Edinburgh Napier University

  The overall aim of the contract is to produce a clear and concise report for publication, which reflects a robust review of literature on antimicrobial resistance. This will help develop a better understanding of antimicrobial resistance, controls and impacts, in relation to the environment and how that applies to Scotland

In undertaking the literature review, the report should answer the following research questions:

1) Cause - There is a general understanding of the common causes and pathways of AMR genes and AMR carrying bacteria into the environment. How does this apply in a Scottish context?
a) What are the known causes of AMR in the environment & what is understood about their relative importance
b) What are the projected causes of AMR?
c) What are the nature of these?
d) What is known about the scope, scale and frequency of these?

2) Impact - What are the known impacts of AMR in the environment, and how does this apply in a Scottish context?
a) What are the nature, scope, scale and frequency?
b) Can we quantify the level of current and future risk from these impacts?
c) How does this compare across the UK and Internationally?

3) Controls - What control mechanisms are in place around the use and introduction of AM/ AMR?
a) What are the type/ use/ efficacy of these controls?
b) Are any of these specific/ tailored to Scotland?
c) How does this compare nationally/ internationally?
d) If control mechanisms are not in place, are they expected/ forthcoming?
e) Is it known what the potential impact of changes to existing control mechanisms could be?

The review should also consider where there are gaps in information/ available literature. Where this is the case, the review should consider if there are ongoing/ forthcoming projects/ reporting which may help fill evidence gaps or whether further research is needed.