Diet-driven diversity of antibiotic resistance genes in wild bats: implications for public health. - Related Documents




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679801.0000Diet-driven diversity of antibiotic resistance genes in wild bats: implications for public health. Wild bats may serve as reservoirs for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, potentially contributing to antibiotic resistance and pathogen transmission. However, current assessments of bats' antibiotic resistance potential are limited to culture-dependent bacterial snapshots. In this study, we present metagenomic evidence supporting a strong association between diet, gut microbiota, and the resistome, highlighting bats as significant vectors for ARG propagation. We characterized gut microbiota, ARGs, and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) in bats with five distinct diets: frugivory, insectivory, piscivory, carnivory, and sanguivory. Our analysis revealed high levels of ARGs in bat guts, with limited potential for horizontal transfer, encompassing 1106 ARGs conferring resistance to 26 antibiotics. Multidrug-resistant and polymyxin-resistant genes were particularly prevalent among identified ARG types. The abundance and diversity of ARGs/MGEs varied significantly among bats with different dietary habits, possibly due to diet-related differences in microbial composition. Additionally, genetic linkage between high-risk ARGs and multiple MGEs was observed on the genomes of various zoonotic pathogens, indicating a potential threat to human health from wild bats. Overall, our study provides a comprehensive analysis of the resistome in wild bats and underscores the role of dietary habits in wildlife-associated public health risks.202539892320
316910.9996Plastispheres as reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance: Insights from metagenomic analyses across aquatic environments. Evidence suggests that plastic particles from various environments can accumulate harmful microorganisms and carry bacteria with antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). The so-called "plastisphere" might facilitate the spread of pathogens and antimicrobial resistance across environments, posing risks to human and animal health. This study aimed to analyze the diversity and abundance of ARGs found in plastispheres from various aquatic environments, identify clinically relevant pathogenic species, and ascertain bacterial hosts carrying ARGs. We present data from 36 metagenomes collected from plastispheres in different environments (freshwater, raw wastewater, and treated wastewater). The diversity and abundance of ARGs in the resistome of the plastispheres were analyzed through metagenomic methods. A total of 537 high-quality metagenomic-assembled genomes (MAGs) were constructed to identify clinically relevant pathogens and to link the detected ARGs to their bacterial hosts. The results show that the environment has the greatest influence on the abundance and diversity of ARGs in the plastispheres resistome, with the wastewater plastisphere containing a resistome with the highest diversity of ARGs. Resistance to beta-lactams, aminoglycosides, and tetracyclines were the most abundant resistance mechanisms detected in the different plastispheres. The construction of MAGs identified potential pathogens and environmental bacteria that confer resistance to one or several drug classes, with beta-lactams being the most pervasive form of AMR detected. This work enhances our understanding of the plastisphere's role in antimicrobial resistance dissemination and its ecological and public health risks.202540901934
326420.9996Comprehensive genome catalog analysis of the resistome, virulome and mobilome in the wild rodent gut microbiota. Wild rodent's gut microbiota serves as a crucial reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), where antimicrobial-resistant bacteria interact with mobile genetic elements (MGEs) to facilitate horizontal gene transfer. This study analyzed 12,255 gut-derived bacterial genomes from wild rodents to characterize the distribution of ARGs and virulence factor genes (VFGs), and to identify their bacterial hosts. A total of 8119 ARGs and 7626 VFGs were identified. The most prevalent ARGs conferred resistance to elfamycin, followed by those associated with multi-class antibiotic resistance. Enterobacteriaceae, particularly Escherichia coli, harbored the highest numbers of ARGs and VFGs. A strong correlation between the presence of MGEs, ARGs, and VFGs was observed, highlighting the potential for co-selection and mobilization of resistance and virulence traits. These findings underscore the importance of expanded surveillance to monitor and mitigate the risk of transmission of resistant and potentially pathogenic bacteria from wild rodents to human and animal populations.202540500303
