Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the ability of a bacterial species to resist the action of an antimicrobial drug, has been on the rise due to the widespread use of antimicrobial agents. Per the World Health Organization, AMR has an estimated annual cost of $34B in the US, and is predicted to be the number one cause of death worldwide by 2050. One way AMR bacteria can spread, and where individuals can contract AMR infections, is through contaminated water. Monitoring environment AMR bacteria currently requires samples be transported to a central laboratory for slow and labor intensive tests. We have developed an inexpensive assay using paper-based analytical devices (PADs) that can test for the presence of β-lactamase-mediated resistance as a form of AMR. To demonstrate viability, the PAD was used to detect β-lactam resistance in wastewater and sewage, and identified resistance in individual bacteria species isolated from environmental water sources.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the ability of a bacterial species to resist the action of an antimicrobial drug, has been on the rise due to the widespread use of antimicrobial agents. Per the World Health Organization, AMR has an estimated annual cost of USD 34 billion in the US and is predicted to be the number one cause of death worldwide by 2050. One way AMR bacteria can spread, and by which individuals can contract AMR infections, is through contaminated water. Monitoring AMR bacteria in the environment currently requires that samples be transported to a central laboratory for slow and labor intensive tests. We have developed an inexpensive assay using paper‐based analytical devices (PADs) that can test for the presence of β‐lactamase‐mediated resistance. To demonstrate viability, the PAD was used to detect β‐lactam resistance in wastewater and sewage and identified resistance in individual bacterial species isolated from environmental water sources.