Environmental factors attributed on dissemination of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) through PM2.5 and PM10

Abstract

An increasing global health concern is antibiotic resistance, involving antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and their antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), particularly through inhalation of airborne bioaerosols. Airborne transmission helps spread resistant pathogens across regions and populations. Despite their substantial impact in human exposure, ARB and ARGs in air particles have received less attention than antibiotic resistance in soil and water. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines were implemented in conducting the review. The search focused on scientific articles focusing on ARB and ARGs disseminated through PM_2.5 and PM₁₀. The review was restricted to English-language works published between 2017 and 2024 that have been published in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. Following screening of 352 publications across the globe, only 30 publications of note were identified. Some of the most commonly identified ARBs are the genera Pseudomonas spp., Staphylococcus spp., Burkholderia spp., Sphingomonas spp., Bacillus spp. and Bacteroides spp. Most prevalent ARGs that have been identified in the urban air include resistance to the multiple antibiotic classes, including tetracyclines (tetM, tetW, tetO), sulfonamides (sul1, sul2), macrolides (ermB, ermC), ß-lactams (blaTEM, blaCTX-M), quinolones (qnrS) and aminoglycosides (aadD). This report outlines current research on ARB and ARGs in urban air, where issues are increased by pollution and dense populations. It highlights key sources, including natural environments, industries, wastewater treatment and hospitals. Furthermore, it explores how meteorological factors such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, and air particles impact their dissemination.