Currently antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to human and animal health. Its spread has been increasing around the world since the mid-20th century; thus, prevention and understanding of the causes are needed. The issue of antibiotic resistance is often attributed to the healthcare sector, yet numerous other sectors, such as the environment and the agri-food sector, also contribute to the spread of resistant bacteria. The presence of pharmaceutical residues and bacterial contaminants in sewage, landfills, food raw materials, and food industries promotes the selection and proliferation of resistant bacteria, including pathogenic strains that pose a threat to human and animal health. Water quality must be kept under control because microorganisms resistant to antibiotics can find suitable conditions to live, multiply, and be transported. This review focuses on recent findings on the role of water as a transmission route for antibiotic resistance across the livestock, agri-food, and aquaculture sectors. We mapped the full pathway of resistant bacteria, from environmental and raw food sources to the end consumer, and outlined future strategies for monitoring and control of antibiotic resistance.
