Metals are overlooked in the evolution of antibiotic resistance

The rapid development of antibiotic resistance is occurring at a global scale. Wetherefore stride into the post-antibiotic era and have to battle antibiotic resistancein the Anthropocene. Metals are widely used and their pollution is widespreadworldwide. More importantly, metal-induced co-selection greatly expands theenvironmental resistomes and increases the health risk of antibiotic resistancein environments. Here, we reviewed the metal-induced co-selection and theirincreasingly important roles in the development of antibiotic resistance. Inparticular, we highlight the metal-rich environments that maintain reservoirs forhigh-risk antibiotic resistance genes with horizontally transferable potentials. Wealso call for considerations and further investigations of other co-selectiveagents and the efficacy of metal-based interventions to better manage andcombat the global antibiotic resistance crisis within the One Health framework.