Characterisation of microbial community composition and function in Namib Desert soils

Using shotgun metagenomics we analysed soils from relatively low anthropogenic impact sites across the Namib Desert. Antibiotic resistance genes were detected in low abundance. We report the presence of a clinically significant extended spectrum beta-lactamase (TEM-116), on a ColE1-type plasmid in 4 of the sample sites . These findings highlight the role of the environment in the One Health initiative.