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A special issue of Antibiotics (ISSN 2079-6382). This special issue belongs to the section "Mechanism and Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2023) | Viewed by 39886

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Dr. Akebe Luther King Abia

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Antimicrobial Research Unit, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa
Interests: applied microbiology; environmental microbiology; molecular microbiology; antibiotic resistance; environmental pollution; environmental monitoring; water quality
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The growing threat posed by antimicrobial resistance to human, animal, and environmental health is among the biggest challenges humanity faces in this century. Without appropriate mitigation measures, guided by extensive research in this regard, the situation is anticipated to aggravate, claiming millions of lives and alarmingly impacting the global economy. Thus, it has been suggested that addressing this challenge requires a One Health approach that considers the human, animal, and environmental sectors. However, while considerable research has focused on the human and animal sectors, the environmental sector has been neglected, and where this sector has been addressed, it has been limited to water (mostly) and soil. Furthermore, the atmospheric resistome is still to be considered, despite the undisputed role of air in transmitting human infections. Finally, studies linking the environmental resistome to human health are limited, as many environmental studies focus on monitoring.

Therefore, this Special Issue aims at providing a comprehensive update on antimicrobial resistance and environmental health. Manuscripts reporting on the environment (water, air and soil) as a critical reservoir and significant transmission route of clinically important antibiotic-resistant bacteria and their associated resistance genes will be considered. These would include but are not limited to studies using culture-based, culture-independent approaches, including genomics (whole genome sequencing and metagenomics), identification methods, and concepts suggesting methods of studying AMR and its link to environmental health.

Dr. Akebe Luther King Abia
Guest Editor

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Antibiotics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

public health
environmental health
antibiotic resistance
environmental resistome
antibiotic-resistant bacteria
whole-genome sequencing
metagenomics

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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11 pages, 891 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Formulating a Community-Centric Indicator Framework to Quantify One Health Drivers of Antibiotic Resistance: A Preliminary Step towards Fostering ‘Antibiotic-Smart Communities’

by Philip Mathew, Sujith J. Chandy, Satya Sivaraman, Jaya Ranjalkar, Hyfa Mohammed Ali and Shruthi Anna Thomas

Antibiotics 2024, 13(1), 63; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13010063 - 8 Jan 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1999

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance (ABR) is increasing the mortality and morbidity associated with infectious diseases, besides increasing the cost of healthcare, saturating health system capacity, and adversely affecting food security. Framing an appropriate narrative and engaging local communities through the ‘One Health’ approach is essential to complement top-down measures. However, the absence of objective criteria to measure the performance of ABR interventions in community settings makes it difficult to mobilize interest and investment for such interventions. An exercise was therefore carried out to develop an indicator framework for this purpose. A comprehensive list of indicators was developed from experiences gathered through community engagement work in a local panchayat (small administrative area) in Kerala, India and a consultative process with health, veterinary, environment, and development experts. A prioritization exercise was carried out by global experts on ABR, looking at appropriateness, feasibility, and validity. A 15-point indicator framework was designed based on the prioritization process. The final set of indicators covers human health, animal health, environment management, and Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) domains. The indicator framework was piloted in the panchayat (located in Kerala), which attained a score of 34 (maximum 45). The score increased when interventions were implemented to mitigate the ABR drives, indicating that the framework is sensitive to change. The indicator framework was tested in four sites from three other Indian states with different socioeconomic and health profiles, yielding different scores. Those collecting the field data were able to use the framework with minimal training. It is hoped that, this indicator framework can help policymakers broadly understand the factors contributing to ABR and measure the performance of interventions they choose to implement in the community as part of National Action Plan on AMR. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Resistance and Environmental Health)

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15 pages, 3806 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Antibiotic Resistance Mediated by Escherichia coli in Kuwait Marine Environment as Revealed through Genomic Analysis

by Hanan A. Al-Sarawi, Nazima Habibi, Saif Uddin, Awadhesh N. Jha, Mohammed A. Al-Sarawi and Brett P. Lyons

