DisPersal of AntIbiotic Resistance and antibiotics in Water ecosystems and Influence on liveStock and aquatic wildlife

The PAIRWISE project aims to advance knowledge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as a pollution in aquatic environments, wildlife, and livestock. PAIRWISE focuses on dispersal and dynamics of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB), antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) and antibiotics (ATB) in aquatic environments affected by wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Overall goals are to understand: i) dispersal of ARB, ARG and ATB in surface waters downstream of WWTPs, ii) carriage of ARB and ARG in livestock linked to surface waters influenced by WWTPs, iii) role of aquatic birds in dispersal of ARB and ARG. Issues from the JPI call tackled by PAIRWISE include, but are not limited to: entry points and fate of ARB, ARG and ATB; identification of ARGs and ARB useful as indicators; providing insight to fate and transport of ARB, ARG and ATB to within and from aquatic ecosystems; and the role of aquatic birds in such events. PAIRWISE will assess the influence of AMR in agricultural settings and improve understanding of the dissemination and sustainment of AMR in the interface between humans, wildlife, and livestock with a ‘One Health’ perspective. It will provide vital knowledge for policy makers and end-users, facilitating informed decisions on mitigation strategies. NIVA leads the work on the dispersal of ARGs, ARB and ATB in waters. Main tasks include development of the methods protocols and harmonization, characterization of the study sites; determining the background levels, abundance and diversity of selected ARGs, ARB, ATB in aquatic environments; assessment of the entry points and levels; and evaluation of impact factors and dispersal of ARGs, ARB and ATB considering environmental, geographical, climatic, and temporal dimensions. Until now, water-related sampling campaigns have been carried out in two locations in Norway and samples are being prepared for the dedicated AMR analyses.

PAIRWISE aims to advance knowledge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as a pollution in aquatic environments, wildlife, and livestock. PAIRWISE focuses on dispersal and dynamics of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB), genes encoding antibiotic resistance (ARG) and antibiotics (ATB) in aquatic environments affected by wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Overall goals are to understand: i) dispersal of ARB, ARG and ATB in surface waters downstream of WWTPs, ii) carriage of ARB and ARG in livestock linked to surface waters influenced by WWTPs, iii) role of aquatic birds in dispersal of ARB and ARG. Issues from the JPI call tackled by PAIRWISE include, but are not limited to: entry points and fate of ARB, ARG and ATB; identification of ARGs and ARB useful as indicators; providing insight to fate and transport of ARB, ARG and ATB to within and from aquatic ecosystems; and the role of aquatic birds in such events. PAIRWISE will assess the influence of AMR in agricultural settings and improve understanding of the dissemination and sustainment of AMR in the interface between humans, wildlife, and livestock with a ‘One Health’ perspective. It will provide vital knowledge for policy makers and end-users, facilitating informed decisions on mitigation strategies. NIVA leads the work on the dispersal of ARGs, ARB and ATB in waters. Main tasks include development of the methods protocols and harmonization, characterization of the study sites; determining the background levels, abundance and diversity of selected ARGs, ARB, ATB in aquatic environments; assessment of the entry points and levels; and evaluation of impact factors and dispersal of ARGs, ARB and ATB considering environmental, geographical, climatic, and temporal dimensions. The PAIRWISE consortium consists of 7 partners from 5 countries and 2 continents forming a multidisciplinary team. PAIRWISE addresses the Aquatic Pollutants call ‘Measuring’ themes 1.1 and 1.2 as well as ‘Evaluating’ themes 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3.