Cigarette waste promotes dangerous antibiotic resistance in our environment

Cigarette waste promotes dangerous antibiotic resistance in our environment

antibiotic resistance represent one of the greatest health risks of the 21st century. A current study by the Technical University of Dresden is now highlighting, as well as cigarette waste to spread resistant germs. The interdisciplinary research group, which includes the University Hospital Dresden and Heidelberg and Tsinghua University in China, has shown that pollutants from cigarette smoke promote growth in such germs in the environment. This significant result is published in the journal "Environmental Health Perspective".

The study shows that cigarette filters contain dangerous substances that favor the settlement of resistant bacteria in waters. Colonized cigarette stubs can therefore act as a carrier for resistant germs that are spread through rivers and other waters. In addition, research shows that smoking increases the spread of resistant bacteria in the lungs, which affects the effectiveness of antibiotics in frequent lung infections.

mechanisms of resistance development

The development of antibiotic resistance is not only respected in response to the use of antibiotics, but also through natural processes. Bacteria can develop mutations in cell division that lead to resistance. These are saved in the DNA, resistance genes are also exchanged between different types of bacteria by horizontal gene transfer. An alarming increase in antimicrobial resistance is currently being observed, which is called "creeping pandemic". Experts warn that up to 10 million people could die of infections with resistant pathogens annually by 2050 if no countermeasures are taken.

In addition to environmental influences, the excessive use of antibiotics in human and veterinary medicine contributes to the development of resistance. In factory farming in particular, antibiotics and their too frequent application are seen as essential challenges. In 2019, around 1.27 million people died of antibiotic -resistant infections, which illustrates the urgency of the problem.

global challenges and solutions

Combating antibiotic resistance requires a coordinated, global approach. The World Health Organization (WHO) plays a central role in this. In Germany, there has been a national strategy for combating antibiotic resistance since 2008, which has been further expanded by the German antibiotic-resistance strategy (DART 2020). The strategy includes, among other things, the strengthening of surveillance systems and the clarification of the population and medical staff.

politicians are calling for a “one-health approach” that includes hygiene and health management in animal husbandry, as well as research and development funding for new antibiotics. Despite the publication of only two new antibiotics in 2016, further progress is necessary. Measures to sensitize doctors, to reduce antibiotic inserts and to implement effective hygiene practices, are crucial to counteract the future of antibiotic resistance.

This study and the associated results open up important perspectives for future research efforts to combat resistance in medicine. For more information, read the article on website of the Technical University of Dresden more about the mechanisms of resistance development at Open Science , and on the global strategy against antibiotic resistance please read on Ärzteblatt .