326630.9995Abundance and transmission of antibiotic resistance and virulence genes through mobile genetic elements in integrated chicken and fish farming system. Integrated chicken and fish farming systems, common in Bangladesh, present significant public health risks due to the spread of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence factors (VFGs) through mobile genetic elements (MGEs). This study employs metagenomic sequencing to explore the diversity and abundance of ARGs, VFGs, and MGEs in various environmental samples from these farming systems. A total of 384 ARGs were detected, with tetracycline resistance genes such as tetM and tetX being the most abundant, alongside macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin and aminoglycoside resistance genes. Droppings harbored the highest proportion of ARGs (62.2%), whereas sediment served as a reservoir for multi-metal resistance genes. Virulence factors associated with immune modulation, such as pvdL and tssH, and biofilm formation genes like algC were particularly prevalent in sediment and droppings. Among MGEs, plasmids and transposons like Tn6072 and Tn4001 were the most abundant, playing a critical role in horizontal gene transfer. Bacterial genera including Bacteroides, Clostridium, and Escherichia were strongly associated with MGEs, indicating their role in the dissemination of resistance and virulence traits. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences in the abundance of ARGs, VFGs, and MGEs across sample types, with sediment and droppings identified as hotspots for gene exchange. These findings underscore the urgent need for improved antibiotic stewardship and waste management practices to limit the spread of antimicrobial resistance and pathogenic bacteria within integrated farming environments.202540595289
317340.9995Antibiotic-resistant bacteria in marine productive zones of the eastern Arabian Sea: Implications for human and environmental health. The increasing threat of antibiotic resistance is a major global concern affecting human and environmental health. Marine environments, though underexplored, are emerging as significant reservoirs for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). This study provides genome-resolved shotgun metagenomic insights into the seasonal and spatial dynamics of ARGs in the chlorophyll maximum zones of the eastern Arabian Sea, focusing on bacterial communities from coastal (30 m) and offshore (600 m) depths. Using a shotgun metagenomic approach, 31 potential ARGs were identified across both non-monsoon and monsoon seasons, with higher abundance observed in offshore stations during the non-monsoon season. Multidrug resistance genes such as blaEFM-1, catB2 and mexK, conferring resistance to carbapenems, chloramphenicol and multiple antibiotics, were prevalent in taxa like Staphylococcus sp., Qipengyuania sp. and Alcanivorax sp. Clinically relevant taxa, including Pseudomonas sp. and Staphylococcus sp., harbored ARGs, which may raise concerns regarding potential seafood-mediated ARG transmission. The significant enrichment and co-localization of mobile genetic elements (MGEs) with ARGs suggest enhanced horizontal gene transfer among native marine bacteria in the offshore environments. However, the limited distribution of ARGs and the absence of associated MGEs during the monsoon season may result from dilution caused by freshwater influx. Comparative functional analysis revealed stress-related functional enrichment in ARG-carrying metagenomic assembled genomes, suggesting environmental stress may enhance the spread of ARGs within offshore microbial communities. These findings challenge the coastal-centric view of marine antibiotic resistance by identifying offshore waters as underrecognized ARG reservoirs. Establishing a genomic baseline for One Health ARG surveillance, this study underscores the urgent need to integrate offshore regions into global monitoring frameworks to protect marine ecosystems and safeguard public health.202540633655
697950.9995Urbanization increases high-risk antibiotic resistance genes and pathogenic bacteria in soil and phyllosphere microbiomes. Rapid urban expansion has transformed agricultural and natural land into industrial, commercial, and residential areas, leading to substantial changes in land use and vegetation types, which exert a profound impact on microbial diversity. However, the responses of soil-plant multitrophic microbial communities to urbanization and its upshots on the profiles of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence factor genes (VFGs) remain poorly explored. This study explored the urban soil and grass phyllosphere microbiomes across five levels of urban gradient, defined by building densities. Our findings reveal the lowest α-diversity of bacteria, fungi, and protists in highly urbanized areas linked with a notable increase in ARGs, and VFGs. The highly populated areas mostly associated with the decrease of habitat green patch sizes that are exposed to the various anthropogenic stocks, and high-risk ARGs pose the utmost vulnerability risks for human well-being. The high-risk genes encoding resistance to multidrug (mdtG, emrD, and mepA), and glycopeptide (vanA) and their associated human potential pathogens were remarkably abundant in soil and grass phyllosphere. Our findings underscore the complex relationships between urbanization, microbial diversity, and resistome, ultimately, it is crucial to monitor the main source of clinical ARGs/VFGs for proper, effective sustainable urban management and public health interventions.202540555022
746760.9995Co-occurrence of antibiotic and metal resistance genes revealed in complete genome collection. The high frequency of antibiotic resistance is a global public health concern. More seriously, widespread metal pressure in the environment may facilitate the proliferation of antibiotic resistance via coselection of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and metal resistance genes (MRGs). Given the lack of comprehensive understanding of the ARG and MRG coselection, in this study both abundance relationship and genetic linkage between ARGs and MRGs were rigorously investigated by performing a genomic analysis of a large complete genome collection. Many more ARGs were enriched in human-associated bacteria compared with those subjected to less anthropogenic interference. The signatures of ARG and MRG co-occurrence were much more frequent and the distance linkages between ARGs and MRGs were much more intimate in human pathogens than those less human-associated bacteria. Moreover, the co-occurrence structures in the habitat divisions were significantly different, which could be attributed to their distinct gene transfer potentials. More exogenous ARGs and MRGs on the genomes of human pathogens indicated the importance of recent resistance acquisition in resistome development of human commensal flora. Overall, the study emphasizes the potential risk associated with ARG and MRG coselection of both environmental and medical relevance.201727959344