Antibiotics 2023, 12(9), 1366; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12091366 - 25 Aug 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3213

Abstract

Antibiotic-resistance gene elements (ARGEs) such as antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs), integrons, and plasmids are key to the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in marine environments. Kuwait’s marine area is vulnerable to sewage contaminants introduced by numerous storm outlets and indiscriminate waste disposal near recreational beaches. Therefore, it has become a significant public health issue and warrants immediate investigation. Coliforms, especially Gram-negative Escherichia coli, have been regarded as significant indicators of recent fecal pollution and carriers of ARGEs. In this study, we applied a genome-based approach to identify ARGs’ prevalence in E. coli isolated from mollusks and coastal water samples collected in a previous study. In addition, we investigated the plasmids and intl1 (class 1 integron) genes coupled with the ARGs, mediating their spread within the Kuwait marine area. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) identified genes resistant to the drug classes of beta-lactams (bla_CMY-150, bla_CMY-42, bla_CTX-M-15, bla_DHA-1, bla_MIR-1, bla_OKP-B-15, bla_OXA-1, bla_OXA-48, bla_TEM-1B, bla_TEM-35), trimethoprim (dfrA14, dfrA15, dfrA16, dfrA1, dfrA5, dfrA7), fluroquinolone (oqxA, oqxB, qnrB38, qnrB4, qnrS1), aminoglycoside (aadA2, ant(3’’)-Ia, aph(3’’)-Ib, aph(3’)-Ia, aph(6)-Id), fosfomycin (fosA7, fosA_6, fosA, fosB1), sulfonamide (sul1, sul2, sul3), tetracycline (tet-A, tet-B), and macrolide (mph-A). The MFS-type drug efflux gene mdf-A is also quite common in E. coli isolates (80%). The plasmid ColRNAI was also found to be prevalent in E. coli. The integron gene intI1 and gene cassettes (GC) were reported to be in 36% and 33%, respectively, of total E. coli isolates. A positive and significant (p < 0.001) correlation was observed between phenotypic AMR-intl1 (r = 0.311) and phenotypic AMR-GC (r = 0.188). These findings are useful for the surveillance of horizontal gene transfer of AMR in the marine environments of Kuwait. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Resistance and Environmental Health)

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14 pages, 1828 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance Profile of Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli from Fomites in Rural Households in South Africa

by Phathutshedzo Rakhalaru, Lutendo Munzhedzi, Akebe Luther King Abia, Jean Pierre Kabue, Natasha Potgieter and Afsatou Ndama Traore

Antibiotics 2023, 12(8), 1345; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12081345 - 21 Aug 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1944

Abstract

Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) pathotypes are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Daily interaction between people contributes to the spreading of Escherichia coli (E. coli), and fomites are a common source of community-acquired bacterial infections. The spread of bacterial infectious diseases from inanimate objects to the surrounding environment and humans is a serious problem for public health, safety, and development. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and antibiotic resistance of diarrheagenic E. coli found in toilets and kitchen cloths in the Vhembe district, South Africa. One hundred and five samples were cultured to isolate E. coli: thirty-five samples were kitchen cloths and seventy-five samples were toilet swabs. Biochemical tests, API20E, and the VITEK^®-2 automated system were used to identify E. coli. Pathotypes of E. coli were characterised using Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (mPCR). Nine amplified gene fragments were sequenced using partial sequencing. A total of eight antibiotics were used for the antibiotic susceptibility testing of E. coli isolates using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method. Among the collected samples, 47% were positive for E. coli. DEC prevalence was high (81%), with ETEC (51%) harboring lt and st genes being the most dominant pathotype found on both kitchen cloths and toilet surfaces. Diarrheagenic E. coli pathotypes were more prevalent in the kitchen cloths (79.6%) compared with the toilet surfaces. Notably, hybrid pathotypes were detected in 44.2% of the isolates, showcasing the co-existence of multiple pathotypes within a single E. coli strain. The antibiotic resistance testing of E. coli isolates from kitchen cloths and toilets showed high resistance to ampicillin (100%) and amoxicillin (100%). Only E. coli isolates with hybrid pathotypes were found to be resistant to more than three antibiotics. This study emphasizes the significance of fomites as potential sources of bacterial contamination in rural settings. The results highlight the importance of implementing proactive measures to improve hygiene practices and antibiotic stewardship in these communities. These measures are essential for reducing the impact of DEC infections and antibiotic resistance, ultimately safeguarding public health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Resistance and Environmental Health)

