Dispersion of antimicrobial resistant bacteria in pig farms and in the surrounding environment

A study in Italy analyzed the diversity of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in a pig food chain from weaning to slaughterhouse. The researchers identified 530 species-level genome bins (SGBs) and 309 SGBs shared between the animal’s gut microbiome and internal and external farm environments. The results highlight the need for effective countermeasures to limit ARG dispersion in pig food systems and the importance of metagenomics-based approaches for monitoring ARG spread and farm safety.