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Sensitivity of environmental microorganisms to antimicrobial agents
Applied and Environmental Microbiology
|March 1, 1976
Summary
Nonmedical antimicrobial agents show limited impact on environmental bacterial ecology. Most soil and water microorganisms are resistant, with few sensitive strains, suggesting minimal ecological alteration from spills.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Microbiology
- Antimicrobial Resistance
- Bacterial Ecology
Background:
- Nonmedical use of antimicrobial agents raises concerns about their environmental impact.
- Understanding the effects on soil and water microflora is crucial for assessing ecological risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the influence of nonmedical antimicrobial agents on the bacterial ecology of soil and water.
- To determine the sensitivity of representative environmental microorganisms to various antimicrobial compounds.
Main Methods:
- Tested the sensitivity of 36 microbial strains (soil and water representatives) against 21 antimicrobial compounds.
- Included chemoorganotrophs, chemolithotrophs, and Streptomyces species.
- Observed effects of broad-spectrum antibiotics and specific compounds like Cephalothin.
Main Results:
- Only 7 out of 36 tested strains (6 chemoorganotrophs, 1 chemolithotroph) showed relative sensitivity to the antimicrobial compounds.
- 29 microorganisms exhibited resistance to most tested antimicrobial agents.
- Broad-spectrum antibiotics affected environmental bacteria similarly to human pathogens; Cephalothin stimulated Chlorella sp. growth.
Conclusions:
- The majority of environmental microorganisms tested are resistant to common antimicrobial agents.
- Spilled antimicrobial agents are unlikely to cause significant alterations in microbial ecology due to widespread resistance.
- Further research may be needed to understand specific impacts or synergistic effects in complex environmental matrices.