Climate Change Drives Rise in Antibiotic-Resistant Food Poisoning Bacteria... What Did Researchers Identify as the Cause?

International Research Team Analyzes 480,000 Cases from 139 Countries
10% of Increase in Antibiotic Resistance Linked to Climate Change

A new study has found that climate change could accelerate the spread of antibiotic resistance in Salmonella, a bacterium responsible for food poisoning. When bacteria develop antibiotic resistance, existing medications become less effective, making infections more difficult to treat. The researchers analyzed that climate factors such as rising temperatures and changes in precipitation are linked to the increase in resistance genes.

On May 26 (local time), The Guardian cited a joint study conducted by international researchers from the UK, France, China, and other countries. The findings were published in the medical journal The Lancet Planetary Health.

The research team analyzed over 480,000 Salmonella genomes collected from 139 countries worldwide between 1940 and 2023. They found that approximately 10% of the increase in Salmonella's antibiotic resistance genes was related to climate change.

Salmonella is a leading cause of food poisoning, typically transmitted through contaminated food or water, and causes symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and fever. Most patients recover, but symptoms can become severe in young children, the elderly, or people with weakened immune systems.

In particular, when antibiotic resistance develops, existing treatments become much less effective, making infections significantly harder to cure. Antibiotic resistance has long been identified as a major threat to global health, and it is estimated that more than 1 million people die each year due to issues related to antibiotic resistance.

The researchers explained that environmental changes such as rising temperatures, heavy rainfall, and droughts may enhance bacteria's ability to adapt to antibiotics. They also found that as climate change alters the environments where bacteria can survive and spread, the process by which bacteria exchange antibiotic resistance genes may become more active.

In fact, in 82% of the countries studied, there was an increase in the antibiotic resistance genes of Salmonella. The increase related to climate change was most pronounced in the Middle East and North Africa, followed by South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

However, the researchers emphasized that the primary cause of the increase in resistance genes is still the misuse and overuse of antibiotics. They pointed out that, in the future, not only responsible antibiotic use and strengthened disease surveillance, but also addressing climate change will be necessary to slow the spread of antibiotic resistance.

The research team stated, "To curb the spread of antibiotic resistance, climate change mitigation policies and strengthened antibiotic management systems must be pursued together."

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