About this Research Topic

Background

The Sustainable Development Goals are 17 goals adopted by the United Nations member states to address global challenges and promote sustainable development by 2030. Microbiology, infectious diseases practice and epidemiology, among other antibiotics-related topics, are crucial in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals. Indeed, without microbiological and infection research, progress in the others will be short-lived. Integrating research on antibiotics, education, and control measures into broader sustainable development strategies is essential for promoting global well-being and achieving the SDGs.

Sustainable Development Goal 6, which focuses on clean water and sanitation, plays a crucial role in the context of antibiotic usage and antimicrobial resistance. Misuse and overuse of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic residues in waste, which may enter water bodies due to inadequate waste and wastewater management systems. This can intoxicate aquatic ecosystems and contribute to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, threatening both animal and human health. Conventional wastewater treatment methods are not always effective in eliminating antibiotic residues and resistant bacteria, hence the need for innovative, sustainable solutions that align with SDG 6. Advances in water treatment technology, such as advanced oxidation processes and biochar, have shown promise in deactivating or removing these harmful substances. Furthermore, reinforcing the goals of SDG 6 promotes access to clean water and good hygiene practices, diminishing the prevalence of waterborne diseases and reducing the dependency on antibiotics. Thus, achieving SDG 6 is intricately connected with combating the global challenge of antibiotic resistance.

Raising awareness about the proper use of antibiotics, along with reinforcing legislation to prevent their overuse, especially in agricultural practices, is crucial. Measures like these can contribute significantly to mitigating antibiotic pollution, hence joining the dots back to SDG 6 – ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

This research topic aims to collect various articles on the areas above. We will accept all article types permissible in the Frontiers in Antibiotics submission guidelines.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Water pollution, Antibiotic pollution, Antibiotic resistance mitigation, Wastewater management, Legislation enforcement

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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