Environmental reservoirs and transmission pathways of antimicrobial resistance across the pork production continuum (microbiomejournal.biomedcentral.com)

• Longitudinal shotgun metagenomic study from farm to retail
• ARG abundance highest at farms and slaughterhouses, declining at retail
• Slaughterhouse environments were major sources of carcass contamination

"A longitudinal shotgun metagenomic study across the pork production continuum (farm to retail) identified environmental reservoirs and transmission pathways of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). ARG abundance and diversity were highest at farms, slaughterhouses, and processing plants, declining toward retail but clinically relevant resistance persisted. Slaughterhouse environments were major contributors to ARG contamination on carcasses. Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas were key ARG carriers. Co-localization of ARGs with mobile genetic elements indicated ongoing horizontal transfer potential. Resistome composition was shaped by stage-specific environmental sources, suggesting intervention points to mitigate AMR transmission."