A new analysis from the University of Surrey reveals the sparse and inequitable terrain of research into antibiotic resistance. This rigorous research specifically centered on non-built, non-industrial environments. Yet a new study published in the journal Environment International found only 13,000 such research papers over the period from 1990 through 2021. It shined a light on the major gaps in our knowledge of antibiotic resistance throughout the world.
The research, spearheaded by Dr. Brian Gardner, a Research Fellow in Computational Biology at the University of Surrey, underscores an urgent need to address the disparities in antibiotic resistance studies. According to Dr. Gardner, “Although there is a burgeoning body of research, our understanding of antibiotic resistance in rural, peri-urban, and non-traditional settings is limited. This study’s finding is indeed alarming when considering what that might mean for public health and environmental safety worldwide.
Scope of the Study
The study critically reviewed a large body of literature. It found 738 studies that targeted only non-industrialized environments. Our own systematic analysis found that roughly one-third of these studies originated in China. This reality leaves China in a dominant position in this field of study. After China, the United States was the second most prolific contributor to studies.
The study highlighted a troubling trend: fewer than 1% of the research efforts came from low-income countries. Countries like Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Mali, and Uganda were rarely if at all represented in the literature. This absence of representation raises important questions about the visibility of the antibiotic resistance crisis on a global scale. It further underscores the ecological impacts, particularly in areas with fewer healthcare resources.
Key Findings
The study’s results suggest other organisms that have been studied profusely in the realm of antibiotic resistance. Bacteria Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas were the most commonly studied bacteria. Other major themes arising from the analysis included genes associated with resistance to sulfonamides, tetracyclines and beta-lactams.
Dr Lo Iacono is a Senior Lecturer in Biostatistics and Epidemiology at University of Surrey. He added that this basic research is really dependent on teamwork. As he explained, “This research should never have happened, except for the generosity of these 55 colleagues.” Their combined efforts reveal critical trends and gaps in antibiotic resistance studies across different environmental settings.
Implications for Future Research
Dr. Gardner and his team’s research shines a light on a critical and pressing situation. We must adopt a more globally inclusive perspective when studying antibiotic resistance. This is evidenced by the research output from high-income countries being 20 times higher than low-income countries. This gap illustrates that we still have a long way to go to truly comprehend this vital issue.
In addition, as antibiotic resistance threatens the world more and more, it is essential to understand its environmental aspects. These results highlight the need for targeted strategies to support research activity in historically underrepresented areas. These data would not only improve our scientific understanding, but help public health policies better target efforts to combat antibiotic resistance.
