Science Shows Link Between Antibiotic Resistance and Fecal Pollution

(Newswire.net — October 13, 2022) Orlando, FL — Over the years, researchers have been carrying out studies to look into the increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance, which is undeniably a rapidly growing global health issue.

A study warns against the link between antibiotic resistance and fecal pollution.

The findings of this research were published in Nature Communications. 

It is worth noting that heightened levels of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the environment may be due to different contributing factors. It could be a result of on-site selection from antibiotic residues in the environment.

This means it can lead to the evolution of new forms of resistance. It could also be due to contamination by fecal bacteria, which often tend to be more resistant than other bacteria.

This study has shown that a virus specific to bacteria in human feces called “crAssphage” is highly associated with the abundance of antibiotic-resistance genes in environmental samples. 

Researchers suggest that fecal pollution can be the reason behind the increase in resistant bacteria often found in human-impacted environments. 

“These findings are important as they can inform management of human health risks associated with antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the environment,” Joakim Larsson.

Larsson is a Professor in Environmental Pharmacology at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, and one of the co-authors, said: 

“While antibiotic residues are clearly the cause for the exceptionally high levels of resistance found near some manufacturing sites, fecal pollution is probably the explanation in most other places.”

The findings point to the relevance of considering the level of fecal pollution when interpreting findings of antibiotic resistance in the environment. 

There are techniques found by studies to actually be helpful in fighting antibiotic resistance. One is through the use of D-mannose, which is a widely researched-on sugar found in cranberry. D-mannose is a safe and effective remedy for UTIs, which are usually treated with antibiotics. 

The problem is that the skyrocketing rates of UTIs drive the demand and use of antibiotics, which researchers warn are widely misused or overused. 

Antibiotic overuse, in turn, increases the risk of antibiotic resistance. Unique and superior-quality formulas like Divine Bounty D-mannose are widely resorted to by recurrent UTI sufferers today. 

Over the years, researchers have been studying the remarkable healing benefits of D-mannose. This therapeutic harmless sugar can be found in cranberry and is being researched on due to its remarkable UTI-fighting benefits.

More and more sufferers of recurrent UTIs are actually turning to the use of Divine Bounty D-mannose. (https://www.amazon.com/D-Mannose-600mg-Cranberry-Dandelion-Extract/dp/B01LX5KGF0)