PRUDEN-BAGCHI

A Colorado State University researcher recognized for excellence by President George W. Bush in November is reporting a new technique for slowing the spread of antibiotic-resistant genes.

Amy Pruden-Bagchi, an assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, specializes in tracking the spread of antibiotic-resistant genes in bacteria.

Pruden-Bagchi and her team have previously tracked the occurrence of tetracycline and sulfonamide antibiotic resistance genes in five sampling sites along the Poudre River.

Tetracycline and sulfonamide are commonly used antibiotics in people and animals.

The team found higher concentrations in more populated or heavily farmed areas but still detected antibiotic resistance genes in all sampling areas.

Pruden-Bagchi has published results of a study showing that aggressive management of manure can reduce the spread of the genes.

"Microbes carrying these antibiotic-resistant genes are not effectively killed by antibiotics, and the presence of these drugs in the environment may stimulate them to proliferate," Pruden-Bagchi said in a statement.

Pruden-Bagchi and fellow researchers found that, by adding additional materials, such as alfalfa to manure, watering it and turning it over, the amount of resistant genes remaining in the manure was significantly lower.

"More studies are required, but this is a successful first step in determining how we can keep reducing the spread of this new class of contaminant," said Pruden-Bagchi.

The study was reported in a fall issue of the Journal of Environmental Quality. Other CSU authors of the paper included Kenneth Carlson, civil engineering professor; Jessica Davis, professor in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences; and students Heather Storteboom, Sung-Chul Kim and Kathy Doesken.

By Coloradoan staff

Source : CSU Zone