Monitoring antibiotic resistance in food in Puerto Rico
Official title: Puerto Rico Antibiotic Resistance Surveillance in Retail Food (PR-ARS)
Funded at University of Puerto Rico at Aguadilla · NIH-10898632 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working to make sure the food we buy in Puerto Rico is safe by tracking antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and it’s designed for local health workers and communities to help everyone understand how these germs can affect our health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Puerto Rico at Aguadilla NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aguadilla, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $182,000 |
| NIH project number | 5U01FD007453-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10898632 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living in Puerto Rico who consume retail food products and are concerned about antibiotic resistance.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not consume food products or are not affected by antibiotic resistance may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the surveillance of antibiotic resistance in retail food products in Puerto Rico. By collaborating with the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS), the project aims to develop a robust system for tracking antibiotic-resistant bacteria in food. It includes training programs for local health professionals and outreach initiatives to educate communities about the impact of antibiotic resistance on food safety. The goal is to improve public health responses and strengthen the overall capacity for detecting microbial resistance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved food safety and public health by reducing the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the food supply.
How similar studies have gone: Other research initiatives have successfully implemented antibiotic resistance monitoring systems, indicating that this approach has proven effective in different contexts.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Puerto Rico at Aguadilla
Aguadilla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Malavez, Yadira — University of Puerto Rico at Aguadilla
- Study coordinator: Malavez, Yadira
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.