Anthropocene Magazine · Health

Intensive Farming Linked to Increased Risk of Drug-Resistant Pathogen Spread

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that high-intensity farming practices, common in regions like the U.S. Corn Belt, may contribute to the spread of antibiotic-resistant pathogens to humans.

The research compared soil microbiomes from four farming schemes: high-intensity corn cropping (tilling, synthetic fertilizers, biocides), two medium-intensity schemes (reduced biocides/tilling, manure), and low-intensity grazing. Scientists analyzed antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), mobile genetic elements (MGEs) that transfer resistance, and human pathogens in these soils and in manure used in medium-intensity fields.

While manure contained ARGs and MGEs, their prevalence decreased in medium-intensity fields, likely out-competed by diverse soil microbiomes. In contrast, high-intensity fields, despite receiving no manure, showed higher abundance of ARGs and MGEs.

The study found a significantly higher risk of pathogen transmission to humans from high-intensity fields. This is attributed to lower bacterial diversity and environmental stress from synthetic fertilizers, biocides, and tilling, which may favor bacteria with ARGs and MGEs.

Beyond known environmental costs like greenhouse gas emissions and water pollution, intensive farming may facilitate the spread of drug-resistant pathogens. The findings suggest that soil and crop management strategies could be used to reduce this spread.

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