Antibiotics and Resistance Genes in Environment

Dear Colleagues,

The emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest threats to global public health. Antibiotics are widely used in human and veterinary medicine to treat bacterial infections, but their overuse and misuse have led to the development of resistant bacteria. Resistance genes can be transferred between bacteria, spreading antibiotic resistance rapidly and making it difficult to treat infections. In addition, antibiotics and resistance genes can enter the environment through various routes, such as wastewater discharge, agricultural runoff, and land application of manure, posing a potential risk to human health and the ecosystem. Understanding the sources, fate, and transport of these contaminants in the environment is crucial for developing effective strategies to mitigate their impact on human health and the ecosystem.

This Special Issue will focus on highlighting timely research studies addressing antibiotics and resistance genes in the environment. Authors are invited and welcome to submit original research papers, reviews, and short communications.

Topics may include, but are not limited, to the following:

(1) Studies on the occurrence, distribution, and persistence of antibiotics and resistance genes in various environmental matrices (e.g., water, soil, sediment, air);
(2) Investigation of the sources and pathways of antibiotic and resistance gene contamination in the environment;
(3) Development and application of novel detection methods for antibiotics and resistance genes;
(4) Assessment of the ecological and human health risks associated with antibiotic and resistance gene pollution;
(5) Evaluation of the effectiveness of mitigation strategies for reducing antibiotic and resistance gene levels in the environment;
(6) Insights into the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance development and spread in environmental settings;
(7) Studies on the interaction between antibiotics, resistance genes, and microbial communities in the environment.

Dr. Fengxia Yang
Dr. Shimei Zheng
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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