June 04, 2025
High prevalence of AMR in global riverine environments
The One Health Trust’s Dr. Eili Klein co-authored a modeling study estimating that nearly 30 percent of the total mass of annual human consumption of the 40 most commonly used antibiotics (8,500 out of 29,200 tons) is released into the global river system. Global modeling estimates indicate that the greatest burden of river contamination is in southeast Asia, a region already heavily impacted by the consequences of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). These findings underscore the need for improved wastewater treatment infrastructure and localized monitoring to protect surface water quality and reduce the prevalence of environmental AMR in high-burden regions. [PNAS Nexus]
Low intergenerational mobility in learning between parents and children in India
OHT’s Dr. Arindam Nandi and Dr. Ramanan Laxminarayan co-authored a study analyzing test score data from 4,514 parent-child pairs in India, which found that intergenerational mobility in schooling is substantially higher than mobility in learning. The estimated probability that children’s test scores are higher than their fathers’ is 33 percent, with higher mobility in learning among the 2 poorest wealth quintiles (41 percent) compared to the 2 highest wealth quintiles (27 percent). These results indicate that, despite the expansion of school systems and consistent economic growth in India, inequities in learning across wealth quintiles and other subgroups persist. [SSRN]
Microplastics as an environmental reservoir of resistant pathogens
The presence of microplastics in aquatic environments, primarily resulting from anthropogenic activities, may contribute to the spread of pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes in surface waters. A study that incubated water samples from the Oder River—a major central European river flowing through Czechia, Germany, and Poland—with microplastics demonstrated substantial increases in the abundance of several pathogens, including Aeromonas salmonicida, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. These findings may be explained by the concept that microbes compete to utilize microplastics to form biofilms, potentially increasing the geographic range of pathogens and the variety of species they can infect. [Nature Scientific Reports]
Growing rates of azithromycin resistance in men-who-have-sex-with-men in Europe
A retrospective observational study using European Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Program (Euro-GASP) data between 2016 and 2022 found a marked increase in azithromycin resistance, rising from 9.0 percent in 2019 to 24.9 percent in 2022. The findings also revealed that azithromycin resistance was associated with sexual activity among men-who-have-sex-with-men (odds ratio: 2.85). While antimicrobial susceptibility to ceftriaxone, cefixime, and ciprofloxacin antibiotics remained relatively high between 2016 and 2022, the drastic rise in azithromycin resistance in Euro-GASP participating countries warrants an updated review of European gonorrhea treatment guidelines. [The Lancet Regional Health – Europe]
Climatic and socioeconomic factors exacerbate AMR in LMICs in Africa.
The burden of AMR in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in Africa is exacerbated by deepening inequities, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, and a rise in infectious disease incidence. Limited healthcare resources and capacities in African LMICs are compounded by extreme climate events, which cause disruptions and increase the spread of resistant bacterial pathogens among humans, animals, and plants. Addressing the socioeconomic and climatic factors that worsen AMR requires a concerted One Health approach that centers intersectoral partnerships, system strengthening, and education. [Discover Public Health]
Fly-mediated transmission of foodborne pathogens highlights the need for improved biosecurity.
A recent review outlined the various factors influencing the transmission of foodborne pathogens by insect vectors. These include contamination across the food chain (in open-air markets, meat processing facilities, fresh produce farms, and livestock farms), the mechanical transfer of antimicrobial resistance genes, and insect feeding behaviors. Understanding fly-mediated transmission of foodborne pathogens can help identify potential sources of contamination and support the implementation of pest management solutions and biosecurity measures along the food chain. [Journal of Food Protection]
Antimicrobial stewardship to combat extensively drug-resistant typhoid in Pakistan
Extensively drug-resistant (XDR) typhoid in the Sindh province of Pakistan presents both a public health crisis and an emerging global health security threat due to rising antimicrobial resistance driven by the misuse of antibiotics and deteriorating water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure. Despite the development of revolutionary treatments for typhoid in the 1940s, decades of antibiotic misuse and the widespread application of an outdated typhoid diagnostic test have resulted in rising cases of XDR typhoid in Pakistan. Mitigating the international spread of XDR typhoid requires a comprehensive One Health approach to implement effective antibiotic stewardship and prevent further resistance. [PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases]
The perception of mpox vaccination and uptake in Nigerian communities
A qualitative cross-sectional study of community members from four states with a high prevalence of mpox in Nigeria showed mixed reactions to the anticipated roll-out of two mpox vaccines, JYNNEOS and ACAM 200. While some participants expressed willingness to receive the vaccine, others noted mistrust in new vaccines, concerns about potential side effects, and skepticism about the notion of mandatory vaccination. Participants also reported financial and physical barriers to accessing the mpox vaccine. Vaccine education campaigns should develop tailored communication strategies and leverage community health workers to build trust and address financial obstacles to accessing new vaccines. [Discover Public Health]
Wild meat disease prevention practices for rural communities in eastern Gabon
As zoonotic disease emergence remains a global threat, controlling transmission at the human-wildlife interface is critical to reducing exposure risks. In eastern Gabon, 11 rural communities that practice year-round wildlife hunting were surveyed to assess disease risk knowledge and identify alternative practices to reduce transmission for hunters and consumers with regular contact with wild meat. The study observed a relatively low perceived risk of zoonotic diseases among wild meat value chain actors, despite their generally high level of knowledge about how zoonotic diseases are spread. Biosecurity measures designed through a participatory process depend heavily on the individual engagement of wild meat actors, who rely on this practice for their livelihoods. [One Health]
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