Funding

U.S. Department of Agriculture - Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI)

Collaboration

Michelle Soupir, Adina Howe, Daniel Andersen (Iowa State University); Shannon Bartlelt-Hunt, Amy Schmidt, Bing Wang (University of Nebraska-Lincoln)

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is irrevocably linked across numerous environmental contexts.  It is a multifaceted issue, entangling complex natural, biological, and social aspects that jointly determine risks associated with the presence and persistence of AMR. Minimizing its impact requires such an expansive interdisciplinary, multi-scale effort that it has been recognized as a “One Health” issue, incorporating clear linkages between the health of people, animals, and the environment.  This work integrates analysis of antibiotics, AMR genes, and indicator organisms with predictive models and educational components to engage stakeholders to evaluate potential risks and mitigation strategies. 

Overall Objectives:

1. Characterize and predict transport of AMR targets via surface and subsurface pathways in agro-ecosystems;

2. Integrate results into a novel adaptable framework (CAMRADES) to assess risk associated with transport of AMR through agricultural environments to humans as a result of agricultural practices.

3. Improve knowledge of AMR-related risks and inspire adoption of practices among food producers to combat AMR-related health and food safety risks associated with agroecosystems.

Our framework integrates detection of antibiotics, AMR genes, and indicator organisms and exposure pathways in the environment with hydrologic and water quality monitoring. To maximize realized AMR risk reduction, combinations of mitigation strategies will be informed by potential efficacy scenarios encompassing barn, manure, and land management strategies and disseminated using the recognized and trusted iAMResponsibleTM Project platform and Livestock Extension Programs.