Soil plays a much bigger role in the spread of antibiotic resistance than one might imagine.
Soil plays a much bigger role in the spread of antibiotic resistance than one might imagine.
Surprisingly, the ground beneath us is packed with antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) — 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.
Jingqiu Liao, assistant professor in civil and environmental engineering, is on a mission to understand how soil bacteria contribute to the growing global issue of antibiotic resistance through a study recently published in Nature Communications. Her team’s findings show that once bacteria acquire these resistant genes, they can be rapidly transmitted to other species as well, making this such a pressing public health threat.
Understanding these patterns can help scientists find ways to control the spread of antibiotic resistance, protecting human health and preserving the effectiveness of antibiotics for future generations.
Read more at Virginia Tech
Photo Credit: Elektro-Plan via Pixabay
