Science AMA Series: We are Dr Anne Leonard and Dr William Gaze from the
University of Exeter Medical School. We conduct research into
antibiotic-resistance in coastal waters, and we’re here today to talk
about it. AMA!
Abstract
Hi Reddit, We are Dr Anne Leonard and Dr William Gaze from the European
Centre for Environment and Human Health (http://www.ecehh.org/), based
at the University of Exeter Medical School. We are here to answer your
questions on antibiotic-resistance in coastal waters. Bacteria that can
survive in the presence of medicines (antibiotics) designed to kill
them, are termed antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and are a growing threat
to human wellbeing around the world. Infections caused by bacteria that
survive treatment with antibiotics are difficult to cure, and can even
kill people if effective antibiotics aren’t available
(https://www.newscientist.com/article/2118046-woman-dies-from-infection-resistant-to-all-available-antibiotics/)
Understanding the various ways people come into contact with resistant
bacteria can help develop effective strategies to control the spread of
resistance. We recently published a study (Beach Bums) on resistant
bacteria in coastal waters and the potential for their spread to water
users. Finding that surfers, who swallow a lot of seawater when they
surf, are at a much greater risk of having antibiotic-resistant bacteria
in their guts compared to people who don’t go in the sea indicates that
coastal waters could be an important environment in which members of the
community acquire resistant bacteria. We are looking forward to reading
your questions and comments about antibiotic-resistance in the
environment. EDIT: hi! Thanks to everyone who got in touch to ask us
thought-provoking questions about the issue of antibiotic-resistance in
the environment. We’re going to sign out in a bit, but (time permitting)
we will check back later to see if there are any more questions to
answer.