The scourge of antibiotic resistance: The important role of the environment

Rita L. Finley; Peter Collignon; D. G.Joakim Larsson; Scott A. Mcewen; Xian Zhi Li; William H. Gaze; Richard Reid-Smith; Mohammed Timinouni; David W. Graham; Edward Topp

doi:10.1093/cid/cit355

The scourge of antibiotic resistance: The important role of the environment

Rita L. Finley^*, Peter Collignon, D. G.Joakim Larsson, Scott A. Mcewen, Xian Zhi Li, William H. Gaze, Richard Reid-Smith, Mohammed Timinouni, David W. Graham, Edward Topp

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

499 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance and associated genes are ubiquitous and ancient, with most genes that encode resistance in human pathogens having originated in bacteria from the natural environment (eg, β-lactamases and fluoroquinolones resistance genes, such as qnr). The rapid evolution and spread of "new" antibiotic resistance genes has been enhanced by modern human activity and its influence on the environmental resistome. This highlights the importance of including the role of the environmental vectors, such as bacterial genetic diversity within soil and water, in resistance risk management. We need to take more steps to decrease the spread of resistance genes in environmental bacteria into human pathogens, to decrease the spread of resistant bacteria to people and animals via foodstuffs, wastes and water, and to minimize the levels of antibiotics and antibiotic-resistant bacteria introduced into the environment. Reducing this risk must include improved management of waste containing antibiotic residues and antibiotic-resistant microorganisms.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	704-710
Number of pages	7
Journal	Clinical Infectious Diseases
Volume	57
Issue number	5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/cit355
Publication status	Published - 1 Sept 2013

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title = "The scourge of antibiotic resistance: The important role of the environment",

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AU - Mcewen, Scott A.

AU - Li, Xian Zhi

AU - Gaze, William H.

AU - Reid-Smith, Richard

AU - Timinouni, Mohammed

AU - Graham, David W.

AU - Topp, Edward

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AB - Antibiotic resistance and associated genes are ubiquitous and ancient, with most genes that encode resistance in human pathogens having originated in bacteria from the natural environment (eg, β-lactamases and fluoroquinolones resistance genes, such as qnr). The rapid evolution and spread of "new" antibiotic resistance genes has been enhanced by modern human activity and its influence on the environmental resistome. This highlights the importance of including the role of the environmental vectors, such as bacterial genetic diversity within soil and water, in resistance risk management. We need to take more steps to decrease the spread of resistance genes in environmental bacteria into human pathogens, to decrease the spread of resistant bacteria to people and animals via foodstuffs, wastes and water, and to minimize the levels of antibiotics and antibiotic-resistant bacteria introduced into the environment. Reducing this risk must include improved management of waste containing antibiotic residues and antibiotic-resistant microorganisms.

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The scourge of antibiotic resistance: The important role of the environment

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