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The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted the environment due to changes in human activities, including the widespread use of disinfectants. While previous studies have shown that increased disinfectant use during the pandemic affected the antibiotic resistome in aquatic environments, its impact on soils remains largely unexplored. In this study, we analyzed 332 soil metagenomic samples collected across China before (2017–2019) and during (2020–2022) the pandemic to assess the effects on antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), mobile genetic elements (MGEs), and the soil bacterial community. Our results revealed a significant increase in the abundance of ARGs and MGEs in farmland soils during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the abundance of potentially pathogenic bacteria, such as Pseudomonas , Salmonella , and Vibrio , increased significantly during the pandemic. Partial least squares path modeling indicated that disinfectant use was a key factor associated with the spread of ARGs, primarily by enhancing MGE-mediated gene transfer. These findings suggest that shifts in human activity during the pandemic have contributed to the dissemination of soil ARGs and underscore the importance of managing microbial resistance within the One Health framework. • Significant increase in ARGs and MGEs abundance in soils during COVID-19 compared to before COVID-19 group. • Notable rise in potentially pathogenic bacteria, including Pseudomonas , Salmonella , and Vibrio , during the pandemic. • COVID-19 pandemic-related human activities significantly altered soil bacterial community composition.
Wu et al. (Mon,) studied this question.