Effect of large-scale population-based dietary change to vegetarianism on antimicrobial resistance and bacterial composition of sewage in Thailand
3
Issued Date
2025-08-01
Resource Type
ISSN
15671348
eISSN
15677257
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105005576043
Journal Title
Infection, Genetics and Evolution
Volume
132
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Infection, Genetics and Evolution Vol.132 (2025)
Suggested Citation
Leekitcharoenphon P., Bortolaia V., Tornblom V.K.W., Siriphap A., Suthienkul O., Borthong J., Chonsin K., Møller F.D., Avot B., Otani S., Aarestrup F.M. Effect of large-scale population-based dietary change to vegetarianism on antimicrobial resistance and bacterial composition of sewage in Thailand. Infection, Genetics and Evolution Vol.132 (2025). doi:10.1016/j.meegid.2025.105765 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/110391
Title
Effect of large-scale population-based dietary change to vegetarianism on antimicrobial resistance and bacterial composition of sewage in Thailand
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is on one of the global priority challenges. This study explored the impact of diet alteration on AMR bacteria through metagenomic analysis during the annual vegetarian festival in Thailand in October 2019. The study investigated the effects of a 10-day shift from a regular to a vegetarian diet by collecting urban sewage from Nakhon Sawan, Surat Thani, and Bangkok before, during, and after the festival. Additionally, faecal samples from individuals in the northern city were analyzed. Using shotgun metagenomic sequencing, the samples were mapped against bacterial, AMR genes, and carbohydrate-active enzymes databases. The results revealed significant changes in AMR gene abundance and increased carbohydrate metabolism genes in sewage samples from all three cities during the festival. There was also a notable shift in the composition and diversity of bacterial species, particularly in the northern city. The total abundance of AMR genes increased during the vegetarian festival across all locations. This study highlights the correlation between a population's vegetarian diet and increased AMR in Thailand. It also demonstrates that metagenomic analysis of sewage can effectively assess the impact of dietary changes on bacterial communities and AMR at a population level, providing valuable insights for public health strategies.