Antibiotic Resistance, Its Health Impacts and Advancements in Their Removal Techniques with a Focus on Biological Treatment

Abstract

Resistance to antibiotics in microbes is of serious concern to human health. Antibiotic resistance bacteria and genes are naturally present in pristine environment since ages. Animal feedlot wash, farm and agricultural wastewater, municipal wastewater, excessive production and illegal disposal of antibiotic drugs further aid to prevalence and development of antimicrobial resistance in the water environment. Resistance can be transferred to non-resistance strains through horizontal gene transfer and can directly or indirectly impact human health. In this scenario, much advancement in water treatment technologies has emerged to address the issue. However, a great deal of knowledge of different pathogenic microbes, their resistance mechanism and spread in environmental compartments and effect on health is lacking. Therefore, detailed study needs to be conducted to estimate potential risk and water treatment plants and effluent discharge should be designed and monitored meticulously.