Seasonal disparities and source tracking of airborne antibiotic resistance genes in Handan, China

The transmission of airborne antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) loaded on particle is a significant global public health concern. Up to date, the dispersal pattern of airborne ARGs remains unclear despite their critical role in multiregional transmission. In this study, airborne ARGs loaded on fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and source tracking based on the airflow trajectories were performed by the potential source contribution function (PSCF) and concentration weighted trajectory (CWT) model. The results show that the absolute abundance of ARG subtypes were generally twice times higher in the winter season than that in the summer season, which could be attributable to winter haze events with high particulate matter concentrations in Handan. Exogenous input from serious haze events and local release of ARGs loaded on PM2.5 of air masses may cause higher levels of ARGs in the winter. Moreover, based on the positive correlation between the abundance of ARGs and PM2.5 concentration, a source tracing model of airborne ARGs was proposed to the estimate of ARGs release and dissemination. This study highlights airborne ARGs transmission loaded on PM2.5 of air masses, which facilitating the global spread of antibiotic resistance.

Automated summary

This study reveals that the absolute abundance of ARG subtypes in winter is generally twice as high as in summer, possibly due to winter haze events with high particulate matter concentrations in Handan. Exogenous input from serious haze events and local release of ARGs loaded on PM2.5 of air masses may cause higher levels of ARGs in the winter.