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10 pages, 280 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Antimicrobial Resistance and β-Lactamase Production in Clinically Significant Gram-Negative Bacteria Isolated from Hospital and Municipal Wastewater

by Mohammad Irfan, Alhomidi Almotiri and Zeyad Abdullah AlZeyadi

Antibiotics 2023, 12(4), 653; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12040653 - 26 Mar 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1977

Abstract

Hospital and municipal wastewater contribute to the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes in the environment. This study aimed to examine the antibiotic resistance and β-lactamase production in clinically significant Gram-negative bacteria isolated from hospital and municipal wastewater. The susceptibility of bacteria to antibiotics was tested using the disk diffusion method, and the presence of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) and carbapenemases was determined using an enzyme inhibitor and standard multiplex PCR. Analysis of antimicrobial resistance of total bacterial strains (n = 23) revealed that most of them were resistant to cefotaxime (69.56%), imipenem (43.47%), meropenem (47.82%) and amoxicillin-clavulanate (43.47%), gentamicin (39.13%), cefepime and ciprofloxacin (34.78%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (30.43%). A total of 8 of 11 phenotypically confirmed isolates were found to have ESBL genes. The bla_TEM gene was present in 2 of the isolates, while the bla_SHV gene was found in 2 of the isolates. Furthermore, the bla_CTX-M gene was found in 3 of the isolates. In one isolate, both the bla_TEM and bla_SHV genes were identified. Furthermore, of the 9 isolates that have been phenotypically confirmed to have carbapenemase, 3 were confirmed by PCR. Specifically, 2 isolates have the bla_OXA-48 type gene and 1 have the bla_NDM-1 gene. In conclusion, our investigation shows that there is a significant rate of bacteria that produce ESBL and carbapenemase, which can promote the spread of bacterial resistance. Identifying ESBL and carbapenemase production genes in wastewater samples and their resistance patterns can provide valuable data and guide the development of pathogen management strategies that could potentially help reduce the occurrence of multidrug resistance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Resistance and Environmental Health)

14 pages, 1264 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Genomics Revealed a Potential Threat of Aeromonas rivipollensis G87 Strain and Its Antibiotic Resistance

by Esther Ubani K. Fono-Tamo, Ilunga Kamika, John Barr Dewar and Kgaugelo Edward Lekota

Antibiotics 2023, 12(1), 131; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12010131 - 9 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1944

Abstract

Aeromonas rivipollensis is an emerging pathogen linked to a broad range of infections in humans. Due to the inability to accurately differentiate Aeromonas species using conventional techniques, in-depth comparative genomics analysis is imperative to identify them. This study characterized 4 A. rivipollensis strains that were isolated from river water in Johannesburg, South Africa, by whole-genome sequencing (WGS). WGS was carried out, and taxonomic classification was employed to profile virulence and antibiotic resistance (AR). The AR profiles of the A. rivipollensis genomes consisted of betalactams and cephalosporin-resistance genes, while the tetracycline-resistance gene (tetE) was only determined to be in the G87 strain. A mobile genetic element (MGE), transposons TnC, was determined to be in this strain that mediates tetracycline resistance MFS efflux tetE. A pangenomic investigation revealed the G87 strain’s unique characteristic, which included immunoglobulin A-binding proteins, extracellular polysialic acid, and exogenous sialic acid as virulence factors. The identified polysialic acid and sialic acid genes can be associated with antiphagocytic and antibactericidal properties, respectively. MGEs such as transposases introduce virulence and AR genes in the A. rivipollensis G87 genome. This study showed that A. rivipollensis is generally resistant to a class of beta-lactams and cephalosporins. MGEs pose a challenge in some of the Aeromonas species strains and are subjected to antibiotics resistance and the acquisition of virulence genes in the ecosystem. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Resistance and Environmental Health)

