Paul George, PhD
Université Laval, Quebec City, QC

The spread of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARG) throughout the environment is of great concern to public health and policymakers. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria can spread throughout the wider environment through the air in bioaerosols and pass ARGs to other bacteria via horizontal gene transfer. It is vital to understand the prevalence of ARGs in the wider environment in order to make actionable policy to stem anthropogenic ARG sources.

We apply a recently developed method using passenger vehicle air filters as passive monitors of airborne bacteria across Canada. A bespoke methodology for collecting fine particulate matter from 476 vehicle air condition filters was developed. DNA was extracted from particulate matter for qPCR (16S, 42 ARGs) and sequencing analyses. Metadata from filter collection sites was collected from various sources.

Microbial biomass was greatest in Canada’s most populated urban areas. Areas with diverse landscapes and medium-to-large populations will have a greater prevalence of ARGs. There is evidence of a widespread distribution of multiple ARGs, for instance, tetracycline resistance genes. Relationships are between environmental and anthropogenic factors and ARG prevalence will be discussed.

This is the first time such an approach has been applied to study antimicrobial resistance genes in outdoor environments across Canada. The sources of ARGs are many, and monitoring methods must account for this variability. The present framework provides a unique framework for integrating passive bioaerosol monitoring into One Health approaches to resistance surveillance.

Learning Objectives:
At the end of this presentation, attendees will be able to:

  • Understand the role and importance of passive bioaerosol sampling;
  • Recognize the role of bioaerosols in disseminating antimicrobial resistance genes; and
  • Appreciate the distribution of antimicrobial resistance genes in outdoor air samples across Canada.

CanMEDS Roles Addressed: Collaborator, Communicator, Scholar