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Background <p>Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is increasingly recognized as an environmental and One Health problem driven by interconnected ecological, infrastructural, and anthropogenic processes. However, hyper-arid ecosystems remain underrepresented in most AMR research globally, despite rapid urbanization, widespread use of reclaimed water, and large-scale seawater desalination in the Arabian Gulf. This review examines the roles of ecological reservoirs and engineered water systems in the emergence and spread of AMR within hyper-arid Gulf ecosystems.</p> Methods <p>Studies published from 2005 to 2025 in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar were reviewed using a structured narrative process. The search terms encompassed concepts related to antimicrobial resistance, resistomes, dryland ecosystem(s), wastewater reuse and desalination, aerosols, livestock, wildlife, and One Health in the Arabian Gulf. Eligible studies included environmental surveillance studies, metagenomic analyses, and reports on AMR reservoirs or transmission routes relevant to arid environments.</p> Results <p>Evidence suggests that hyper-arid Gulf environments harbor interconnected AMR reservoirs in desert soils, wastewater treatment plants, reclaimed irrigation systems, wildlife-livestock interfaces, atmospheric dust, and coastal waters. Engineered water infrastructure, especially wastewater reuse and desalination, is a focal point for multispecies microbial interactions and horizontal gene transfer. Climatic stressors such as extreme aridity, high salinity, and dust storms, further promote the persistence and dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and resistant microorganisms.</p> Conclusion <p>AMR transmission in hyper-arid Gulf ecosystems is driven by the interplay between climatic stress, engineered water infrastructure and human–animal–environment interfaces. We propose a Gulf-specific One Health Transmission framework to guide environmental surveillance and mitigation efforts. Monitoring of soils, wastewater reuse systems, aerosols, wildlife, and coastal ecosystems should be strengthened and integrated into regional AMR control strategies.</p>

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Ecological reservoirs and engineered water systems driving antimicrobial resistance in hyper-arid gulf ecosystems: a One Health narrative review

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月16日

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  • Shuaibu Abdullahi Hudu,
  • Emad A. Morad,
  • Mohamed Soliman,
  • Ghusun M. Alhazimi,
  • Abdulgafar Olayiwola Jimoh

摘要

Background

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is increasingly recognized as an environmental and One Health problem driven by interconnected ecological, infrastructural, and anthropogenic processes. However, hyper-arid ecosystems remain underrepresented in most AMR research globally, despite rapid urbanization, widespread use of reclaimed water, and large-scale seawater desalination in the Arabian Gulf. This review examines the roles of ecological reservoirs and engineered water systems in the emergence and spread of AMR within hyper-arid Gulf ecosystems.

Methods

Studies published from 2005 to 2025 in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar were reviewed using a structured narrative process. The search terms encompassed concepts related to antimicrobial resistance, resistomes, dryland ecosystem(s), wastewater reuse and desalination, aerosols, livestock, wildlife, and One Health in the Arabian Gulf. Eligible studies included environmental surveillance studies, metagenomic analyses, and reports on AMR reservoirs or transmission routes relevant to arid environments.

Results

Evidence suggests that hyper-arid Gulf environments harbor interconnected AMR reservoirs in desert soils, wastewater treatment plants, reclaimed irrigation systems, wildlife-livestock interfaces, atmospheric dust, and coastal waters. Engineered water infrastructure, especially wastewater reuse and desalination, is a focal point for multispecies microbial interactions and horizontal gene transfer. Climatic stressors such as extreme aridity, high salinity, and dust storms, further promote the persistence and dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and resistant microorganisms.

Conclusion

AMR transmission in hyper-arid Gulf ecosystems is driven by the interplay between climatic stress, engineered water infrastructure and human–animal–environment interfaces. We propose a Gulf-specific One Health Transmission framework to guide environmental surveillance and mitigation efforts. Monitoring of soils, wastewater reuse systems, aerosols, wildlife, and coastal ecosystems should be strengthened and integrated into regional AMR control strategies.