Detection of Ampicillin Resistant Bacteria in Soil and Water from National Parks in the Contiguous United States
Scott LC. 2016. Detection of Ampicillin Resistant Bacteria in Soil and Water from National Parks in the Contiguous United States. Tulane University
ABSTRACT: Background: Antibiotic resistant bacteria have previously been identified in environmental substrates such as soil, water, and wildlife.9, 16, 13 Environmental contamination by antibiotic resistant bacteria poses a serious risk to human health. In order to quantify potential human health risk, environmental assessments must first be conducted. This study seeks to determine if antibiotic resistant bacteria can be found in soil and water in national parks across the contiguous United States. Methods: Soil and water were collected from 11 national parks at high, medium, and low human visitation sites. LB media was inoculated with sample, and bacteria were grown overnight in suspension. After assessing for bacterial growth, the same growth method was used, but with ampicillin infused LB media. Resistance was measured by assessing growth with a spectrophotometer at OD600. Logistic regression was used to determine potential risk factors for the presence of ampicillin resistant bacteria in environmental samples. Results: All parks yielded positive results. 70.09% of samples were positive, with 56.9% of the positive samples being soil and 43.1% of the positive samples being water. 70.21% of soil samples returned positive for ampicillin resistance while 69.93% of water samples returned positive for ampicillin resistance. Risk factors were also assessed to determine associations with presence of ampicillin resistant bacteria. Human density and latitude were determined to be important predictors of the presence of ampicillin resistant bacteria. Conclusions: The natural environment has been contaminated with ampicillin resistant bacteria. It appears that increased human interaction with the environment is related to the presence of ampicillin resistant bacteria contamination. This data could be used to determine the taxonomical groups present in resistant samples, which would provide more clarity as to the origin of the contamination. Furthermore, more robust studies should be conducted to better decipher the link between contamination risk factors and causality.
- Type
- Academic
- Authors
- Scott, Laura
- Date of Issue
- 2016-12-05
- Publisher
- Tulane University
- Units
- ARCH , BLCA , DINO , GLAC , GRCA , GRSA , GRSM , GRTE , JELA , ROMO , ZION
- Keywords
- ampicillin-resistant, antibiotic resistant bacteria, APHN, Appalachian Highlands Network, ARCH, Arches National Park, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, BLCA, DINO, Dinosaur National Monument, GLAC, Glacier National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Grand Tetons National Park, GRCA, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, GRSA, GRSM, GRSM-01273, GRTE, human health, Jean Lafitte Barataria National Preserve, JELA, Rocky Mountain National Park, ROMO, SER, soils, Southeast Region, thesis, water quality, ZION, Zion National Park