Research should extend beyond wealthy countries and freshwater settings, review finds. Antibiotic resistance in the environment is not well studied, which may have consequences for human health, according to research.A review of more than 13,000 of studies into antimicrobial resistance – the ability of organisms to resist antimicrobial treatment – over three decades found less than 750 concerning the spread of antibiotic resistance in air, water and green spaces. The bulk of these studies focused on wealthy countries, and on freshwater settings, while low-income regions and other types of environmental settings have to date been overlooked, results showed. Knowledge gap Action is needed to address the knowledge gap, experts say, to avoid letting antibiotic resistance spread in under-studied environments. These might include monitoring the impact of wastewater release, understanding the impact of climate change on atmospheric pollutants, and the exchange of antibiotic-resistant bacteria between land, air and sea.The study, led by the University of Surrey and involving the University of Galway and the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, found that one-third of the studies came from China, followed by the US. Fewer than 1 per cent were led by researchers in countries such as Afghanistan, Ethiopia, and Uganda, where the impact of antibiotic resistance on health is likely to be highest, according to the study in published in Environment International. Antimicrobial resistance in the non-built environment needs to be better understood, experts found. Key questions The research team, which numbered more than 50 scientists, was surprised to also uncover an absence of studies linking antibiotic resistance to climate change and microplastics.While this trend may have shifted in last couple of years as the field has emerged, it is unlikely to have changed substantially, leaving key questions unanswered.They found that antibiotic-resistant bacteria are most often detected in freshwater and soil, particularly in places exposed to pollution from wastewater or manure. Two bacteria were the most studied organisms - Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas - while genes conferring resistance to medicines, including sulphonamides, tetracyclines and beta-lactams, were prominently researched. To understand the development of AMR in the environment, it is key that we study it comprehensively, across a range of circumstances and socio-economic settings. This complex, urgent challenge needs to be understood in terms of its impact across the health of people, animals and the environment, so that mitigating measures can be effective. Dr Iñaki Deza-Cruz Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, said: Despite a growing body of research, our study confirms that we know frighteningly little about how antibiotic resistance behaves in certain regions and environmental contexts. Dr Brian Gardner University of Surrey Related links Scientific publication Image credit: Hans Isaacson/Unsplash. About the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies is a one-of-a-kind centre of excellence in clinical activity, teaching and research. Our purpose-built campus, set against the backdrop of the beautiful Pentland Hills Regional Park, is home to more than 800 staff and almost 1400 students, all of whom contribute to our exceptional community ethos. The School comprises: The Roslin Institute The Roslin Innovation Centre The Hospital for Small Animals Equine Veterinary Services Farm Animal Services Easter Bush Pathology The Animal Welfare Centre We represent the largest concentration of animal science-related expertise in Europe, impacting local, regional, national and international communities in terms of economic growth, the provision of clinical services and the advancement of scientific knowledge. Publication date 06 Aug, 2025
