Earthworms could help reduce antibiotic resistance genes in soil

(American Chemical Society) Earthworms improve the soil by aerating it, breaking down organic matter and mineralizing nutrients. Now, researchers reporting in ACS'Environmental Science& Technology have dug up another possible role: reducing the number and relative abundance of antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) in soils from diverse ecosystems. These results imply that earthworms could be a natural, sustainable solution to addressing the global issue of antibiotic resistance, the researchers say.
Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news