News

HKU Civil Engineering Researchers Reveal How Soil and Human Antibiotic Resistance Are Connected

December 21, 2025

21 Dec 2025    Download All Photos

Fig. 1 Similarity between soil resistomes and those from other habitats

 "... Professor Zhang’s team analysed nearly 4,000 genetic datasets from different environments, including soil, feces, and wastewater, and examined over 8,000 strains of Escherichia coli. They found that the risk posed by soil ARGs has been steadily increasing from 2008 to 2021. This rise is closely connected to the growing similarity between soil and human bacterial resistance patterns, driven by the transfer of resistance genes between bacteria.

This research has important implications for public health. It suggests that efforts to fight antibiotic resistance should not focus solely on hospitals, but also on environmental sources, such as soil. A comprehensive approach, which experts call “One Health” strategy, must involve better waste management to prevent antibiotics and ARGs from entering soils, stricter rules and regulations on antibiotic use in farming, and ongoing monitoring of soil environments. ..."

SEE: HKU Civil Engineering Researchers Reveal How Soil and Human Antibiotic Resistance Are Connected - Press Releases - Media - HKU

https://www.hku.hk/press/press-releases/detail/28847.html

Quick Links