680470.9995Seasonal variations of profiles of antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factor genes in household dust from Beijing, China revealed by the metagenomics. Household-related microbiome is closely related with human health. However, the knowledge about profiles of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence factor genes (VFGs) which are carried by microbes inside homes and their temporal dynamics are rather limited. Here we monitored the seasonal changes of bacterial community (especially pathogenic bacteria), ARGs, and VFGs in household dust samples during two years. Based on metagenomic sequencing, the dust-related bacterial pathogenic community, ARGs, and VFGs all harbored the lowest richness in spring among four seasons. Their structure (except that of VFGs) also exhibited remarkable differences among the seasons. The structural variations of ARGs and VFGs were almost explained by mobile genetic elements (MGEs), bacterial pathogens, and particulate matter-related factors, with MGEs explaining the most. Moreover, the total normalized abundance of ARGs or VFGs showed no significant change across the seasons. Results of metagenomic binning and microbial network both showed that several pathogenic taxa (e.g., Ralstonia pickettii) were strongly linked with numerous ARGs (mainly resistant to multidrug) and VFGs (mainly encoding motility) simultaneously. Overall, these findings underline the significance of MGEs in structuring ARGs and VFGs inside homes along with seasonal variations, suggesting that household dust is a neglected reservoir for ARGs and VFGs.202438636860
681880.9995Atmospheric antibiotic resistome driven by air pollutants. The atmosphere is an important reservoir and habitat for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and is a main pathway to cause potential health risks through inhalation and ingestion. However, the distribution characteristics of ARGs in the atmosphere and whether they were driven by atmospheric pollutants remain unclear. We annotated 392 public air metagenomic data worldwide and identified 1863 ARGs, mainly conferring to tetracycline, MLS, and multidrug resistance. We quantified these ARG's risk to human health and identified their principal pathogenic hosts, Burkholderia and Staphylococcus. Additionally, we found that bacteria in particulate contaminated air carry more ARGs than in chemically polluted air. This study revealed the influence of typical pollutants in the global atmosphere on the dissemination and risk of ARGs, providing a theoretical basis for the prevention and mitigation of the global risks associated with ARGs.202337543315
325990.9995Prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes and bacterial pathogens along the soil-mangrove root continuum. Plants roots are colonised by soil bacteria that are known to be the reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). ARGs can transfer between these microorganisms and pathogens, but to what extent these ARGs and pathogens disseminate from soil into plant is poorly understood. Here, we examined a high-resolution resistome profile along the soil-root continuum of mangrove saplings using amplicon and metagenomic sequencing. Data revealed that 91.4% of total ARGs were shared across four root-associated compartments (endosphere, episphere, rhizosphere and unplanted soil). Rather than compartment-selective dynamics of microbiota, the resistome was disseminated in a continuous fashion along the soil-root continuum. Such dissemination was independent of underlying root-associated bacterial and fungal microbiota, but might be facilitated by a multiplicity of mobile genetic elements. As the multiple-drug resistant pathogens, Vibrio vulnificus, pathogenic Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae consistently predominated across four compartments, indicating the potential dissemination of antibiotic pathogens along the soil-root continuum. Through deciphering the profile and dynamics of the root-associated resistome and pathogens, our study identified the soil-root continuum as an interconnected sink through which certain ARGs and pathogens can flow from soil into the plant.202133421848
3174100.9995Spatio-temporal variation of the microbiome and resistome repertoire along an anthropogenically dynamic segment of the Ganges River, India. Aquatic ecosystems are regarded as a hub of antibiotic and metal resistance genes. River Ganges is a unique riverine system in India with socio-cultural and economic significance. However, it remains underexplored for its microbiome and associated resistomes along its anthropogenically impacted course. The present study utilized a nanopore sequencing approach to depict the microbial community structure in the sediments of the river Ganges harboring antibiotic and metal resistance genes (A/MRGs) in lower stretches known for anthropogenic impact. Comprehensive microbiome analyses revealed resistance genes against 23 different types of metals and 28 classes of antibiotics. The most dominant ARG category was multidrug resistance, while the most prevalent MRGs conferred resistance against copper and zinc. Seasonal differences dismally affected the