Antibiotic resistance genes(ARGs) and pathogens pose a global health challenge, particularly for vulnerable children. However, limited knowledge is on their existence in home environments where children spend majority of time, even less on urban-rural differences. We collected settled dust from children's homes in urban(n = 31) and rural (n = 34) areas of Shanghai, China, and analyzed microbiomes, ARGs and pathogens through metagenomic sequencing. Home dust microbial compositions differed significantly between urban and rural environment. ARGs were widely detected in home environment (rural:758 subtypes; urban:733). Significant urban-rural differences were also observed in ARGs and pathogens composition, diversity, co-occurrence patterns, assembly processes and drivers. Specifically, rural dust was enriched with more differentially abundant ARG subtypes. Urban dust was enriched with clinically critical multidrug-resistant pathogens (e.g. Acinetobacter baumannii), contrasting with rural areas enriched in plant-associated pathogens. Stochastic processes dominated the assembly of ARGs and pathogens, while environmental factors partially explained their variations. Temperature was positively associated with total ARG abundance in both areas. Residential greenness had a positive relationship with ARG abundance in rural but negative in urban settings. Our findings indicated children's homes as reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance, urging vigilance against rural ARG enrichment and urban multidrug-resistant pathogen risks for pediatric health.
Keywords: Antibiotic resistance genes; Children health; Home environments; Pathogens; Urban-rural difference.
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