Systematic detection and mitigation of antimicrobial resistance in soil environment and animal health contributing to human health

Since the discovery of penicillin, antibiotics have made a great contribution to combating bacterial infections and saving human lives. Unfortunately, the extensive use of antibiotics in clinical treatment and livestock production to promote growth and prevent diseases worldwide has led to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which has become an urgent global public health threat, killing at least 1.27 million people globally and associated with nearly 5 million deaths in 2019 (www.cdc.gov). Effective detection and mitigation of AMR spreading requires joint efforts of the international community. Application of animal manures or manure-based organic fertilizers, especially from swine production which is a primary reservoir for antibiotic resistant bacteria, amplifies the risk of horizontal gene transfer of AMR from animal production systems to the agricultural environment and food chain (e.g., vegetables and fruits), potentially impacting animal and human health. Our SiNorAMR project aims to tackle AMR by establishing a systematic detection method for AMR and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) to mitigate AMR in the soil agricultural ecosystem and control ARGs and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria during animal production through Sino-Norwegian collaboration, contributing to "One Health". The SiNorAMR consortium led by NIBIO consists of stakeholders representing academia and private companies in Norway and China covering all the required expertise for the project. Through this SiNorAMR project, Norwegian experience in reducing and eliminating antibiotic use in animal feed, and knowledge, methodologies and solutions developed in this project, can be shared with our Chinese partners, and subsequently implemented in China in the future. Thus, this SiNorAMR project is a timely initiative to contribute to science-based solutions to support policy and law enforcement to mitigate AMR, a global threat to "One Health".

Antibiotics are widely used in animal husbandry to promote growth and prevent diseases, but global spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and antimicrobial-resistant genes (ARGs) due to the abuse of antibiotics has caused severe challenge to "One Health" (www.who.int). Application of animal manures or manure-based organic fertilizers, especially from swine production which is a primary reservoir for antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB), amplifies the risk of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of AMR from animal production systems to the agricultural environment and food chain (e.g., vegetables and fruits), potentially impacting animal and human health. Our SiNorAMR project aims to tackle AMR by establishing a systematic detection method for AMR and ARGs to mitigate AMR in the soil agricultural ecosystem and control the ARGs and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria (ARB) during animal production through Norway-China collaboration, contributing to "One Health". The project is led by a senior female scientist with a consortium consisting of experienced senior group leaders balanced with junior scientists and PhD students from Norway (NIBIO, NMBU, NVI) and China (HAAS, NJAU) to assure successful execution of the project and to achieve the anticipated outcomes. Urban Gartneren AS in Norway play a key role in the designed two case studies. China ranks on the top in terms of antibiotic consumption and has imposed law enforcement to reduce the AMR problem. Through this SiNorAMR project, Norwegian experience in reducing and eliminating antibiotic use in animal feed and knowledge, methodologies and solutions developed in this project can be shared with our Chinese partners, and subsequently implemented in China in the future. Thus, this SiNorAMR project is a timely initiative to contribute to science-based solutions to support the policy and law enforcement to mitigate the AMR, a global threat to "One Health".