|May 11, 2025
Summary
This study introduces a method using artificial plastic substrates (APSs) to sample antibiotic-resistant bacteria in water. This protocol aids in detecting pathogens and understanding plastic
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Materials science
Background:
- Pathogenic bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains, pose risks in aquatic ecosystems.
- Artificial plastic substrates (APSs) are composed of four plastic polymers designed to trap and detect bacteria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a standardized protocol for sampling antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria in aquatic environments using APSs.
- To explore the potential role of plastics in disease transmission pathways for humans and animals.
Main Methods:
- Protocol development for selecting appropriate plastic polymers for APS construction.
- Detailed steps for assembling APSs, deploying them in aquatic environments, and collecting samples for analysis.
- Methodology applicable to various aquatic ecosystems for pathogen surveillance.
Main Results:
- A comprehensive protocol for the effective sampling of antibiotic-resistant bacteria using APSs is established.
- The protocol facilitates the detection and analysis of pathogenic bacteria in water samples.
- Demonstrates the utility of APSs as a tool for environmental monitoring.
Conclusions:
- The developed protocol provides a reliable method for studying antibiotic-resistant bacteria in aquatic ecosystems.
- Highlights the potential of APSs in environmental surveillance and understanding pathogen dynamics.
- Suggests further research into the role of plastics in disease ecology.
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