The Scourge of Antibiotic Resistance: The Important Role of the Environment
Open accessAbstract
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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Antibiotic resistance is ubiquitous in the environment but is exacerbated in places with diverse bacterial communities and pronounced anthropogenic pollution.
“Antibiotic resistance is considered ubiquitous in the environment but is exacerbated in places with diverse bacterial communities and pro nounced anthropogenic pollution (Finley et al., 2013; Tello et al., 2012).”
From Review of emerging contaminants in green stormwater infrastructure: antibiotic resistance genes, microplastics, tire wear particles, PFAS, and temperature (2024) · cites this paper as Finley et al., 2013
Antibiotic resistance is ubiquitous in the environment.
“Antibiotic resistance is considered ubiquitous in the environment.”
From Review of emerging contaminants in green stormwater infrastructure: antibiotic resistance genes, microplastics, tire wear particles, PFAS, and temperature (2024) · cites this paper as Finley et al., 2013
Soils will still contain ARGs regardless of the amount of urban stormwater input.
“Therefore, soils will still contain ARGs regardless of the amount of urban stormwater input (Finley et al., 2013).”
From Review of emerging contaminants in green stormwater infrastructure: antibiotic resistance genes, microplastics, tire wear particles, PFAS, and temperature (2024) · cites this paper as Finley et al., 2013
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- Authors
- Finley, R. L., Collignon, P., Larsson, D. G. J., McEwen, S. A., Li, X.-Z., Gaze, W. H., Reid-Smith, R., Timinouni, M., Graham, D. W., & Topp, E.
- Affiliations
- Public Health Agency of Canada (CA)
- Australian National University (AU)
- University of Gothenburg (SE)
- Ontario Veterinary College (CA)
- Health Canada (CA)
- Royal Cornwall Hospital (GB)
- Institut Pasteur du Maroc (MA)
- Newcastle University (GB)
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Finley, R. L.
- Venue
- Clinical Infectious Diseases
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2013-05-30
- Volume
- 57
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 704-710
- ISSN
- 1058-4838 (ISSN-L)
- 1537-6591
- OpenAlex
- W2165853813
- Cited by
- 636
- References
- 70
- Citations by year
- 2026: 22 · 2025: 44 · 2024: 55 · 2023: 46 · 2022: 65 · 2021: 67 · 2020: 60 · 2019: 54 · 2018: 61 · 2017: 47 · 2016: 33 · 2015: 43 · 2014: 34 · 2013: 5
- FWCI
- 2.94
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- doi.org
- Locations
- Clinical Infectious Diseases (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- ANU Open Research (Australian National University) (submittedVersion)
- Newcastle University ePrints (Newcastle Univesity)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental Impacts
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Medicine › Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria
- Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology › Antibiotic Use and Resistance
- Keywords
- antibiotic resistance, environmental resistome, antibiotic resistance genes, horizontal gene transfer, soil bacteria, waterborne bacteria, beta-lactamase, qnr genes, foodborne transmission, waste management, antibiotic residues, human pathogens
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Anti-Bacterial Agents, Bacteria, Bacterial Infections, Drug Utilization, Humans, Selection, Genetic, Water Purification, Gene Transfer, Horizontal, Drug Resistance, Bacterial
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