Editorial: Antimicrobial resistance in aquatic environments — Bridging surveillance, ecology, and one health action
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Date
2026-06-17
Authors
O'Dwyer, Jean
Hynds, Paul D.
Hooban, Brigid
Ryan, Michael
Burke, Liam P.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier B.V.
Published Version
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is widely recognised as a major global threat, with health and economic consequences extending across and overlapping with human, animal, and environmental systems [1]. Perhaps the best example of a One Health challenge, the so-called AMR “silent pandemic” is a complex problem driven by anthropogenic activities, which must be tackled across the three realms [2]. Efforts to address AMR have historically focused on clinical and agricultural settings, however, there is increasing recognition that environmental pathways play a critical role in the emergence, persistence, and dissemination of antimicrobial resistant organisms (AROs) and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) [3], [4]. Aquatic environments are of particular importance as they receive inputs from diverse anthropogenic sources, including wastewater, agricultural runoff, and industrial discharges, thus creating conditions that support the selection of AROs and horizontal transmission of ARGs [5]. Compounding this, aquatic systems also connect human, animal, and environmental compartments, facilitating the movement of resistant organisms across ecological boundaries [6]. As such, a global strategic priority is understanding the role of aquatic environments, which is central to developing effective and integrated One Health responses to AMR [1]. The objective of this Special Issue of One Health is to advance our understanding of AMR in aquatic systems and identify key methodological and conceptual gaps. To this end, the Guest Editors have herein assembled nine contributions of relevance to the One Health audience.
Description
Keywords
Antimicrobial resistance , Aquatic environments , [BEES]
Citation
O'Dwyer, J, Hynds, P D, Hooban, B, Ryan, M & Burke, L P 2026, 'Editorial: Antimicrobial resistance in aquatic environments — Bridging surveillance, ecology, and one health action', One Health, vol. 22, 101421, pp. 1-2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.onehlt.2026.101421