Study: Antibiotic-resistant bacteria from American cattle have become airborne

A new study to be published in next month's issue of the journal Environmental Health Perspectives found that DNA from antibiotic-resistant bacteria in Texan cattle have become airborne. The DNA could then spread to humans and make the treatment of infections more difficult.

The study authors, who are environmental toxicology researchers at Texas Tech University, believe the bacteria may be capable of staying airborne for long periods of time and traveling significant distances, Time reports.

The researchers studied airborne particulate matter from 10 cattle feedlots in Texas over a six-month period. They found that the air downwind of the yards contained significant amounts of microbial communities with antibiotic-resistant genes. The scientists believe the genes become airborne after cow excretions become dust and are transported through the air.

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"This is the first test to open our eyes to the fact that we could be breathing these things," study author Phil Smith told The Texas Tribune. Humans can already come into contact with antibiotic-resistant DNA through water or meat, but the findings suggest that feedlots may be bringing another DNA transfer risk into the picture.