Antimicrobial resistance in soil and the potential impact on the food chain

New research at the University of Southampton is to investigate if large amounts of antibiotic resistant bacteria are present in agricultural soil which may spread into the food chain.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the major issues facing society: by 2050, if not tackled, it will kill more people than cancer, and cost, globally, more than the size of the current global economy (Review on Antimicrobial Resistance, 2014).

The aim of the research is to understand how AMR is introduced into natural soil bacteria, for example from manures applied by farmers or exposure to domesticated or wild animal and bird faecal droppings, and how this transfer takes place in different soil types.

The research will be able to help inform Government AMR policy and management strategies.

Professor Bill Keevil and Dr Marc Dumont from the University's Network on Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Prevention (NAMRIP) are leading the study. Professor Keevil said: "The project addresses if antibiotic resistant bacteria introduced by agricultural practice (animal husbandry, human wastewater disposal, improperly composted manures) or domesticated and wild animal faecal droppings contribute antibiotic resistance genes to the soil microbiome communities or gain resistance genes from the soil antibiotic resistance gene pool (the 'resistome'), becoming more difficult to treat if they are spread in the food chain causing disease."

Provided by University of Southampton