How metal in your neighbourhood soil can boost superbugs

NATURAL metal levels in the environment are contributing to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance, a project led by scientists at a Scottish university has found.

The research has found that antibiotic resistant genes (ARG), which are among the primary causes of the “superbug” epidemic, are more prevalent in areas of high metal content.

The project, carried out by a team from Strathclyde University and other universities, involved the examination of soils throughout Scotland and found a strong correlation between the natural levels of metal and the relative resistance.

It says the misuse, or overuse, of antibiotics in medicine and agricultural operations are major suspects for increased antibiotic resistance.

However, less attention has been paid to the capacity for natural environments to affect resistance.

The research said high levels of metal are found in soil, which are often natural, but can also be caused by pollution, waste discharge or former industrial use.

Antibiotic resistance (AR) is where an infection is able to survive exposure to an antibiotic designed to improve the condition of the patient.

The team believes a better understanding of geographical areas of concern could help combat the problem and ensure antibiotics medicines improve illness.

The scientists examined 46 randomly selected archived soils originally collected across Scotland between the 1940s and 1970s.

Results suggest copper appears to be a key major factor in soil ARG as well as chromium and iron. It suggests further studies are now carried out.

The research was conducted by Strathclyde, Newcastle and Western Sydney universities as well as the James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen.

Dr Charles Knapp, from Strathclyde’s civil engineering department, said: “There is a growing concern about antibiotic resistance in natural and clinical settings, and the World Health Organisation considers it to be a global problem.

“There is an assumption that improper use of antibiotics is the sole cause of resistance. However, the vast majority of antibiotic resistant genes have originated from the natural environment.

“Therefore, understanding the factors that influence the levels of these genes is critical to tackling the problem.”

Dr Knapp added: “The research provided us with a unique opportunity to examine how geochemical and soil-metal conditions affect the selection and prevalence of resistant genes in nature.”

The paper, “Antibiotic Resistance Gene Abundances Correlate with Metal and Geochemical Conditions in Archived Scottish Soils” has been published in the Public Library of Science’s One journal.