EMBRACE-WATERS statement: Recommendations for reporting of studies on antimicrobial resistance in wastewater and related aquatic environments

Nasreen Hassoun-Kheir; Yoav Stabholz; Jan-Ulrich Kreft; Roberto de la Cruz; Arnaud Dechesne; Barth F Smets; Jesús L Romalde; Alberto Lema; Sabela Balboa; Carlos García-Riestra; Eva Torres-Sangiao; Ami Neuberger; David Graham; Marcos Quintela-Baluja; Dov J Stekel; Jay Graham; Amy Pruden; Joseph Nesme; Søren Johannes Sørensen; Rupert Hough; Mical Paul

doi:10.1016/j.onehlt.2021.100339

EMBRACE-WATERS statement: Recommendations for reporting of studies on antimicrobial resistance in wastewater and related aquatic environments

Nasreen Hassoun-Kheir^*
, Yoav Stabholz
, Jan-Ulrich Kreft
, Roberto de la Cruz
, Arnaud Dechesne
, Barth F Smets
, Jesús L Romalde
, Alberto Lema
, Sabela Balboa
, Carlos García-Riestra
, Eva Torres-Sangiao
, Ami Neuberger
, David Graham
, Marcos Quintela-Baluja
, Dov J Stekel
, Jay Graham
, Amy Pruden
, Joseph Nesme
, Søren Johannes Sørensen
, Rupert Hough

Mical Paul

^*Corresponding author for this work

University of Copenhagen
Technion-Israel Institute of Technology
Rambam Health Care Campus Israel
University of Birmingham
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
University Hospital Complex of Santiago
Newcastle University
University of Nottingham
The James Hutton Institute

Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

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Abstract

Background

A One Health approach requires integrative research to elucidate antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the environment and the risks it poses to human health. Research on this topic involves experts from diverse backgrounds and professions. Shortcomings exist in terms of consistent, complete, and transparent reporting in many environmental studies. Standardized reporting will improve the quality of scientific papers, enable meta-analyses and enhance the communication among different experts. In this study, we aimed to generate a consensus of reporting standards for AMR research in wastewater and related aquatic environments.

Methods

Based on a risk of bias assessment of the literature in a systematic review, we proposed a set of study quality indicators. We then used a multistep modified Delphi consensus to develop the EMBRACE-WATERS statement (rEporting antiMicroBial ResistAnCE in WATERS), a checklist of recommendations for reporting in studies of AMR in wastewater and related aquatic environments.

Findings

Consensus was achieved among a multidisciplinary panel of twenty-one experts in three steps. The developed EMBRACE-WATERS statement incorporates 21 items. Each item contains essential elements of high-quality reporting and is followed by an explanation of their rationale and a reporting-example. The EMBRACE-WATERS statement is primarily intended to be used by investigators to ensure transparent and comprehensive reporting of their studies. It can also guide peer-reviewers and editors in evaluation of manuscripts on AMR in the aquatic environment. This statement is not intended to be used to guide investigators on the methodology of their research.

Interpretation

We are hopeful that this statement will improve the reporting quality of future studies of AMR in wastewater and related aquatic environments. Its uptake would generate a common language to be used among researchers from different disciplines, thus advancing the One Health approach towards understanding AMR spread across aquatic environments. Similar initiatives are needed in other areas of One Health research.

Original language	English
Article number	100339
Journal	One Health
Volume	13
Number of pages	9
ISSN	2352-7714
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.onehlt.2021.100339
Publication status	Published - 2021

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

Antimicrobial resistance
Aquatic
Environment
One health
Recommendations
Reporting

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Hassoun-Kheir, N., Stabholz, Y., Kreft, J.-U., de la Cruz, R., Dechesne, A., Smets, B. F., Romalde, J. L., Lema, A., Balboa, S., García-Riestra, C., Torres-Sangiao, E., Neuberger, A., Graham, D., Quintela-Baluja, M., Stekel, D. J., Graham, J., Pruden, A., Nesme, J., Sørensen, S. J., ... Paul, M. (2021). EMBRACE-WATERS statement: Recommendations for reporting of studies on antimicrobial resistance in wastewater and related aquatic environments. One Health, 13, Article 100339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.onehlt.2021.100339

