Urban wastewater treatment plants as hotspots for antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes spread into the environment: a review. - Related Documents




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640701.0000Urban wastewater treatment plants as hotspots for antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes spread into the environment: a review. Urban wastewater treatment plants (UWTPs) are among the main sources of antibiotics' release into the environment. The occurrence of antibiotics may promote the selection of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB), which shade health risks to humans and animals. In this paper the fate of ARB and ARGs in UWTPs, focusing on different processes/technologies (i.e., biological processes, advanced treatment technologies and disinfection), was critically reviewed. The mechanisms by which biological processes influence the development/selection of ARB and ARGs transfer are still poorly understood. Advanced treatment technologies and disinfection process are regarded as a major tool to control the spread of ARB into the environment. In spite of intense efforts made over the last years to bring solutions to control antibiotic resistance spread in the environment, there are still important gaps to fill in. In particular, it is important to: (i) improve risk assessment studies in order to allow accurate estimates about the maximal abundance of ARB in UWTPs effluents that would not pose risks for human and environmental health; (ii) understand the factors and mechanisms that drive antibiotic resistance maintenance and selection in wastewater habitats. The final objective is to implement wastewater treatment technologies capable of assuring the production of UWTPs effluents with an acceptable level of ARB.201323396083
649510.9999A Review on Occurrence and Spread of Antibiotic Resistance in Wastewaters and in Wastewater Treatment Plants: Mechanisms and Perspectives. This paper reviews current knowledge on sources, spread and removal mechanisms of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in microbial communities of wastewaters, treatment plants and downstream recipients. Antibiotic is the most important tool to cure bacterial infections in humans and animals. The over- and misuse of antibiotics have played a major role in the development, spread, and prevalence of antibiotic resistance (AR) in the microbiomes of humans and animals, and microbial ecosystems worldwide. AR can be transferred and spread amongst bacteria via intra- and interspecies horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) receive wastewater containing an enormous variety of pollutants, including antibiotics, and chemicals from different sources. They contain large and diverse communities of microorganisms and provide a favorable environment for the spread and reproduction of AR. Existing WWTPs are not designed to remove micropollutants, antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and ARGs, which therefore remain present in the effluent. Studies have shown that raw and treated wastewaters carry a higher amount of ARB in comparison to surface water, and such reports have led to further studies on more advanced treatment processes. This review summarizes what is known about AR removal efficiencies of different wastewater treatment methods, and it shows the variations among different methods. Results vary, but the trend is that conventional activated sludge treatment, with aerobic and/or anaerobic reactors alone or in series, followed by advanced post treatment methods like UV, ozonation, and oxidation removes considerably more ARGs and ARB than activated sludge treatment alone. In addition to AR levels in treated wastewater, it examines AR levels in biosolids, settled by-product from wastewater treatment, and discusses AR removal efficiency of different biosolids treatment procedures. Finally, it puts forward key-points and suggestions for dealing with and preventing further increase of AR in WWTPs and other aquatic environments, together with a discussion on the use of mathematical models to quantify and simulate the spread of ARGs in WWTPs. Mathematical models already play a role in the analysis and development of WWTPs, but they do not consider AR and challenges remain before models can be used to reliably study the dynamics and reduction of AR in such systems.202134707579
640820.9999Antibiotic resistance in wastewater treatment plants: Tackling the black box. Wastewater is among the most important reservoirs of antibiotic resistance in urban environments. The abundance of carbon sources and other nutrients, a variety of possible electron acceptors such as oxygen or nitrate, the presence of particles onto which bacteria can adsorb, or a fairly stable pH and temperature are examples of conditions favouring the remarkable diversity of microorganisms in this peculiar habitat. The wastewater microbiome brings together bacteria of environmental, human and animal origins, many harbouring antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Although numerous factors contribute, mostly in a complex interplay, for shaping this microbiome, the effect of specific potential