A research team from the Faculty of Engineering at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has harnessed citywide genetic data and developed a novel genome-resolved tracking method to uncover precisely how antibiotic-resistant bacteria and their resistance genes move across Hong Kong’s environment, offering vital insights into strategies for safeguarding public health.
Cross-sectoral dissemination and genomic context of high-risk ARGs.
Led by Professor Tong Zhang from HKU’s Department of Civil Engineering, the researchers focused on Escherichia coli (E. coli), a common bacteria that can develop resistance to antibiotics, in Hong Kong’s urban waters, such as rivers and sewage. They tracked both bacterial strains and the small pieces of DNA, called plasmids, that carry resistance genes. This helped them understand how resistance can move between humans, animals, and the environment.
Using a special advanced DNA sequencing technology called Nanopore long-read sequencing, the team analysed 1,016 samples of E. coli collected over a year. These samples represented different types of E. coli isolates, resistance genes, and circular plasmids, allowing researchers to conduct city-wide, high-resolution comparisons.
Analyses showed that many E. coli isolates from different sources are genetically similar, and there were 142 cases where identical E. coli strains were found both in humans and environmental waters. They also identified 195 plasmids present in all three sectors: human, animal, and environment. This suggests that resistance genes can spread via mobile DNA. Laboratory experiments confirmed that some of these plasmids can transfer between bacteria, providing functional evidence of cross-sector bacterial mobility.
Regional and global dissemination of resistance plasmids.
This research translates complex genetic data into practical tools by creating a novel quantitative framework to study and measure how different environments are connected in terms of bacteria and resistance genes. In simple terms, urban waters act as meeting points where bacteria and their resistance genes can mix and spread between human, animal, and the environment.
Dr Xiaoqing Xu, the first author of the study, said, “Antimicrobial resistance is not only about where genes are found but also how they move between connected environments. By quantifying ecological connectivity across human, animal, and environmental waters, this study helps explain pathways of resistance dissemination and informs more integrated surveillance and intervention strategies.”
Why is this important for public health? When environments are interconnected, resistance can spread more quickly between humans and the environment. The findings support the development of integrated monitoring systems that combine data from wastewater, the environment, and clinical cases. This can help decision-makers detect early warning signals and prioritise high-risk plasmids and strains for intervention. Additionally, this approach can be adapted for other cities, helping them build a standardised, genome-resolved surveillance framework within the One Health framework, to better assess and manage antibiotic resistance risks.
Overview of sampling design, isolate diversity, and genomic reconstruction of urban E. coli isolates.
This research is part of Professor Zhang’s project, supported by the University Grants Committee’s Theme-based Research Scheme (TRS), aimed at supporting academic research efforts of UGC-funded universities on themes of strategic importance.
The study was published in the internationally renowned journal Nature Communications with the title “Ecological connectivity of genomic markers of antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli in Hong Kong”.
Link to paper: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62455-w
All 12th NGD and 9th NSOG competition events in Hong Kong conclude
The National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) (NGCO) today (December 14) announced that the three competition events of the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities (NGD) and the 9th National Special Olympic Games (NSOG) in Hong Kong, namely boccia, wheelchair fencing and para table tennis (TT11), concluded on the last day of competition. Together with the NSOG table tennis competition which concluded on December 9, all competition events in the Hong Kong competition region have been completed smoothly.
The boccia event was held at Kai Tak Arena, with a total of 14 gold medals awarded. Around 100 athletes from 13 teams from the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao took part. Among them, Hong Kong sent 11 male athletes and eight female athletes, and won four gold, four silver and four bronze medals, totalling 12 medals.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy wheelchair fencing competition was held at Ma On Shan Sports Centre, with a sum of 24 gold medals presented. Over 80 athletes from 10 teams from the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao participated in the competition. Hong Kong fielded seven male athletes and six female athletes, claiming one silver and two bronze medals, amounting to three medals altogether.
As for the Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy para table tennis (TT11) competition held at Tsuen Wan Sports Centre, a total of five gold medals were awarded. 36 athletes from 13 teams from the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao competed in the event, including seven male athletes and five female athletes from Hong Kong. The Hong Kong team achieved one silver and five bronze medals, adding up to six medals in total.
The Special Olympics table tennis competition was also held at Tsuen Wan Sports Centre earlier, with a total of 78 gold medals awarded. Over 150 athletes from 29 teams from the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao joined the competition. Six male athletes and five female athletes from Hong Kong won nine gold, six silver and four bronze medals, totalling 19 medals.
Across various events of the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG this year, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region fielded over 280 athletes supported by about 140 accompanying team officials and medical personnel taking part in 14 competition events and four mass participation events of the NGD, as well as seven events of the NSOG, forming the largest delegation ever. The Hong Kong team won a total of 51 gold, 49 silver and 40 bronze medals, totalling 140 medals, achieving historic results.
A spokesperson for the NGCO said that the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG, co-hosted for the first time by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, brought together outstanding athletes from across the country. They demonstrated indomitable sportsmanship and remarkable athletic prowess in the competitions.While extending congratulations to all medallists, the spokesperson also expressed gratitude to various relevant government departments, sports organisations and related institutions for their full support and assistance in staging the events, and the public and volunteers for their enthusiastic support, which enabled the smooth running of all events in the Hong Kong competition region and the successful conclusion of the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG.
All 12th NGD and 9th NSOG competition events in Hong Kong conclude Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
All 12th NGD and 9th NSOG competition events in Hong Kong conclude Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
All 12th NGD and 9th NSOG competition events in Hong Kong conclude Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
All 12th NGD and 9th NSOG competition events in Hong Kong conclude Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
All 12th NGD and 9th NSOG competition events in Hong Kong conclude Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
All 12th NGD and 9th NSOG competition events in Hong Kong conclude Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
All 12th NGD and 9th NSOG competition events in Hong Kong conclude Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
All 12th NGD and 9th NSOG competition events in Hong Kong conclude Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
All 12th NGD and 9th NSOG competition events in Hong Kong conclude Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
All 12th NGD and 9th NSOG competition events in Hong Kong conclude Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
All 12th NGD and 9th NSOG competition events in Hong Kong conclude Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
All 12th NGD and 9th NSOG competition events in Hong Kong conclude Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
