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Genes

Urban Organic Manure Application Enhances Antibiotic Resistance Gene Diversity and Potential Human Pathogen Abundance in Invasive Giant African Snails

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Research on the effects of urban organic manure application on the microbial ecology of invasive species has revealed significant alterations in the gut bacterial community structure and increased antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) diversity in giant African snails. The study, conducted by a team of researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, found that manure application increased the relative abundance of potential human pathogens, particularly Pseudomonadaceae, in snail feces. These findings suggest that urban green spaces may serve as reservoirs and vectors of ARGs and human pathogens, highlighting the need for further research on the impacts of manure application on the microbial ecology of invasive species.

Key Takeaways:

  • Urban organic manure application significantly altered gut bacterial community structure in giant African snails, increasing ARG diversity by enriching specific high-risk ARGs.
  • Manure application led to the introduction of eight novel ARG subtypes, despite decreasing overall ARG abundance, in snail feces.
  • The relative abundance of potential human pathogens, particularly Pseudomonadaceae, was greatly increased by manure application.
  • The study's results reveal that urban green spaces may serve as reservoirs and vectors of ARGs and human pathogens.
  • The research highlights the need for further investigation into the impacts of manure application on the microbial ecology of invasive species.
  • The findings have significant implications for urban planning, particularly in relation to the management of urban green spaces.

Statistics:

  • The relative abundance of potential human pathogens, particularly Pseudomonadaceae, increased by 2.89 times in snail feces treated with manure compared to the control group.
  • The Feces group showed a 2.43 times increase in ARG diversity compared to the Control group.
  • Manure application introduced eight novel ARG subtypes in snail feces.
  • The study investigated the effects of organic manure application on 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing and metagenomic analysis of snail gut microbiomes.

Sources:

  • Urban organic manure application enhances antibiotic resistance gene diversity and potential human pathogen abundance in invasive giant African snails. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 2025;158:610-620.
  • Chinese Academy of Sciences. State Key Laboratory for Ecological Security of Regions and Cities, Ningbo Observation and Research Station, Institute of Urban Environment.
  • Yiyue Zhang, Zhonghui Tang, Huayuan Shangguan, An Xie, Xueli Xu, Yong Jiang, Martin F. Breed, and Xin Sun. The citation for this news report is: NewsRx. New Data from Chinese Academy of Sciences Illuminate Findings in Invasive Species (Urban organic manure application enhances antibiotic resistance gene diversity and potential human pathogen abundance in invasive giant African snails). Ecology, Environment & Conservation. September 19, 2025; p 385.

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