selective pressures such as antimicrobial residues or metals, is supposedly determinant to dictate the fate of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and ARGs during wastewater treatment. This paper aims to enrich the discussion on the ecology of ARB&ARGs in urban wastewater treatment plants (UWTPs), intending to serve as a guide for wastewater engineers or other professionals, who may be interested in studying or optimizing the wastewater treatment for the removal of ARB&ARGs. Fitting this aim, the paper overviews and discusses: i) aspects of the complexity of the wastewater system and/or treatment that may affect the fate of ARB&ARGs; ii) methods that can be used to explore the resistome, meaning the whole ARB&ARGs, in wastewater habitats; and iii) some frequently asked questions for which are proposed addressing modes. The paper aims at contributing to explore how ARB&ARGs behave in UWTPs having in mind that each plant is a unique system that will probably need a specific procedure to maximize ARB&ARGs removal.201829626693
649630.9999Strategies to Combat Antibiotic Resistance in the Wastewater Treatment Plants. The main goal of this manuscript is to review different treatment strategies and mechanisms for combating the antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) in the wastewater environment. The high amount of antibiotics is released into the wastewater that may promote selection of ARB and ARGs which find their way into natural environments. Emerging microbial pathogens and increasing antibiotic resistance among them is a global public health issue. The propagation and spread of ARB and ARGs in the environment may result in an increase of antibiotic resistant microbial pathogens which is a worldwide environmental and public health concern. A proper treatment of wastewater is essential before its discharge into rivers, lake, or sewage system to prevent the spread of ARB and ARGs into the environment. This review discusses various treatment options applied for combating the spread of ARB and ARGs in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). It was reported that low-energy anaerobic-aerobic treatment reactors, constructed wetlands, and disinfection processes have shown good removal efficiencies. Nanomaterials and biochar combined with other treatment methods and coagulation process are very recent strategies regarding ARB and ARGs removal and need more investigation and research. Based on current studies a wide-ranging removal efficiency of ARGs can be achieved depending on the type of genes present and treatment processes used, still, there are gaps that need to be further investigated. In order to find solutions to control dissemination of antibiotic resistance in the environment, it is important to (1) study innovative strategies in large scale and over a long time to reach an actual evaluation, (2) develop risk assessment studies to precisely understand occurrence and abundance of ARB/ARGs so that their potential risks to human health can be determined, and (3) consider operating and environmental factors that affect the efficiency of each treatment mechanism.201729387043
641540.9999Research progress on the origin, fate, impacts and harm of microplastics and antibiotic resistance genes in wastewater treatment plants. Previous studies reported microplastics (MPs), antibiotics, and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). There is still a lack of research progress on the origin, fate, impact and hazards of MPs and ARGs in WWTPs. This paper fills a gap in this regard. In our search, we used "microplastics", "antibiotic resistance genes", and "wastewater treatment plant" as topic terms in Web of Science, checking the returned results for relevance by examining paper titles and abstracts. This study mainly explores the following points: (1) the origins and fate of MPs, antibiotics and ARGs in WWTPs; (2) the mechanisms of action of MPs, antibiotics and ARGs in sludge biochemical pools; (3) the impacts of MPs in WWTPs and the spread of ARGs; (4) and the harm inflicted by MPs and ARGs on the environment and human body. Contaminants in sewage sludge such as MPs, ARGs, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria enter the soil and water. Contaminants can travel through the food chain and thus reach humans, leading to increased illness, hospitalization, and even mortality. This study will enhance our understanding of the mechanisms of action among MPs, antibiotics, ARGs, and the harm they inflict on the human body.202438678134
640150.9999Antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes in landfills: A review. Landfill are important reservoirs of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). They harbor diverse contaminants, such as heavy metals and persistent organic chemicals, complex microbial consortia, and anaerobic degradation processes, which facilitate the occurrence, development, and transfer of ARGs and antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB). The main concern is that antibiotics and developed ARGs and ARB may transfer to the local environment via leachate and landfill leakage. In this paper, we provide an overview of established studies on antibiotics and ARGs in landfills, summarize the origins and distribution of antibiotics and ARGs, discuss the linkages among various antibiotics, ARGs, and bacterial communities as well as the influencing factors of ARGs, and evaluate the current treatment processes of antibiotics and ARGs. Finally, future research is proposed to fill the current knowledge gaps, which include mechanisms for the development and transmission of antibiotic resistance, as well as efficient treatment approaches for antibiotic resistance.202234597560
