Climate change and antibiotic resistance: A scoping review

Abstract

This scoping review aimed to investigate the potential association between climate change and the rise of antibiotic resistance while also exploring the elements of climate change that may be involved. A scoping review was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews, comprehensively searching scientific literature up to 31 January 2024. Multiple databases were utilized, including MEDLINE, Web of Science and SCOPUS. Various search strategies were employed, and selection criteria were established to include articles relevant to antibiotic resistance and climate change. The review included 30 selected articles published predominantly after 2019. Findings from these studies collectively suggest that rising temperatures associated with climate change can contribute to the proliferation of antibiotic resistance, affecting diverse ecosystems. This phenomenon is observed in soil, glaciers, rivers and clinical settings. Rising temperatures are associated with a rise in the prevalence of antibiotic resistance across various environments, raising concerns for global health. However, these studies provide valuable insights but do not establish a definitive causal link between environmental temperature and antibiotic resistance. The selective pressure exerted by antibiotics and their residues in ecosystems further complicates the issue.