Atmospheric antibiotic resistome driven by air pollutants

The atmosphere is an important reservoir and habitat for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and is a main pathway to cause potential health risks through inhalation and ingestion. However, the distribution characteristics of ARGs in the atmosphere and whether they were driven by atmospheric pollutants remain unclear. We annotated 392 public air metagenomic data worldwide and identified 1863 ARGs, mainly conferring to tetracycline, MLS, and multidrug resistance. We quantified these ARG's risk to human health and identified their principal pathogenic hosts, Burkholderia and Staphylococcus. Additionally, we found that bacteria in particulate contaminated air carry more ARGs than in chemically polluted air. This study revealed the influence of typical pollutants in the global atmosphere on the dissemination and risk of ARGs, providing a theoretical basis for the prevention and mitigation of the global risks associated with ARGs.