Wildlife and environment

The wildlife and environmental reservoirs of resistance remain poorly understood, even though the origins and mechanisms are of importance in a “One health” perspective.

rødrev - foto Inger Sofie Hamnes Veterinærinstituttet
Photo: Inger Sofie Hamnes

The use of antibiotics and other drivers for AMR development in humans, livestock or agriculture may have a direct impact on resistance development in the wildlife microbiota. Furthermore, cross-contamination between society, productions animals and wildlife may contribute to enhanced spread of AMR. We have conducted several studies on Norwegian wildlife to monitor AMR, to understand the potential for wildlife to work as sentinels/bio indicators for AMR spread, and to help explain the dynamics and driver for resistance in the environment. The wildlife studied includes mammals, eg. fox, deer and mice, as well as nematodes and plants.