Wildfire smoke and antimicrobial resistance: A hidden link demanding global attention

Wildfire smoke represents an underrecognized yet potentially important contributor to the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). As wildfires increase in frequency and intensity due to climate change, they release vast amounts of PM_2.5, particles with the potential to transport antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms and genetic elements across long distances. These severe air pollution events create multifactorial pressures on human and environmental health: increasing antimicrobial prescriptions through respiratory and systemic illnesses, overwhelming healthcare systems, and facilitating the environmental spread of multidrug-resistant strains through deposition in water, soil, and agri-food systems. This perspective highlights how wildfire-related PM_2.5 may act as a direct vehicle and an indirect driver of AMR propagation across One Health domains. We emphasize the urgent need to integrate AMR surveillance into air quality monitoring, particularly in vulnerable regions. Understanding this possible relationship is essential for informing future research priorities, guiding public health strategies, and advancing interdisciplinary approaches to address these converging global health threats.