Researchers are linking human activity to increased gene transfer from soil bacteria to humans.
Surprisingly, the ground beneath us is packed with antibiotic resistance genes -- tiny codes that allow bacteria to resist antibiotics. Human activities, such as pollution and changing land use, can disturb soil ecosystems and make it easier for resistance genes to transfer from soil bacteria and infect humans.
One such bacterium is Listeria monocytogenes. This soil dweller can make its way into the food chain and cause a serious illness called listeriosis. For people with weakened immune systems, listeriosis can be deadly, with fatality rates as high as 20 to 30 percent. Because of its ability to spread ARGs and infect humans, listeria is an important model for studying how antibiotic resistance develops in soil and spreads to other environments.
For the findings published in Nature Communications team members analyzed close to 600 listeria genomes from soil samples that Liao collected in a previous study, published in Nature Microbiology. They identified five main ARGs from across the United States. "Although resistance in clinical listeria cases is currently low, these bacteria naturally resist several antibiotics and are showing increased resistance to others," Liao said."This makes listeriaa good model for tracking ARG development before it becomes a widespread clinical issue."The study also highlighted how the soil's properties and land use can affect ARG spread.
For households, it is important for people to avoid activities that may disturb soil conditions, such as improperly disposing of waste that may cause metal contamination. Liao said it is also important to maintain good sanitation practices after contact with soils, such as after gardening, given the possible presence of ARGs and resistant bacteria.
"Establishing a fundamental understanding of the ecological drivers of these bacteria in the soil could help us better understand the emergence, evolution, and spread of antibiotic resistance," said Liao."This is an urgent, global public health threat."
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