This project aims to identify the quantity and quality of available research on the risks of human exposure to environmental antimicrobial resistance.
It will use systematic mapping methodologies to highlight knowledge “gaps” and “gluts”.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is predicted to be the leading cause of death by 2050 , resulting in 10 million deaths globally per year. The UN Environmental Programme Frontiers report highlighted AMR as the most critical emerging environmental pollution problem in 2017.
While there is a wealth of research on the presence of AMR in the environment, there is a perceived lack of research on whether exposure to resistant organisms in the environment can result in colonisation and infection of humans, and cause a subsequent clinical impact.
In mapping the evidence for the risks of human exposure and transmission of AMR from the natural environment, this project will aim to answer two questions:
What research evidence is there about AMR exposure and transmission to humans from the natural environment?
What research evidence is there measuring the prevalence of AMR organisms in the environment in the UK?
This project is funded by the Natural Environment Research Council as part of their Environmental Evidence for the Future funding initiative. You can find out more about that programme here.