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15 pages, 1287 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Acinetobacter baylyi Strain BD413 Can Acquire an Antibiotic Resistance Gene by Natural Transformation on Lettuce Phylloplane and Enter the Endosphere

by Valentina Riva, Giovanni Patania, Francesco Riva, Lorenzo Vergani, Elena Crotti and Francesca Mapelli

Antibiotics 2022, 11(9), 1231; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11091231 - 10 Sep 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2261

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance spread must be considered in a holistic framework which comprises the agri-food ecosystems, where plants can be considered a bridge connecting water and soil habitats with the human microbiome. However, the study of horizontal gene transfer events within the plant microbiome is still overlooked. Here, the environmental strain Acinetobacter baylyi BD413 was used to study the acquisition of extracellular DNA (exDNA) carrying an antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) on lettuce phylloplane, performing experiments at conditions (i.e., plasmid quantities) mimicking those that can be found in a water reuse scenario. Moreover, we assessed how the presence of a surfactant, a co-formulant widely used in agriculture, affected exDNA entry in bacteria and plant tissues, besides the penetration and survival of bacteria into the leaf endosphere. Natural transformation frequency in planta was comparable to that occurring under optimal conditions (i.e., temperature, nutrient provision, and absence of microbial competitors), representing an entrance pathway of ARGs into an epiphytic bacterium able to penetrate the endosphere of a leafy vegetable. The presence of the surfactant determined a higher presence of culturable transformant cells in the leaf tissues but did not significantly increase exDNA entry in A. baylyi BD413 cells and lettuce leaves. More research on HGT (Horizontal Gene Transfer) mechanisms in planta should be performed to obtain experimental data on produce safety in terms of antibiotic resistance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Resistance and Environmental Health)

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19 pages, 3629 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Molecular Typing Reveals Environmental Dispersion of Antibiotic-Resistant Enterococci under Anthropogenic Pressure

by Anca Farkas, Cristian Coman, Edina Szekeres, Adela Teban-Man, Rahela Carpa and Anca Butiuc-Keul

Antibiotics 2022, 11(9), 1213; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11091213 - 7 Sep 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2053

Abstract

As a consequence of global demographic challenges, both the artificial and the natural environment are increasingly impacted by contaminants of emerging concern, such as bacterial pathogens and their antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). The aim of this study was to determine the extent to which anthropogenic contamination contributes to the spread of antibiotic resistant enterococci in aquatic compartments and to explore genetic relationships among Enterococcus strains. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (ampicillin, imipenem, norfloxacin, gentamycin, vancomycin, erythromycin, tetracycline, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) of 574 isolates showed different rates of phenotypic resistance in bacteria from wastewaters (91.9–94.4%), hospital effluents (73.9%), surface waters (8.2–55.3%) and groundwater (35.1–59.1%). The level of multidrug resistance reached 44.6% in enterococci from hospital effluents. In all samples, except for hospital sewage, the predominant species were E. faecium and E. faecalis. In addition, E. avium, E. durans, E. gallinarum, E. aquimarinus and E. casseliflavus were identified. Enterococcus faecium strains carried the greatest variety of ARGs (bla_TEM-1, aac(6′)-Ie-aph(2″), aac(6′)-Im, vanA, vanB, ermB, mefA, tetB, tetC, tetL, tetM, sul1), while E. avium displayed the highest ARG frequency. Molecular typing using the ERIC2 primer revealed substantial genetic heterogeneity, but also clusters of enterococci from different aquatic compartments. Enterococcal migration under anthropogenic pressure leads to the dispersion of clinically relevant strains into the natural environment and water resources. In conclusion, ERIC-PCR fingerprinting in conjunction with ARG profiling is a useful tool for the molecular typing of clinical and environmental Enterococcus species. These results underline the need of safeguarding water quality as a strategy to limit the expansion and progression of the impending antibiotic-resistance crisis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Resistance and Environmental Health)

