Antimicrobial resistance and climate change in the One Health food safety paradigm: A global perspective.

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and climate change are two converging global health challenges that threaten food safety and public health. The One Health framework emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health in tackling AMR. However, the extent to which climate change influences AMR dynamics across these sectors remains underexplored. This systematic review aims to synthesize recent evidence on the relationship between AMR, climate change, and food safety using a One Health approach, focusing on the prevalence and distribution of resistant bacteria across human, animal, food, and environmental sources. Following PRISMA guidelines, we systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus for English-language review articles published up to January 2024. Nine studies met inclusion criteria and were evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist. We extracted 1171 observations on AMR patterns and calculated the multiple antibiotic resistance index (MARI) for 59 countries. Reported climatic variables including temperature, season, rainfall, heatwave, and sea level were also analysed. High MARI values (mean = 0.40) were reported in 86 % of countries, with the highest burden in Asia and Africa. Resistant bacteria were primarily isolated from environmental (54.9 %) and food (34.6 %) sources, especially aquaculture and seafood. Vibrio spp., Aeromonas spp., and Salmonella spp. were the most prevalent pathogens. Temporal trends indicated a rise in AMR prevalence coinciding with increasing global temperatures. Climatic factors particularly temperature was frequently cited as contributing factor to AMR proliferation. Our findings highlight the growing impact of climate change on AMR dissemination through food and environmental reservoirs, particularly in aquaculture-dominated regions. Integrated One Health strategies that address both AMR and climate risks are urgently needed to safeguard food safety and publ