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Published on: August 22, 2018
Animal farms are hot spots for airborne antimicrobial resistance
Huibo Xin1, Min Gao2, Xuming Wang2
1Beijing Key Laboratory for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-remediation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China.
Abstract:
Animal farms are known reservoirs for environmental antimicrobial resistance (AMR). However, knowledge of AMR burden in the air around animal farms remains disproportionately limited. In this study, we characterized the airborne AMR based on the quantitative information of 30 antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), four mobile genetic elements (MGEs), and four human pathogenic bacteria (HPBs) involving four animal species from 20 farms. By comparing these genes with those in animal feces, the distinguishing features of airborne AMR were revealed, which included high enrichment of ARGs and their potential mobility to host HPBs. We found that depending on the antimicrobial class, the mean concentration of airborne ARGs in the animal farms ranged from 102 to 104 copies/m3 and was accompanied by a considerable intensity of MGEs and HPBs (approximately 103 copies/m3). Although significant correlations were observed between the ARGs and bacterial communities of air and fecal samples, the abundance of target genes was generally high in fine inhalable particles (PM2.5), with an enrichment ratio of up to 102 in swine and cattle farms. The potential transferability of airborne ARGs was universally strengthened, embodied by a pronounced co-occurrence of ARGs-MGEs in air compared with that in feces. Exposure analysis showed that animal farmworkers may inhale approximately 104 copies of human pathogenic bacteria-associated genera per day potentially carrying highly transferable ARGs, including multidrug resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Moreover, PM2.5 inhalation posed higher human daily intake burdens of some ARGs than those associated with drinking water intake. Overall, our findings highlight the severity of animal-related airborne AMR and the subsequent inhalation exposure, thus improving our understanding of the airborne flow of AMR genes from animals to humans. These findings could help develop strategies to mitigate the human exposure and dissemination of ARGs across different media.
Insights
Animal farms spread antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through the air. Airborne antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) and bacteria pose inhalation risks, especially via fine particles (PM2.5), impacting farmworkers and potentially spreading AMR.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
- Public health
Background:
- Animal farms are significant reservoirs for environmental antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
- The burden of AMR in the air surrounding animal farms is not well understood.
- Airborne transmission of AMR genes (ARGs) and pathogens poses potential human health risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify and characterize airborne antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), mobile genetic elements (MGEs), and human pathogenic bacteria (HPBs) around animal farms.
- To compare airborne AMR profiles with those in animal feces to identify unique airborne characteristics.
- To assess the potential for airborne AMR transfer to human pathogens and evaluate human inhalation exposure risks.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative analysis of 30 ARGs, 4 MGEs, and 4 HPBs in air samples from 20 animal farms.
- Comparison of airborne gene profiles with those found in animal fecal samples.
- Analysis of ARG abundance in fine inhalable particles (PM2.5) and assessment of co-occurrence with MGEs.
- Estimation of daily inhalation exposure for farmworkers to airborne ARGs and associated bacteria.
Main Results:
- Airborne ARGs concentrations ranged from 10^2 to 10^4 copies/m^3, accompanied by MGEs and HPBs at approximately 10^3 copies/m^3.
- Airborne ARGs were significantly enriched in PM2.5 particles, especially in swine and cattle farms (enrichment ratio up to 10^2).
- Airborne ARGs showed increased potential for transferability due to pronounced co-occurrence with MGEs compared to feces.
- Farmworkers may inhale ~10^4 copies of bacteria carrying transferable ARGs daily, including multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
- Inhalation of PM2.5 posed a higher daily intake burden for some ARGs than drinking water.
Conclusions:
- Animal farm-related airborne AMR is a significant environmental concern with substantial inhalation exposure risks.
- Airborne ARGs, particularly within PM2.5, demonstrate enhanced transferability and pose a direct exposure pathway to humans.
- Findings underscore the need for strategies to mitigate human exposure and the dissemination of ARGs from animal farms.
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