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20 pages, 2337 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

The African Wastewater Resistome: Identifying Knowledge Gaps to Inform Future Research Directions

by Akebe Luther King Abia, Themba Baloyi, Afsatou N. Traore and Natasha Potgieter

Antibiotics 2023, 12(5), 805; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12050805 - 24 Apr 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3088

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global public health threat. Furthermore, wastewater is increasingly recognized as a significant environmental reservoir for AMR. Wastewater is a complex mixture of organic and inorganic compounds, including antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents, discharged from hospitals, pharmaceutical industries, and households. Therefore, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are critical components of urban infrastructure that play a vital role in protecting public health and the environment. However, they can also be a source of AMR. WWTPs serve as a point of convergence for antibiotics and resistant bacteria from various sources, creating an environment that favours the selection and spread of AMR. The effluent from WWTPs can also contaminate surface freshwater and groundwater resources, which can subsequently spread resistant bacteria to the wider environment. In Africa, the prevalence of AMR in wastewater is of particular concern due to the inadequate sanitation and wastewater treatment facilities, coupled with the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in healthcare and agriculture. Therefore, the present review evaluated studies that reported on wastewater in Africa between 2012 and 2022 to identify knowledge gaps and propose future perspectives, informing the use of wastewater-based epidemiology as a proxy for determining the resistome circulating within the continent. The study found that although wastewater resistome studies have increased over time in Africa, this is not the case in every country, with most studies conducted in South Africa. Furthermore, the study identified, among others, methodology and reporting gaps, driven by a lack of skills. Finally, the review suggests solutions including standardisation of protocols in wastewater resistome works and an urgent need to build genomic skills within the continent to handle the big data generated from these studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Resistance and Environmental Health)

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15 pages, 784 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Impact of Tetracycline Pollution on the Aquatic Environment and Removal Strategies

by Yernar Amangelsin, Yuliya Semenova, Maryam Dadar, Mohamad Aljofan and Geir Bjørklund

Antibiotics 2023, 12(3), 440; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12030440 - 23 Feb 2023

Cited by 94 | Viewed by 6702

Abstract

Antibacterial drugs are among the most commonly used medications in the world. Tetracycline is a widely used antibiotic for human and animal therapy due to its broad-spectrum activity, high effectiveness, and reasonable cost. The indications for treatment with tetracycline include pneumonia, bone and joint infections, infectious disorders of the skin, sexually transmitted and gastrointestinal infections. However, tetracycline has become a serious threat to the environment because of its overuse by humans and veterinarians and weak ability to degrade. Tetracycline is capable of accumulating along the food chain, causing toxicity to the microbial community, encouraging the development and spread of antibiotic resistance, creating threats to drinking and irrigation water, and disrupting microbial flora in the human intestine. It is essential to address the negative impact of tetracycline on the environment, as it causes ecological imbalance. Ineffective wastewater systems are among the main reasons for the increased antibiotic concentrations in aquatic sources. It is possible to degrade tetracycline by breaking it down into small molecules with less harmful or nonhazardous effects. A range of methods for physical, chemical, and biological degradation exists. The review will discuss the negative effects of tetracycline consumption on the aquatic environment and describe available removal methods. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Resistance and Environmental Health)

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30 pages, 1871 KiB

Open AccessReview

Evolution and Emergence of Antibiotic Resistance in Given Ecosystems: Possible Strategies for Addressing the Challenge of Antibiotic Resistance

by Ramganesh Selvarajan, Chinedu Obize, Timothy Sibanda, Akebe Luther King Abia and Haijun Long