@article{5755f6b42fc64b8a8e25bad4fdc4bb75,

title = "EMBRACE-WATERS statement: Recommendations for reporting of studies on antimicrobial resistance in wastewater and related aquatic environments",

abstract = "BackgroundA One Health approach requires integrative research to elucidate antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the environment and the risks it poses to human health. Research on this topic involves experts from diverse backgrounds and professions. Shortcomings exist in terms of consistent, complete, and transparent reporting in many environmental studies. Standardized reporting will improve the quality of scientific papers, enable meta-analyses and enhance the communication among different experts. In this study, we aimed to generate a consensus of reporting standards for AMR research in wastewater and related aquatic environments.MethodsBased on a risk of bias assessment of the literature in a systematic review, we proposed a set of study quality indicators. We then used a multistep modified Delphi consensus to develop the EMBRACE-WATERS statement (rEporting antiMicroBial ResistAnCE in WATERS), a checklist of recommendations for reporting in studies of AMR in wastewater and related aquatic environments.FindingsConsensus was achieved among a multidisciplinary panel of twenty-one experts in three steps. The developed EMBRACE-WATERS statement incorporates 21 items. Each item contains essential elements of high-quality reporting and is followed by an explanation of their rationale and a reporting-example. The EMBRACE-WATERS statement is primarily intended to be used by investigators to ensure transparent and comprehensive reporting of their studies. It can also guide peer-reviewers and editors in evaluation of manuscripts on AMR in the aquatic environment. This statement is not intended to be used to guide investigators on the methodology of their research.InterpretationWe are hopeful that this statement will improve the reporting quality of future studies of AMR in wastewater and related aquatic environments. Its uptake would generate a common language to be used among researchers from different disciplines, thus advancing the One Health approach towards understanding AMR spread across aquatic environments. Similar initiatives are needed in other areas of One Health research.",

keywords = "Antimicrobial resistance, Aquatic, Environment, One health, Recommendations, Reporting",

author = "Nasreen Hassoun-Kheir and Yoav Stabholz and Jan-Ulrich Kreft and \{de la Cruz\}, Roberto and Arnaud Dechesne and Smets, \{Barth F\} and Romalde, \{Jes{\'u}s L\} and Alberto Lema and Sabela Balboa and Carlos Garc{\'i}a-Riestra and Eva Torres-Sangiao and Ami Neuberger and David Graham and Marcos Quintela-Baluja and Stekel, \{Dov J\} and Jay Graham and Amy Pruden and Joseph Nesme and S{\o}rensen, \{S{\o}ren Johannes\} and Rupert Hough and Mical Paul",

year = "2021",

doi = "10.1016/j.onehlt.2021.100339",

language = "English",

volume = "13",

journal = "One Health",

issn = "2352-7714",

publisher = "Elsevier",

}

Hassoun-Kheir, N, Stabholz, Y, Kreft, J-U, de la Cruz, R, Dechesne, A, Smets, BF, Romalde, JL, Lema, A, Balboa, S, García-Riestra, C, Torres-Sangiao, E, Neuberger, A, Graham, D, Quintela-Baluja, M, Stekel, DJ, Graham, J, Pruden, A, Nesme, J, Sørensen, SJ, Hough, R & Paul, M 2021, 'EMBRACE-WATERS statement: Recommendations for reporting of studies on antimicrobial resistance in wastewater and related aquatic environments', One Health, vol. 13, 100339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.onehlt.2021.100339

TY - JOUR

T1 - EMBRACE-WATERS statement: Recommendations for reporting of studies on antimicrobial resistance in wastewater and related aquatic environments