microbiota of the Ganges. However, resistance genes for fosmidomycin and tetracycline varied with season ANOVA, p < 0.05. Interestingly, 333 and 334 ARG subtypes were observed at all the locations in pre-monsoon and post-monsoon, respectively. The taxa associated with the dominant ARGs and MRGs were Pseudomonas and Burkholderia, which are important nosocomial pathogens. A substantial phage diversity for pathogenic and putrefying bacteria at all locations attracts attention for its use to tackle the dissemination of antibiotic and metal-resistant bacteria. This study suggests the accumulation of antibiotics and metals as the driving force for the emergence of resistance genes and the affiliated bacteria trafficking them. The present metagenomic assessment highlights the need for comprehensive, long-term biological and physicochemical monitoring and mitigation strategies toward the contaminants associated with ARGs and MRGs in this nationally important river.202336773904
6799110.9995Geogenic high arsenic elevates the groundwater antibiotic resistomes: A blind spot of resistance in Anthropocene. Metals/metalloids, being ubiquitous in the environment, can function as a co-selective pressure on antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) threatening human health. However, the effect of geogenic arsenic (As) on groundwater antibiotic resistomes and their health risks remain largely unknown. Here, we systematically analyzed bacterial communities, pathogenic bacteria, antibiotic resistomes, and in-situ multidrug-resistant isolates with the assessment of the health risk of ARGs and the pathogenicity of their hosts in high As groundwater from the Hetao basin, Northwestern China. We found that long-term geogenic As exposure shifted the assembly of resistomes and resulted in a high abundance and diversity of ARGs in groundwater. Significantly positive associations among As, As cycling genes, ARGs, and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) revealed by network and pathway analyses, together with genetic evidence of As-tolerant multidrug-resistant isolates by whole genomic sequencing, robustly indicate the geogenic As-induced co-selection for antibiotic resistance in groundwater. Variance partitioning analysis further confirmed the determinative role of geogenic As in groundwater resistomes, with As species and As cycling genes as the core abiotic and biotic drivers, respectively. More seriously, geogenic As accelerated the prevalence of high-risk ARGs and multidrug-resistant bacteria. Our findings highlight the significance of geogenic As-induced co-selection for antibiotic resistance in groundwater and the hidden role of geogenic metals/metalloids in increasing antibiotic resistance. This study provides a basis for groundwater management of both high As and ARGs for human health.202438941868
3265120.9995Characterization of antimicrobial resistance genes and virulence factor genes in an Arctic permafrost region revealed by metagenomics. Antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence factor genes (VFGs) constitute a serious threat to public health, and climate change has been predicted to affect the increase in bacterial pathogens harboring ARGs and VFGs. However, studies on bacterial pathogens and their ARGs and VFGs in permafrost region have received limited attention. In this study, a metagenomic approach was applied to a comprehensive survey to detect potential ARGs, VFGs, and pathogenic antibiotic resistant bacteria (PARB) carrying both ARGs and VFGs in the active layer and permafrost. Overall, 70 unique ARGs against 18 antimicrobial drug classes and 599 VFGs classified as 38 virulence factors were detected in the Arctic permafrost region. Eight genes with mobile genetic elements (MGEs) carrying ARGs were identified; most MGEs were classified as phages. In the metagenome-assembled genomes, the presence of 15 PARB was confirmed. The soil profile showed that the transcripts per million (TPM) values of ARGs and VFGs in the sub-soil horizon were significantly lower than those in the top soil horizon. Based on the TPM value of each gene, major ARGs, VFGs, and these genes in PARB from the Arctic permafrost region were identified and their distribution was confirmed. The major host bacteria for ARGs and VFGs and PARB were identified. A comparison of the percentage identity distribution of ARGs and VFGs to reference databases indicated that ARGs and VFGs in the Arctic soils differ from previously identified genes. Our results may help understand the characteristics and distribution of ARGs, VFGs, and these genes in PARB in the Arctic permafrost region. This findings suggest that the Arctic permafrost region may serve as potential reservoirs for ARGs, VFGs, and PARB. These genes could pose a new threat to human health if they are released by permafrost thawing owing to global warming and propagate to other regions.202234875269
