The emergence and proliferation of antibiotic resistant bacteria is a major public health concern. Recent surveys of our water resources for the presence of antibiotics have shown that these chemicals can be readily detected at microgram per liter levels in many surface and groundwater sources. The extent to which the release of these chemicals is coupled to an increase in the mobility and distribution of antibiotic resistance genes in environmental bacterial communities is unknown. The overarching goal of this thrust area is to identify significant sources of antibiotic resistance genes to the environment and to evaluate which sources may be most easily controlled. We have studied wastewater treatment plants, septic tanks, and aquaculture as possible sources of tetracycline resistance.



Students:

Beth Pfotenhauer



Collaborators:

Joel Pedersen, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Sandra McLellan, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Great Lakes Water Institute

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