AU - Hassoun-Kheir, Nasreen

AU - Stabholz, Yoav

AU - Kreft, Jan-Ulrich

AU - de la Cruz, Roberto

AU - Dechesne, Arnaud

AU - Smets, Barth F

AU - Romalde, Jesús L

AU - Lema, Alberto

AU - Balboa, Sabela

AU - García-Riestra, Carlos

AU - Torres-Sangiao, Eva

AU - Neuberger, Ami

AU - Graham, David

AU - Quintela-Baluja, Marcos

AU - Stekel, Dov J

AU - Graham, Jay

AU - Pruden, Amy

AU - Nesme, Joseph

AU - Sørensen, Søren Johannes

AU - Hough, Rupert

AU - Paul, Mical

PY - 2021

Y1 - 2021

N2 - BackgroundA One Health approach requires integrative research to elucidate antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the environment and the risks it poses to human health. Research on this topic involves experts from diverse backgrounds and professions. Shortcomings exist in terms of consistent, complete, and transparent reporting in many environmental studies. Standardized reporting will improve the quality of scientific papers, enable meta-analyses and enhance the communication among different experts. In this study, we aimed to generate a consensus of reporting standards for AMR research in wastewater and related aquatic environments.MethodsBased on a risk of bias assessment of the literature in a systematic review, we proposed a set of study quality indicators. We then used a multistep modified Delphi consensus to develop the EMBRACE-WATERS statement (rEporting antiMicroBial ResistAnCE in WATERS), a checklist of recommendations for reporting in studies of AMR in wastewater and related aquatic environments.FindingsConsensus was achieved among a multidisciplinary panel of twenty-one experts in three steps. The developed EMBRACE-WATERS statement incorporates 21 items. Each item contains essential elements of high-quality reporting and is followed by an explanation of their rationale and a reporting-example. The EMBRACE-WATERS statement is primarily intended to be used by investigators to ensure transparent and comprehensive reporting of their studies. It can also guide peer-reviewers and editors in evaluation of manuscripts on AMR in the aquatic environment. This statement is not intended to be used to guide investigators on the methodology of their research.InterpretationWe are hopeful that this statement will improve the reporting quality of future studies of AMR in wastewater and related aquatic environments. Its uptake would generate a common language to be used among researchers from different disciplines, thus advancing the One Health approach towards understanding AMR spread across aquatic environments. Similar initiatives are needed in other areas of One Health research.

AB - BackgroundA One Health approach requires integrative research to elucidate antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the environment and the risks it poses to human health. Research on this topic involves experts from diverse backgrounds and professions. Shortcomings exist in terms of consistent, complete, and transparent reporting in many environmental studies. Standardized reporting will improve the quality of scientific papers, enable meta-analyses and enhance the communication among different experts. In this study, we aimed to generate a consensus of reporting standards for AMR research in wastewater and related aquatic environments.MethodsBased on a risk of bias assessment of the literature in a systematic review, we proposed a set of study quality indicators. We then used a multistep modified Delphi consensus to develop the EMBRACE-WATERS statement (rEporting antiMicroBial ResistAnCE in WATERS), a checklist of recommendations for reporting in studies of AMR in wastewater and related aquatic environments.FindingsConsensus was achieved among a multidisciplinary panel of twenty-one experts in three steps. The developed EMBRACE-WATERS statement incorporates 21 items. Each item contains essential elements of high-quality reporting and is followed by an explanation of their rationale and a reporting-example. The EMBRACE-WATERS statement is primarily intended to be used by investigators to ensure transparent and comprehensive reporting of their studies. It can also guide peer-reviewers and editors in evaluation of manuscripts on AMR in the aquatic environment. This statement is not intended to be used to guide investigators on the methodology of their research.InterpretationWe are hopeful that this statement will improve the reporting quality of future studies of AMR in wastewater and related aquatic environments. Its uptake would generate a common language to be used among researchers from different disciplines, thus advancing the One Health approach towards understanding AMR spread across aquatic environments. Similar initiatives are needed in other areas of One Health research.

KW - Antimicrobial resistance

KW - Aquatic

KW - Environment

KW - One health

KW - Recommendations

KW - Reporting

U2 - 10.1016/j.onehlt.2021.100339

DO - 10.1016/j.onehlt.2021.100339

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 34746357

SN - 2352-7714

VL - 13

JO - One Health

JF - One Health

M1 - 100339

ER -

EMBRACE-WATERS statement: Recommendations for reporting of studies on antimicrobial resistance in wastewater and related aquatic environments

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

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