Tracking antibiotic-resistant bacteria through wastewater
Operationalizing wastewater-based surveillance of multidrug-resistant bacteria
This project uses sewage testing to find and follow antibiotic-resistant bacteria in communities so hospitals and public health teams can spot trouble earlier.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hosp of Philadelphia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11145253 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective, researchers are building lab models of wastewater flow and changing things like flow speed, pH, and retention time to see how antibiotic-resistant bacteria and their resistance genes move and persist. They will sequence DNA from wastewater samples and compare those signals to clinical test results from hospitals to look for matches and gaps, including people who carry bacteria without symptoms. The team will also test real sewer samples to see how well wastewater reflects local infection patterns and whether it can give earlier warnings of rising resistance. The goal is to make sewage-based monitoring a reliable, affordable way to watch for outbreaks and guide infection-control steps.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People hospitalized with infections, those with recent cultures showing antibiotic-resistant bacteria, or community members living in areas covered by sampled sewer systems would be the most relevant candidates for related participation or data use.
Not a fit: People with no recent healthcare exposure or those not contributing to sampled wastewater catchments are unlikely to see direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could give hospitals and public health teams earlier, lower-cost warnings about antibiotic-resistant infections so they can act to prevent spread.
How similar studies have performed: Wastewater monitoring has been successful for viruses like SARS-CoV-2, but applying it to antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes is newer and less proven.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- Children's Hosp of Philadelphia — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Annavajhala, Medini K — Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
- Study coordinator: Annavajhala, Medini K
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 below.