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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lincoln, Nebraska » Agroecosystem Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #318167
Title: Culture-based methods for detection of antibiotic resistance in agroecosystems: advantages, challenges, and gaps in knowledge

Author
item MCLAIN, JEAN - University Of Arizona
item YOUNG, SUZANNE - University Of Florida
item Durso, Lisa
item CYTRYN, EDDIE - Volcani Center (ARO)

Submitted to: Journal of Environmental Quality
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/9/2015
Publication Date: 3/1/2016
Publication URL: https://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/6472163
Citation: Mclain, J., Young, S., Durso, L.M., Cytryn, E. 2016. Culture-based methods for detection of antibiotic resistance in agroecosystems: advantages, challenges, and gaps in knowledge. Journal of Environmental Quality. 45(2):432-440.

Interpretive Summary: There are two main ways to gather information about antibiotic resistance of environmental bacteria: the first is to isolate and test individual bacteria, the second is to screen environmental samples for genes associated with antibiotic resistance. This review covers current knowledge of bacterial groups and antibiotics commonly targeted in cultural resistance studies, the range in cultural methods used, data interpretation, and factors supporting and confounding the use of cultural methods. Finally, a case is made for the standardized integration of cultural and molecular methods to better inform our understanding of antibiotic resistance in agroecosystems.

Technical Abstract: Various culture-based methodologies are used in assessment of antibiotic resistance in samples collected in agroecosystems. Culture-based methods commonly involve isolating target bacteria on general or selective media and assessing growth in response to specific concentrations of antibiotics. The advantages of culture-based methods are multifold. In particular, isolation of bacteria is key to understanding phenotypic characteristics of isolates and their resistance patterns, and most national and international antibiotic resistance monitoring projects are isolate based. This review covers current knowledge of bacterial groups and antibiotics commonly targeted in resistance studies using bacterial culture and discusses the range in methods used, data interpretation, and factors supporting and confounding the use of culture-based methods in assessment of antibiotic resistance. Gaps in knowledge related to study design and resistance databases are discussed. Finally, a case is made for the integration of culture-based and molecular methods to better inform our understanding of antibiotic resistance in agroecosystems.