First comprehensive quantitative survey of antibiotic resistance in four Lower Austrian rivers
Recent Publication
A team led by Assoc. Prof. Dr Alexander Kirschner (Department of Water Quality and Health) has recorded for the first time the extent to which Lower Austrian rivers are contaminated with antibiotic-resistant germs. Four rivers were sampled for this purpose - from clean spring areas to sections below sewage treatment plants. The analysis shows that there are significantly more resistant bacteria and genes downstream of sewage treatment plants, including those that cause major problems in hospitals. In an international comparison, the contamination is currently still moderate, but could increase due to more frequent heavy rainfall and wastewater overflows.
Kirschner, A. K. T., Leopold, M., Kolm, C., Vierheilig, J., Linke, R. B., Schachner-Gröhs, I., Koller, M., Kittinger, C., Zarfel, G., & Farnleitner, A. H. (2025). Erste umfassende quantitative Erhebung von Antibiotikaresistenzen in vier niederösterreichischen Flüssen. Österreichische Wasser- und Abfallwirtschaft. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00506-025-01164-6
Assoc. Prof. PD Mag. Dr. Alexander Kirschner
Scientific Staff (Sen. PostDoc)
Department of Water Quality and Health
Ass. Prof. DI Dr. Claudia Kolm Bakk
Scientific Staff (PostDoc)
Department of Water Quality and Health
Univ.-Prof. PD Dr. Andreas Farnleitner MSc
Head of
Department of Water Quality and Health