Introduction
Climate change is significantly impacting aquatic ecosystems , altering species distribution and abundance , and influencing disease dynamics . Rising temperatures and environmental factors such as population density and water quality are contributing to the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), with both terrestrial activities and human practices, like agriculture and urban waste , exacerbating the issue. Addressing AMR in aquaculture, a sector highly influenced by climate variability , requires a comprehensive approach that incorporates sustainable practices and proactive disease management.
Material and Methods
We conducted a double meta-analysis of 460 scientific publications to assess the impacts of global warming and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) on aquaculture. Our analysis included 11,274 bacterial strains linked to aquaculture across 40 countries. From this , we calculated a Multi-Antibiotic Resistance (MAR) index, revealing that AMR levels are particularly high in low- and middle-income countries.
Results
Our results show that aquaculture MAR indices are positively correlated with clinical AMR levels , environmental temperatures , and national climate vulnerability . Additionally , we found that disease-related mortalities in aquatic animals tend to increase at higher temperatures.
Conclusion
Countries most vulnerable to climate change are likely to face the highest risks from antimicrobial resistance (AMR), with potential impacts extending beyond aquaculture to human health . This underscores the urgent need for sustainable strategies that reduce antibiotic use and enhance the resilience of aquaculture systems.
Refererece
Reverter, et al. Aquaculture at the crossroads of global warming and antimicrobial resistance . Nat. Comm. 2020, 11, 1870.
Combe et al. Impact of GlobalWarming on the Severity of Viral Diseases: A Potentially Alarming Threat to Sustainable AquacultureWorldwide. Microorganisms 2023, 11, 1049.