A Review of the Role of Climate Change on the Expression of Genes Associated with Antimicrobial Resistance in Bacteria in Common Respiratory Infections

Sheikhpour, Mojgan; Sakhi, Hanie; Rahimi, Erfan

doi:10.22038/mjms.2026.90759.5099

A Review of the Role of Climate Change on the Expression of Genes Associated with Antimicrobial Resistance in Bacteria in Common Respiratory Infections

Document Type : Review article

Authors

Mojgan Sheikhpour ¹

Hanie Sakhi ²

Erfan Rahimi ²

¹ Department of Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran,

² Department of Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran

10.22038/mjms.2026.90759.5099

Abstract

Background and Objective: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and climate change (CC) are two important global and interconnected crises. AMR is transmitted through mutation or horizontal gene transfer from one organism to another, and CC increases AMR by changing the genetic patterns of microbial infections. This study aimed to investigate the effects of CC on AMR in bacteria associated with respiratory infections and the genes that confer resistance in these bacteria. Methods: In this study, 85 relevant articles from PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Since Direct databases from 2010 to 2025 were reviewed. Each section examined the effect of CC on each bacterium and the genes that confer resistance in them. Findings: Climate change, including increasing temperatures, has affected lung infectious diseases, especially Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. It also transfers plasmids and resistance genes between organisms, changing the expression of resistance-related genes and creating new mutations. Conclusion: The impact of CC on AMR has been proven in all studies and these two are being exacerbated by human activities, there is a need to take necessary measures and develop targeted preventive measures.

Keywords

antimicrobial resistance

climate change

resistance gene

respiratory infection

Subjects