Monitoring Antimicrobial Resistance in Care Homes Through Wastewater Surveillance – A Scoping Review

This study explores the literature on wastewater-based epidemiological studies addressing antimicrobial resistance in care homes for older adults. The research, based on six electronic databases, identified 11 studies conducted between 2015 and 2024. Enterobacterales, particularly Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp., were the most frequently detected bacteria, with high resistance rates to certain antibiotics and cephalosporins. The study concludes that wastewater-based epidemiology can provide insights into trends and genetic diversity, potentially informing public health strategies and antibiotic stewardship programs.