Parachuting in antimicrobial resistance: airborne dispersal of antimicrobial resistance on the seeds of the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

Dandelion anthodium (n=100) containing parachutes/seeds were collected from environmental locations and the number of bacteria enumerated, the bacterial flora identified and the total antimicrobial resistance (intrinsic + acquired) characterised. Mean microbiological counts per dandelion head were 3.72 × 10 exp 6. Certain bacteria present at each location were totally resistant to several β-lactam antibiotics, including the penicillins and cephalosporins. Carbapenem resistance was also noted. The study identified antibiotic-resistant bacteria, particularly with the β-lactams and is significant as it highlights a new route of airborne AMR dispersal in the environment, which may spread/introduce such bacteria into new environments and to susceptible human and plant hosts.