Mitigating Antimicrobial Resistance Through an Ecological One-Health Framework

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Ecology
• Microbiology

Background:

• Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical global challenge, spreading across human, animal, and environmental systems.
• Wastewater, soil, and wildlife serve as key reservoirs for resistant organisms and genes.
• A One Health framework is essential to address AMR as both a medical and ecological crisis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the mechanisms driving AMR emergence and dissemination.
• To explore integrated stewardship, ecological management, and policy interventions for AMR mitigation.
• To analyze selective pressures in clinical and environmental settings influencing resistance.

Main Methods:

• Review of scientific literature on AMR mechanisms and interventions.
• Analysis of selective pressures across clinical and environmental settings.
• Examination of case studies on coordinated surveillance and stewardship programs.

Main Results:

• Judicious antimicrobial use in healthcare and veterinary medicine reduces selective pressure.
• Environmental safeguards like wastewater management decrease AMR transmission risk.
• Coordinated cross-sectoral surveillance provides early warnings of emerging resistomes.

Conclusions:

• Integrated responses addressing interconnected human, animal, and environmental systems are vital for AMR control.
• Ecological thinking and One Health principles are critical for sustainable AMR solutions.
• Embedding One Health into action plans is essential to safeguard biodiversity and preserve antimicrobials.