The Hidden Impact of Soil on Antibiotic Resistance
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Earth.com
A new study led by Jingqiu Liao highlights the role of soil as a reservoir for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), which can spread to pathogenic bacteria, exacerbating the global antibiotic resistance crisis. Human activities like pollution and land-use changes facilitate this gene transfer, posing a significant public health threat. The research, using listeria as a model organism, explores how soil properties and environmental factors influence ARG dynamics, emphasizing the need for strategies to control ARG spread and protect antibiotic efficacy. The study is published in Nature Communications.