Antibiotics 2023, 12(1), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12010028 - 24 Dec 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 7288

Abstract

Antibiotics were once considered the magic bullet for all human infections. However, their success was short-lived, and today, microorganisms have become resistant to almost all known antimicrobials. The most recent decade of the 20th and the beginning of the 21st century have witnessed the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance (ABR) in different pathogenic microorganisms worldwide. Therefore, this narrative review examined the history of antibiotics and the ecological roles of antibiotics, and their resistance. The evolution of bacterial antibiotic resistance in different environments, including aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, and modern tools used for the identification were addressed. Finally, the review addressed the ecotoxicological impact of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and public health concerns and concluded with possible strategies for addressing the ABR challenge. The information provided in this review will enhance our understanding of ABR and its implications for human, animal, and environmental health. Understanding the environmental dimension will also strengthen the need to prevent pollution as the factors influencing ABR in this setting are more than just antibiotics but involve others like heavy metals and biocides, usually not considered when studying ABR. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Resistance and Environmental Health)

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18 pages, 989 KiB

Open AccessPerspective

Antimicrobial Resistance in the Environment: Towards Elucidating the Roles of Bioaerosols in Transmission and Detection of Antibacterial Resistance Genes

by Paul B. L. George, Florent Rossi, Magali-Wen St-Germain, Pierre Amato, Thierry Badard, Michel G. Bergeron, Maurice Boissinot, Steve J. Charette, Brenda L. Coleman, Jacques Corbeil, Alexander I. Culley, Marie-Lou Gaucher, Matthieu Girard, Stéphane Godbout, Shelley P. Kirychuk, André Marette, Allison McGeer, Patrick T. O’Shaughnessy, E. Jane Parmley, Serge Simard, Richard J. Reid-Smith, Edward Topp, Luc Trudel, Maosheng Yao, Patrick Brassard, Anne-Marie Delort, Araceli D. Larios, Valérie Létourneau, Valérie E. Paquet, Marie-Hélène Pedneau, Émilie Pic, Brooke Thompson, Marc Veillette, Mary Thaler, Ilaria Scapino, Maria Lebeuf, Mahsa Baghdadi, Alejandra Castillo Toro, Amélia Bélanger Cayouette, Marie-Julie Dubois, Alicia F. Durocher, Sarah B. Girard, Andrea Katherín Carranza Diaz, Asmaâ Khalloufi, Samantha Leclerc, Joanie Lemieux, Manuel Pérez Maldonado, Geneviève Pilon, Colleen P. Murphy, Charly A. Notling, Daniel Ofori-Darko, Juliette Provencher, Annabelle Richer-Fortin, Nathalie Turgeon and Caroline Duchaine Show full author list Hide full author list

Antibiotics 2022, 11(7), 974; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11070974 - 19 Jul 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5473

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is continuing to grow across the world. Though often thought of as a mostly public health issue, AMR is also a major agricultural and environmental problem. As such, many researchers refer to it as the preeminent One Health issue. Aerial transport of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria via bioaerosols is still poorly understood. Recent work has highlighted the presence of antibiotic resistance genes in bioaerosols. Emissions of AMR bacteria and genes have been detected from various sources, including wastewater treatment plants, hospitals, and agricultural practices; however, their impacts on the broader environment are poorly understood. Contextualizing the roles of bioaerosols in the dissemination of AMR necessitates a multidisciplinary approach. Environmental factors, industrial and medical practices, as well as ecological principles influence the aerial dissemination of resistant bacteria. This article introduces an ongoing project assessing the presence and fate of AMR in bioaerosols across Canada. Its various sub-studies include the assessment of the emissions of antibiotic resistance genes from many agricultural practices, their long-distance transport, new integrative methods of assessment, and the creation of dissemination models over short and long distances. Results from sub-studies are beginning to be published. Consequently, this paper explains the background behind the development of the various sub-studies and highlight their shared aspects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Resistance and Environmental Health)

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