The Battle Against Microbial Pathogens: Basic Science, Technological Advances and Educational Programs

The occurrence and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is a public health problem globally, and aquatic environments are recognized as reservoir for antibiotic-resistant bacteria associated with antibiotic resistance genes. Antibiotic resistance hotspots are found not only in medical settings but also in environmental compartments that are subjected to anthropogenic pressure, such as municipal wastewater systems, pharmaceutical manufacturing effluents, aquaculture and animal husbandry facilities. The global spread of antibiotic resistance genes and their acquisition by clinically relevant bacteria is associated with the increased environmental pollution, which constitutes a serious challenge for health and welfare of humans. The effect of antibiotic resistance genes and antibiotic-resistant bacteria that are released from anthropogenic activities is currently considered to be a serious environmental problem.