Wastewater-Based Epidemiology as a Complementary Tool for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance: Overcoming Barriers to Integration
SUMMARY
BioEssays | June 2025
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is emerging as a transformative tool in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance, enabling early detection of pathogen trends at the community level — even among asymptomatic individuals and those outside the healthcare system. Recent research highlights WBE’s potential to complement traditional clinical surveillance, inform targeted antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) strategies, and provide actionable data that could be integrated into hospital and public health systems in the future. As this innovative approach gains momentum, cross-disciplinary collaboration and standardized protocols will be essential to realize its promise, ultimately supporting clinicians, pharmacists, and laboratorians in safeguarding community health.
FEATURED EXPERTS
José L. Balcázar, PhD, Catalan Institute for Water Research, Spain
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Discover how wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) can help protect community health and may soon impact clinical practice.
