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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE STUDY FINDS PHARMACEUTICAL TO POSE POTENTIAL THREAT TO AQUATIC ORGANISMS LAWRENCE, KS, January 28, 2005 --/WORLD-WIRE/-- The toxic effects and environmental risks of fluoroquinolones to aquatic organisms were tested by researchers and published in the most recent issue of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. Southern Illinois University at Carbondale researchers April Robinson, Jason Belden and Michael Lydy found that prokaryotic organisms may be vulnerable to this class of antibiotics, raising concerns of potential disruption of the aquatic nutrient cycle. Fluoroquinolones are commonly used in human and veterinary medicine. In the first large-scale study of its kind, toxicity tests were performed with seven fluoroquinolone antibiotics on five aquatic organisms. Two of the human-use antibiotics that were tested, ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin, are among the most widely used antibiotics in the United States. Fluoroquinolones have been detected in surface waters in the United States and Europe. These drugs are widely used and are not readily biodegradable by microorganisms. The study suggests that aquatic bacterial communities may be most directly at risk to fluoroquinolones in the natural environment, and organisms such as fishes, crustaceans, algae and aquatic plants appear relatively insensitive to the drugs. The study also raises concerns about the effects of other pharmaceuticals on aquatic organisms because a number of pharmaceuticals may be found in surface waters. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry is a monthly, peer-reviewed journal published by the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC). The full study is available at http://setac.allenpress.com. For more information about the Society and other SETAC publications, visit www.setac.org. [Toxicity of Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics to Aquatic Organisms. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 2005; 24(2):423 – 430.] CONTACT: April Phillips Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 850-469-1500 http://setac.allenpress.com |
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