Amoebae from Mumbai creek harbouring bacteria with high AMR risk: IIT Bombay study
New Delhi, Nov 24
Free-living amoebae in Vashi Creek, a tidal estuary in Mumbai, were found to harbour bacteria which had far higher levels of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), according to a global study, including researchers from the Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay.
The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Strathclyde in Scotland, noted that the amoebae are acting as a ‘Trojan horse’ harbouring and protecting multidrug-resistant bacteria.
Nearly half of the bacteria in the amoeba were resistant to four or more antibiotics, rising to six or more in 22 per cent of the samples. In marked contrast, the same level of resistance was found in only 0.6 per cent of samples derived from the sediment.
While they are normally predators of bacteria, amoebae could serve as “sentinel indicators†of AMR, offering the potential for earlier detection of emerging resistance threats in the environment, stated the global team in the paper, published in the journal Environmental Microbiology.
The researchers believe this approach aligns with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) One Health strategy seeks a sustainable balance between the health of people, animals, and ecosystems.
The work comes against the backdrop of a major global health challenge, with bacterial AMR directly responsible for an estimated 1.27 million deaths in 2019 and contributing to nearly five million deaths overall.
“Amoebae are abundant in every environment and can act as vectors, transporting clinically relevant bacteria from the environment into high-risk areas such as hospitals or water treatment facilities without being detected. They essentially operate as a microbial Trojan Horse, giving bacteria a protective space in which to survive, adapt, and strengthen their resistance,†said lead author Dr Ronnie Mooney, of Strathclyde’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
“Our research raises important questions about how these hidden reservoirs are being overlooked by current surveillance systems. If amoebae are harbouring highly resistant bacteria, then conventional monitoring approaches may not be capturing the true scale or distribution of antimicrobial resistance in the environment,†Mooney added.
The teams hope that the research will help environmental agencies, industry, and government bodies improve how they monitor antimicrobial resistance in natural and built environments.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Great research by IIT Bombay! This "Trojan horse" concept is fascinating but scary. Shows how pollution in our water bodies is creating superbugs. We need better waste management systems urgently.
As someone living in Mumbai, this worries me deeply. The creek water eventually mixes with sea water where people swim. Authorities should take this seriously and implement the WHO One Health approach mentioned.
While the research is important, I wish they had included more practical solutions. Just identifying the problem isn't enough - we need actionable steps that local municipalities can implement immediately.
This is exactly why we need more environmental research in India. The statistic about 1.27 million deaths from AMR is shocking. Hope this study leads to better monitoring systems across the country.
The comparison between amoebae (22% resistant) and sediment (0.6%) is eye-opening! Shows how conventional testing might be missing the real threat. Time to upgrade our environmental monitoring methods. ðŸ‘
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