Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria in Air from Swine Farms
Author Information
Author(s): Shawn G. Gibbs, Christopher F. Green, Patrick M. Tarwater, Linda C. Mota, Kristina D. Mena, Pasquale V. Scarpino
Primary Institution: University of Texas Health Science Center, School of Public Health, El Paso, Texas, USA
Hypothesis
The quantity of antibiotic-resistant bacteria would show a negative correlation with distance from the CAFO facility.
Conclusion
Bacterial concentrations with multiple antibiotic resistances were found within and downwind of the facility at higher percentages than upwind.
Supporting Evidence
- The percentage of organisms resistant to at least two classes of antibiotics was 2.1 times higher inside the facility than upwind.
- S. aureus was the most prevalent organism recovered, accounting for 76% of the bacteria inside the CAFO.
- Concentrations of antibiotic-resistant S. aureus decreased with increasing distance from the facility.
Takeaway
This study found that air near pig farms has more bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, which can be harmful to people nearby.
Methodology
Bacterial samples were collected using Andersen two-stage samplers and analyzed for antibiotic resistance using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method.
Limitations
The study only examined culturable bacteria and did not assess nonculturable bacteria.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p = 0.010; p = 0.014; p = 0.007; p = 0.035
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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