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Aerosol-Mediated Spread of Antibiotic Resistance Genes: Biomonitoring Indoor and Outdoor Environments

Author

Listed:
  • Nazima Habibi

    (Environment and Life Science Research Centre, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Shuwaikh 13109, Kuwait)

  • Saif Uddin

    (Environment and Life Science Research Centre, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Shuwaikh 13109, Kuwait)

  • Montaha Behbehani

    (Environment and Life Science Research Centre, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Shuwaikh 13109, Kuwait)

  • Abu Salim Mustafa

    (Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Jabriya 13060, Kuwait)

  • Wadha Al-Fouzan

    (Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Jabriya 13060, Kuwait)

  • Hanan A. Al-Sarawi

    (Environment Public Authority, Shuwaikh 13001, Kuwait)

  • Hussain Safar

    (OMICS-RU, Health Science Centre, Kuwait University, Jabriya 13060, Kuwait)

  • Fatemah Alatar

    (Serology and Molecular Microbiology Reference Laboratory, Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital, Ministry of Health, Kuwait City 13110, Kuwait)

  • Rima M. Z. Al Sawan

    (Neonatology Department, Farwaniya Hospital, Ministry of Health, Sabah Al-Nasser 92426, Kuwait)

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a conspicuous global public health threat. The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched the “One-Health” approach, which encourages the assessment of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) within an environment to constrain and alleviate the development of AMR. The prolonged use and overuse of antibiotics in treating human and veterinary illnesses, and the inability of wastewater treatment plants to remove them have resulted in elevated concentrations of these metabolites in the surroundings. Microbes residing within these settings acquire resistance under selective pressure and circulate between the air–land interface. Initial evidence on the indoor environments of wastewater treatment plants, hospitals, and livestock-rearing facilities as channels of AMR has been documented. Long- and short-range transport in a downwind direction disseminate aerosols within urban communities. Inhalation of such aerosols poses a considerable occupational and public health risk. The horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is another plausible route of AMR spread. The characterization of ARGs in the atmosphere therefore calls for cutting-edge research. In the present review, we provide a succinct summary of the studies that demonstrated aerosols as a media of AMR transport in the atmosphere, strengthening the need to biomonitor these pernicious pollutants. This review will be a useful resource for environmental researchers, healthcare practitioners, and policymakers to issue related health advisories.

Suggested Citation

  • Nazima Habibi & Saif Uddin & Montaha Behbehani & Abu Salim Mustafa & Wadha Al-Fouzan & Hanan A. Al-Sarawi & Hussain Safar & Fatemah Alatar & Rima M. Z. Al Sawan, 2024. "Aerosol-Mediated Spread of Antibiotic Resistance Genes: Biomonitoring Indoor and Outdoor Environments," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(8), pages 1-18, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:8:p:983-:d:1444108
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ewa Brągoszewska & Izabela Biedroń, 2018. "Indoor Air Quality and Potential Health Risk Impacts of Exposure to Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in an Office Rooms in Southern Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-17, November.
    2. Montaha Behbehani & Fernando Piedade Carvalho & Saif Uddin & Nazima Habibi, 2021. "Enhanced Polonium Concentrations in Aerosols from the Gulf Oil Producing Region and the Role of Microorganisms," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-20, December.
    3. Yaying Li & Hongkai Liao & Huaiying Yao, 2019. "Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Air-Conditioning Systems in Hospitals, Farms, and Residences," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-14, February.
    4. Mridula Gupta & Seungjun Lee & Michael Bisesi & Jiyoung Lee, 2019. "Indoor Microbiome and Antibiotic Resistance on Floor Surfaces: An Exploratory Study in Three Different Building Types," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-11, October.
    5. Nazima Habibi & Saif Uddin & Fadila Al Salameen & Montaha Behbehani & Faiz Shirshikhar & Nasreem Abdul Razzack & Anisha Shajan & Farhana Zakir Hussain, 2021. "Collection of Bacterial Community Associated with Size Fractionated Aerosols from Kuwait," Data, MDPI, vol. 6(12), pages 1-7, November.
    6. Hanan A. Al-Sarawi & Afrah B. Najem & Brett P. Lyons & Saif Uddin & Mohammad A. Al-Sarawi, 2022. "Antimicrobial Resistance in Escherichia coli Isolated from Marine Sediment Samples from Kuwait Bay," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-11, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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