649360.9999Antibiotic microbial resistance (AMR) removal efficiencies by conventional and advanced wastewater treatment processes: A review. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified the spread of antibiotic resistance as one of the major risks to global public health. An important transfer route into the aquatic environment is the urban water cycle. In this paper the occurrence and transport of antibiotic microbial resistance in the urban water cycle are critically reviewed. The presence of antibiotic resistance in low impacted surface water is being discussed to determine background antibiotic resistance levels, which might serve as a reference for treatment targets in the absence of health-based threshold levels. Different biological, physical and disinfection/oxidation processes employed in wastewater treatment and their efficacy regarding their removal of antibiotic resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance geness (ARGs) were evaluated. A more efficient removal of antibiotic microbial resistance abundances from wastewater effluents can be achieved by advanced treatment processes, including membrane filtration, ozonation, UV-irradiation or chlorination, to levels typically observed in urban surface water or low impacted surface water.201931195321
640270.9999Livestock and poultry breeding farms as a fixed and underestimated source of antibiotic resistance genes. The excessive use of antibiotics, disinfectants, and drugs in livestock and poultry breeding has resulted in a rise in the presence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and ARGs have been widely found in animal feces, farm wastewater, and farm air. ARGs can not only spread across media through adsorption and migration, but also transfer resistance across bacterial genera through horizontal gene transfer. Livestock breeding has become a fixed and unavoidable source of ARGs in the environment. Existing technologies for controlling ARGs, such as composting, disinfection, and sewage treatment, are not efficient in removing ARB and ARGs from waste. Furthermore, the remaining ARGs still possess a strong capacity for dissemination. At present, antibiotics used in animal husbandry are difficult to replace in a short period of time. The growth and potential risks of resistance genes in livestock and poultry breeding sources in the receiving environment are not yet clear. In this paper, we summarize the current situation of ARGs in the livestock and poultry breeding environment. We also explain the key environmental processes, main influencing factors, and corresponding ecological risks associated with ARGs in this environment. The advantages and disadvantages of current technologies for the removal of ARGs are primarily discussed. There is a particular emphasis on clarifying the spatiotemporal evolution patterns and environmental process mechanisms of ARGs, as well as highlighting the importance and urgency of developing efficient pollution control technologies.202439052112
641480.9999Microplastic biofilms in water treatment systems: Fate and risks of pathogenic bacteria, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and antibiotic resistance genes. Microplastics (MPs) biofilms in drinking water and wastewater treatment plants (DWTPs and WWTPs) have gained increasing attention due to their potential to come into close contact with humans. This review examines the fate of pathogenic bacteria, antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB), and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in MP biofilms and their impacts on operations in DWTPs and WWTPs, as well as the associated microbial risks for ecology and human health. The literature shows that pathogenic bacteria, ARBs, and ARGs with high resistance can persist on MP surfaces and may escape treatment plants, contaminating drinking and receiving water. Nine potential pathogens, ARB, and ARGs can be retained in DWTPs and sixteen in WWTPs. While MP biofilms can improve the removal of MPs themselves, as well as the associated heavy metals and antibiotic compounds, they can also induce biofouling, hinder the effectiveness of chlorination and ozonation, and cause the formation of disinfection by-products. Furthermore, the operation-resistant pathogenic bacteria, ARB, and ARGs on MPs may have adverse impacts on receiving ecosystems, as well as human health, including a range of human diseases, from skin infections to pneumonia and meningitis. Given the significant implications of MP biofilms for aquatic ecosystems and human health, further research is necessary on the disinfection resistance of microbial populations in MP biofilm. This study provides valuable insights into the comprehensive understanding of the changes of MP biofilms in water and wastewater treatment systems as well as their impacts on ecology and human health.202337268132
