Researchers Explore How Pesticides Contribute to AMR
A recent article authored by scientists affiliated with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) stresses the importance of conscientiously choosing pesticides for use on food crops to mitigate the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Through a One Health lens, the review examines how certain bactericides, fungicides, and other pesticides contribute to the global public health threat of AMR, underlines knowledge gaps, and recommends future work.
The use of pesticides and other agricultural chemicals can lead to AMR in human and plant pathogens. At present, human infections by bacteria with AMR traits cause over 700,000 deaths annually. If left unchecked, by 2050, it is estimated that AMR infections will be responsible for 10 million deaths each year.