A case study on pharmaceutical residues and antimicrobial resistance genes in Costa Rican rivers: A possible route of contamination for feline and other species

Environ Res. 2023 Nov 20:117665. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117665. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTIn this investigation, the presence of antibiotics and pharmaceuticals in Costa Rican surface waters, specifically in regions near feline habitats, was examined. The study revealed that 47% of the water samples contained detectable traces of at least one antibiotic. Ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin were the most frequently detected compounds, each with a detection rate of 27%. Other antibiotics, such as erythromycin, roxithromycin, and trimethoprim, were also found but at lower frequencies, around 14%. Notably, all antibiotic concentrations remained below 10 ng/L, with ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, and erythromycin showing the highest concentrations. Furthermore, the investigation revealed the presence of non-antibiotic pharmaceutical residues in the water samples, typically at concentrations below 64 ng/L. Tramadol was the most frequently detected compound, present in 18% of the samples. The highest concentrations were observed for acetaminophen and tramadol, measuring 64 and 10 ng/L, respectively. Comparing these findings with studies conducted in treated wastewater and urban rivers, it became evident that the concentrations of antibiotics and pharmaceuticals were notably lower in this study. While previous research reported higher values, the limited number of studies conducted in protected areas raises concerns about the potential environmental impact on biodiversity. In summary, ...
Source: Environmental Research - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Source Type: research