640090.9999Review of the Presence and Phage-Mediated Transfer of ARGs in Biofilms. The widespread use of antibiotics has led to the emergence of a large number of drug-resistant bacteria, accelerating the dissemination and spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment. Bacterial biofilms, serving as reservoirs of ARGs, pose potential risks to environmental health that should not be ignored. Studies on the presence and transfer of ARGs in biofilms have been conducted both domestically and internationally. This article summarises the research progress on ARGs in various environments and analyses the mechanisms and factors influencing the dissemination and transfer of ARGs in microplastics, activated sludge, and pipe wall biofilms, with a particular focus on phage-mediated ARG transfer. We also discuss current research gaps in this field to provide references for future biofilm management and health risk control of ARGs.202540431170
6399100.9998Research progress on distribution, migration, transformation of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in aquatic environment. Antimicrobial and antibiotics resistance caused by misuse or overuse of antibiotics exposure is a growing and significant threat to global public health. The spread and horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) by the selective pressure of antibiotics in an aquatic environment is a major public health issue. To develop a better understanding of potential ecological risks die to antibiotics and ARGs, this study mainly summarizes research progress about: (i) the occurrence, concentration, fate, and potential ecological effects of antibiotics and ARGs in various aquatic environments, (ii) the threat, spread, and horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of ARGs, and (iii) the relationship between antibiotics, ARGs, and ARB. Finally, this review also proposes future research direction on antibiotics and ARGs.201829807455
6411110.9998Are microplastics in aquaculture an undeniable driver in accelerating the spread of antibiotic resistance genes? Aquaculture products have been a key source of protein in the human food supply. Contamination by microplastics and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) directly affects food quality and safety. Plastic fishing gear and the long-term misuse of antibiotics result in the persistent residue, migration, and spread of microplastics and ARGs in the aquaculture environment, causing in ecological imbalance and endangering human security. Microplastics can act as "petri dishes" for the reproduction, communication, and spread of ARGs, which adds an additional layer of complexity to the global issues surrounding microplastics and ARGs. Aquaculture has become an important source of microplastics and ARGs in natural waters. Accordingly, this paper mainly discusses the contribution of aquaculture to the presence of microplastics and ARGs in aquatic ecosystems. Microplastics and ARGs can (1) affect the production and quality of aquatic products; (2) influence the development and reproduction of aquatic organisms; and (3) accelerate the spread of resistant bacteria. How to eliminate microplastics and ARGs and block their transmission has become a worldwide problem. Actually, further research is required to understand the scale and scope of these effects.202337840081
7430120.9998Sources of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria (ARB) and Antibiotic Resistance Genes (ARGs) in the Soil: A Review of the Spreading Mechanism and Human Health Risks. Soil is an essential part of our ecosystem and plays a crucial role as a nutrient source, provides habitat for plants and other organisms. Overuse of antibiotics has accelerated the development and dissemination of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). ARB and ARGs are recognized as emerging environmental contaminants causing soil pollution and serious risks to public health. ARB and ARGs are discharged into soils through several pathways. Application of manure in agriculture is one of the primary sources of ARB and ARGs dissemination in the soil. Different sources of contamination by ARB and ARGs were reviewed and analyzed as well as dissemination mechanisms in the soil. The effects of ARB and ARGs on soil bacterial community were evaluated. Furthermore, the impact of different sources of manure on soil microbial diversity as well as the effect of antibiotics on the development of ARB and ARGs in soils was analyzed. Human health risk assessments associated with the spreading of ARB and ARGs in soils were investigated. Finally, recommendations and mitigation strategies were proposed.202133948742
