Farm dust metagenomes in European poultry and pig farms

Luiken REC, Van Gompel L, Bossers A, Munk P, Joosten P, Hansen RB, Knudsen BE, Garcia-Cobos S, Dewulf J, Aarestrup FM, Wagenaar JA, Smit LAM, Mevius DJ, Heederik DJJ, Schmitt H; EFFORT-group. : : : : : [ Highlights ] -- An analysis of farm dust from 79 pig and poultry farms using metagenomics. -- Farm dust resistomes are compared to animal fecal and farmers stool resistomes. -- Farm dust bacterial microbiomes have an abundant and rich resistome. -- Animal fecal resistomes are an important, but not the only, source of farm dust ARGs. -- Antimicrobial usage in the animals is positively associated with dust resistome abundance. :: [ Objectives ] We describe the resistome and bacterial microbiome of pig and poultry farm dust and their relation with animal feces resistomes and bacterial microbiomes, and on-farm antimicrobial usage (AMU). In addition, the relation between dust and farmers stool resistomes was explored. [ Conclusion ] Poultry and pig farm dust resistomes are rich and abundant and associated with the fecal resistome of the animals and the dust bacterial microbiome.