Human health risk assessment (HHRA) for environmental development and transfer of antibiotic resistance

Nicholas J. Ashbolt, Alejandro Amézquita, Thomas Backhaus, Peter Borriello, Kristian Koefoed Brandt, Peter Collignon, Anja Coors, Rita Finley, William H. Gaze, Thomas Heberer, John R. Lawrence, D.G. Joakim Larsson, Scott A. McEwen, James J. Ryan, Jens Schönfeld, Peter Silley, Jason R. Snape, Christel Van den Eede, Edward Topp

320 Citationer (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Only recently has the environment been clearly implicated in the risk of antibiotic resistance to clinical outcome, but to date there have been few documented approaches to formally assess these risks. Objective: We examined possible approaches and sought to identify research needs to enable human health risk assessments (HHRA) that focus on the role of the environment in the failure of antibiotic treatment caused by antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Methods: The authors participated in a workshop held 4-8 March 2012 in Québec, Canada, to define the scope and objectives of an environmental assessment of antibiotic-resistance risks to human health. We focused on key elements of environmental-resistance-development "hot spots," exposure assessment (unrelated to food), and dose response to characterize risks that may improve antibiotic-resistance management options. Discussion: Various novel aspects to traditional risk assessments were identified to enable an assessment of environmental antibiotic resistance. These include a) accounting for an added selective pressure on the environmental resistome that, over time, allows for development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB); b) identifying and describing rates of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in the relevant environmental "hot spot" compartments; and c) modifying traditional dose-response approaches to address doses of ARB for various health outcomes and pathways. Conclusions: We propose that environmental aspects of antibiotic-resistance development be included in the processes of any HHRA addressing ARB. Because of limited available data, a multi-criteria decision analysis approach would be a useful way to undertake an HHRA of environmental antibiotic resistance that informs risk managers.
OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftEnvironmental Health Perspectives
Vol/bind121
Udgave nummer9
Sider (fra-til)993-1001
Antal sider9
ISSN0091-6765
DOI
StatusUdgivet - sep. 2013

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