Intra-City Assessment of Antibiotic Resistance across the Entire Sewer System of a Small Urban Area
How to monitor antibiotic resistance across an entire city's sewer network, for more targeted health surveillance.
Abstract
A case study conducted across the entire sewer system of a small urban area to monitor the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Through seasonal sampling campaigns (March and July 2023) and qPCR analysis combined with liquid chromatography–Orbitrap mass spectrometry, the research quantified azithromycin, ofloxacin, and the related resistance genes (ermB, qnrS, intI1), revealing significant temporal and spatial variation. The findings confirm the value of intra-city monitoring as a complementary tool to conventional surveillance systems for guiding public health interventions.
Authors
A. Di Cesare, G. Borgomaneiro, D. Polato, S. Speziali, V. Trotta, R. Sabatino, G. Corno, R. Iunnissi, D. Fontaneto, M. Proietti, C. Strumia, A. Garinei, M. Marconi, E. Piccioni, M. Brienza
Link
Publication date: 03/04/2026 Last updated: 02/10/2026 17:20