6499130.9998From Conventional Disinfection to Antibiotic Resistance Control-Status of the Use of Chlorine and UV Irradiation during Wastewater Treatment. Extensive use of antibiotics for humans and livestock has led to an enhanced level of antibiotic resistance in the environment. Municipal wastewater treatment plants are regarded as one of the main sources of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the aquatic environment. A significant amount of research has been carried out to understand the microbiological quality of wastewater with respect to its antibiotic resistance potential over the past several years. UV disinfection has primarily been used to achieve disinfection, including damaging DNA, but there has been an increasing use of chlorine and H(2)O(2)-based AOPs for targeting genes, including ARGs, considering the higher energy demands related to the greater UV fluences needed to achieve efficient DNA damage. This review focuses on some of the most investigated processes, including UV photolysis and chlorine in both individual and combined approaches and UV advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) using H(2)O(2). Since these approaches have practical disinfection and wastewater treatment applications globally, the processes are reviewed from the perspective of extending their scope to DNA damage/ARG inactivation in full-scale wastewater treatment. The fate of ARGs during existing wastewater treatment processes and how it changes with existing treatment processes is reviewed with a view to highlighting the research needs in relation to selected processes for addressing future disinfection challenges.202235162659
7431140.9998Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in Municipal Wastes: Is There Reason for Concern? Recently, there has been increased concern about the presence of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistant genes (ARG), in treated domestic wastewaters, animal manures and municipal biosolids. The concern is whether these additional sources of ARB contribute to antibiotic resistance levels in the environment, that is, "environmental antibiotic resistance." ARB and ARG occur naturally in soil and water, and it remains unclear whether the introduction of ARB in liquid and solid municipal and animal wastes via land application have any significant impact on the background levels of antibiotic resistance in the environment, and whether they affect human exposure to ARB. In this current review, we examine and re-evaluate the incidence of ARB and ARG resulting from land application activities, and offer a new perspective on the threat of antibiotic resistance to public health via exposure from nonclinical environmental sources. Based on inputs of ARBs and ARGs from land application, their fate in soil due to soil microbial ecology principles, and background indigenous levels of ARBs and ARGs already present in soil, we conclude that while antibiotic resistance levels in soil are increased temporally by land application of wastes, their persistence is not guaranteed and is in fact variable, and often contradictory based on application site. Furthermore, the application of wastes may not produce the most direct impact of ARGs and ARB on public health. Further investigation is still warranted in agriculture and public health, including continued scrutiny of antibiotic use in both sectors.201829505255
6471150.9998Antibiotic resistance in wastewater treatment plants: understanding the problem and future perspectives. Antibiotics residues (AR), antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) are a new class of water contaminants, due to their adverse effects on aquatic ecosystems and human health. Contamination of water bodies occurs mainly by the excretion of antibiotics incompletely metabolized by humans and animals and is considered the main source of contamination of antibiotics in the environment. Given the imminent threat, the World Health Organization (WHO) has categorized the spread of antibiotics as one of the top three threats to public health in the twenty-first century. The Urban Wastewater Treatment Plants (UWWTP) bring together AR, ARB, ARG, making the understanding of this peculiar environment fundamental for the investigation of technologies aimed at combating the spread of bacterial resistance. Several methodologies have been employed focusing on reducing the ARB and ARG loads of the effluents, however the reactivation of these microorganisms after the treatment is widely reported. This work aims to elucidate the role of UWWTPs in the spread of bacterial resistance, as well as to report the efforts that have been made so far and future perspectives to combat this important global problem.202133112995
7426160.9998Detection and fate of antibiotic resistant bacteria in wastewater treatment plants: a review. Antibiotics are among the most successful group of pharmaceuticals used for human and veterinary therapy. However, large amounts of antibiotics are released into municipal wastewater due to incomplete metabolism in humans or due to disposal of unused antibiotics, which finally find their ways into different natural environmental compartments. The emergence and rapid spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) has led to an increasing concern about the potential environmental and public health risks. ARB and antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) have been detected extensively in wastewater samples. Available data show significantly higher proportion of antibiotic resistant bacteria contained in raw and treated wastewater relative to surface water. According to these studies, the conditions in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are favourable for the proliferation of ARB. Moreover, another concern with regards to the presence of ARB and ARGs is their effective removal from sewage. This review gives an overview of the available data on the occurrence of ARB and ARGs and their fate in WWTPs, on the biological methods dealing with the detection of bacterial populations and their resistance genes, and highlights areas in need for further research studies.201323414720
