Monitoring antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes in agricultural environments is important for understanding and curbing the spread of resistance within ecosystems. Livestock waste, such as fecal slurry from pigs and cattle manure, often harbors AMR genes, which can be transferred to pathogenic bacteria, posing risks to both animal and human health. (1-3) Agricultural waste can also contain zoonotic pathogens like viruses and parasites, further compounding health risks. The widespread use of antibiotics in livestock contributes to the presence of resistance genes, such as tetM (tetracycline resistance) and sul2 (sulfonamide resistance), in livestock waste samples. These genes can spread to other bacteria through horizontal gene transfer, exacerbating the AMR threat.4 Manure application on agricultural fields disseminates these genes into the soil microbiome, potentially impacting both animal and human health. (2,4)
In addition to AMR genes, zoonotic pathogens in livestock waste, including viruses and parasites like Cryptosporidium and Giardia, pose significant health risks. Viral infections can lead to disease outbreaks in livestock, affecting both productivity and increasing the risk of zoonotic transmission to humans, especially those in close contact with animals. Parasites like Giardia also present direct risks to human health through contaminated water or handling infected animals. Effective detection and monitoring of these pathogens are important in preventing outbreaks and managing
zoonotic transmission risks.
The combined threat of AMR genes, zoonotic viruses, and parasites in livestock waste highlights the need for broad surveillance programs. These programs can guide interventions to reduce the risks associated with using livestock waste in agriculture, particularly within the One Health framework, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. (1-3)

APPLICATION NOTE SKU 44XXX, 65XXX, 10XXX
Lit # SL-AN31391
Comments