Antibiotic residues in the environment: a table, an index and some reflections

This data describes: <br><br>- antibiotic residue information in the environment, obtained from the scientific literature (Antibiotic Residue Table or ART); <br>- ART extended with other antibiotic-relevant data and aggregated into an Antibiotic Residue Index (ARI); <br>- and a correlation analysis where we relate the factors in the ARI are compared. <br>More detail information about the data can be found in the first tab of the document. <br><br>As can be deducted from this data set, antibiotic residue is omnipresent in the environment, and the concentration and variation depend on the region and matrix (such as soil, ground water, etc). When we compare quantifiers that make out the ARI, the high correlations are observed between “resistance” and “on-line demand”; and “Resistance” and “Essential Medicines” are striking. <br><br>As a conclusion, the consumer segment may play a larger role in antibiotic resistance than currently anticipated. Market places, search engine platforms, and individuals should challenge themselves to become active stakeholders in the management and sustainability of antibiotic consumption, which could lead to an optimized and unanticipated prioritization in risk management and problem solving with respect to this critically important group of medicines. <br><br>