6412170.9998Microplastics and Antibiotic Resistance: The Magnitude of the Problem and the Emerging Role of Hospital Wastewater. The role of microplastics (MPs) in the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) is increasingly attracting global research attention due to their unique ecological and environmental effects. The ubiquitous use of plastics and their release into the environment by anthropic/industrial activities are the main sources for MP contamination, especially of water bodies. Because of their physical and chemical characteristics, MPs represent an ideal substrate for microbial colonization and formation of biofilm, where horizontal gene transfer is facilitated. In addition, the widespread and often injudicious use of antibiotics in various human activities leads to their release into the environment, mainly through wastewater. For these reasons, wastewater treatment plants, in particular hospital plants, are considered hotspots for the selection of ARGs and their diffusion in the environment. As a result, the interaction of MPs with drug-resistant bacteria and ARGs make them vectors for the transport and spread of ARGs and harmful microorganisms. Microplastic-associated antimicrobial resistance is an emerging threat to the environment and consequently for human health. More studies are required to better understand the interaction of these pollutants with the environment as well as to identify effective management systems to reduce the related risk.202337239594
6409180.9998Bacterial perspectives on the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes in domestic wastewater bio-treatment systems: beneficiary to victim. Domestic wastes, ranging from sewage and sludge to municipal solid waste, are usually treated in bioprocessing systems. These systems are regarded as main conduits for the elevated levels of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) observed in the environment. This paper mainly reviews recent studies on the occurrence and dynamics of ARGs in wastewater bio-treatment systems and discusses the ins and outs of ARG dissemination from the perspective of the microbial community. Our analysis shows that concentration of antibiotics through adsorption to microbial aggregates triggers the bacteria to acquire ARGs, which can be facilitated by the presence of mobile genetic elements. Notably, the acquisition and flow of ARGs during the rapid dissemination process is directed towards and for the best interests of the microbial community as a whole, and is influenced by surrounding nutrient levels, toxicant types, and sensitivities of the species in the prevailing antibiotic-stressed conditions. Furthermore, our review argues that predation of ARG-carrying bacteria by bacteriophages does periodically enhance the accessibility of ARGs to bacteria, which indirectly facilitates the recruitment of ARGs into environmental microbial communities.201829198067
6413190.9998Interactions of microplastics and antibiotic resistance genes and their effects on the aquaculture environments. Microplastics (MPs) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) have become the increasing attention and global research hotpots due to their unique ecological and environmental effects. As susceptible locations for MPs and ARGs, aquaculture environments play an important role in their enrichment and transformation. In this review, we focused on the MPs, ARGs, and the effects of their interactions on the aquaculture environments. The facts that antibiotics have been widely applied in different kinds of agricultural productions (e.g., aquaculture) and that most of antibiotics enter the water environment with rainfall and residual in the aquaculture environment have been resulting in the emergence of antibiotic resistance bacteria (ARB). Moreover, the water MPs are effective carriers of the environmental microbes and ARB, making them likely to be continuously imported into the aquaculture environments. As a result, the formation of the compound pollutions may also enter the aquatic organisms through the food chains and eventually enter the human body after a long-term enrichment. Furthermore, the compound pollutions result in the joint toxic effects on the human health and the ecological environment. In summary, this review aims to emphasize the ecological effects and the potential hazards on the aquaculture environments where interactions between MPs and ARGs results, and calls for to reduce the use of the plastic products and the antibiotics in the aquaculture environments.202133265004