East Michigan News

A Central Michigan University doctoral student is investigating the relationship between COVID-19 outbreaks and antibiotic-resistant bacteria found in wastewater. Chris Haupt, a doctoral candidate in biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, has been analyzing samples collected from Mount Pleasant during the pandemic to determine if there was an increase in antibiotic-resistant genetic material.

The samples, gathered in 2021-22 as part of CMU’s participation in a CDC-run program for early detection of COVID-19 outbreaks, were initially frozen and stored. Last year, Maggie Williams from the School of Engineering and Technology began examining them for insights beyond COVID-19.

Haupt's research aims to explore whether increased antibiotic use during COVID-19 led to more resistant bacteria. "COVID really shined a light on how dire the situation is," he said. The findings indicated that COVID-19 outbreaks coincided with spikes in antibiotic-resistant genes.

Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria mutate or acquire resistance through horizontal gene transfer, where genetic material is absorbed from the environment. During the early pandemic, antibiotics were frequently prescribed due to limited testing resources and the risk of bacterial infections among hospitalized patients.

The study revealed that spikes in antibiotic-resistant genes matched periods of COVID-19 outbreaks. Haupt discovered resistance genes for several antibiotics, including azithromycin. He suggested this could mean continued prescription or self-administration of antibiotics by individuals who assumed there were no negative consequences.

"At the end of the day, somebody took these antibiotics, and they ended up in the wastewater," Haupt noted. This presents both a potential danger and an opportunity for critical intelligence in combating microbial threats.

Localized bacterial infections involving resistant microbes could complicate treatment efforts since standard antibiotics might be ineffective initially.