3249130.9995Department-specific patterns of bacterial communities and antibiotic resistance in hospital indoor environments. The hospital indoor environment has a crucial impact on the microbial exposures that humans encounter. Resistance to antibiotics is a mechanism used by bacteria to develop resilience in indoor environments, and the widespread use of antibiotics has led to changes in the ecological function of resistance genes and their acquisition by pathogens. By integrating the 16S rRNA Illumina sequencing and high-throughput-quantitative PCR approaches with water and air dust samples across seven departments in Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, China, this study yields intriguing findings regarding the department-specific variations, correlations and source tracing of bacteria, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) within the hospital indoor environment. A notable observation was the pivotal role played by seasonal variations in shaping the bacterial composition across the entire hospital indoor environment. Another department-specific finding was the correlation between ARGs and MGEs abundance, which was evident in the overall hospital indoor environment, but not found in the blood test room, ophthalmology, and gynecology departments. Notably, as an important source of bacteria and ARGs/MGEs for the blood test room, the gynecology department also presented a close link between bacterial communities and the presence of ARGs/MGEs. Additionally, the results reiterate the importance of surveillance and monitoring of antibiotic resistance, specifically in Legionella spp. in man-made water systems, and highlight the significance of understanding genetic elements like Tp614 involved in gene transfer and recombination, and their impact on antimicrobial treatment efficacy. KEY POINTS: • The department-specific variations, correlations and source tracing of bacteria, ARGs, and MGEs were uncovered in the hospital's indoor environment. • Although each department exhibited consistent seasonal impacts on bacterial compositions, the co-occurrence between the presence of ARGs and MGEs was exclusively evident in the emergency, surgery, pneumology and otolaryngology departments. • The gynecology department emerged as a crucial source of bacteria, ARGs and MGEs within the hospital. Additionally, it was found to exhibit a significant correlation between bacterial communities and the presence of ARGs and MGEs.202439412549
7372140.9995Variability of faecal microbiota and antibiotic resistance genes in flocks of migratory gulls and comparison with the surrounding environment. Gulls commonly rely on human-generated waste as their primary food source, contributing to the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and their resistance genes, both locally and globally. Our understanding of this process remains incomplete, particularly in relation to its potential interaction with surrounding soil and water. We studied the lesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscus, as a model to examine the spatial variation of faecal bacterial communities, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) and its relationship with the surrounding water and soil. We conducted sampling campaigns within a connectivity network of different flocks of gulls moving across functional units (FUs), each of which represents a module of highly interconnected patches of habitats used for roosting and feeding. The FUs vary in habitat use, with some gulls using more polluted sites (notably landfills), while others prefer more natural environments (e.g., wetlands or beaches). Faecal bacterial communities in gulls from flocks that visit and spend more time in landfills exhibited higher richness and diversity. The faecal microbiota showed a high compositional overlap with bacterial communities in soil. The overlap was greater when compared to landfill (11%) than to wetland soils (6%), and much lower when compared to bacterial communities in surrounding water (2% and 1% for landfill and wetland water, respectively). The relative abundance of ARGs and MGEs were similar between FUs, with variations observed only for specific families of ARGs and MGEs. When exploring the faecal carriage of ARGs and MGEs in bird faeces relative to soil and water compartments, gull faeces were enriched in ARGs classified as High-Risk. Our results shed light on the complex dynamics of antibiotic resistance spread in wild bird populations, providing insights into the interactions among gull movement and feeding behavior, habitat characteristics, and the dissemination of antibiotic resistance determinants across environmental reservoirs.202439019307
7365150.9995A case study on the distribution of the environmental resistome in Korean shrimp farms. Hundreds of tons of antibiotics are widely used in aquaculture to prevent microbial infections and promote fish growth. However, the overuse of antibiotics and chemical products can lead to the selection and spreading of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), which are of great concern considering the threat to public health worldwide. Here, in-depth metagenome sequencing was performed to explore the environmental resistome and ARB distribution across farming stages in shrimp farms and examine anthropogenic effects in nearby coastal waters. A genome-centric analysis using a metagenome binning approach allowed us to accurately investigate the distribution of pathogens and ARG hosts in shrimp farms. The diversity of resistomes was higher in shrimp farms than in coastal waters, and the distribution of resistomes was dependent on the farming stage. In particular, the tetracycline resistance gene was found mainly at the early post-larval stage regardless of the farm. The metagenome-assembled genomes of Vibrio spp. were dominant at this stage and harbored tet34, which is known to confer resistance to oxytetracycline. In addition, opportunistic pathogens such as Francisella, Mycoplasma, Photobacterium, and Vibrio were found in abundance in shrimp farms, which had multiple virulence factors. This study highlights the increased resistance diversity and environmental selection of pathogens in shrimp farms. The use of environmental pollutants on farms may cause an increase in resistome diversity/abundance and the transmission of pathogens to the surrounding environment, which may pose future risks to public health and aquatic organisms.202134653940
3176160.9995Comprehensive profiling and risk assessment of antibiotic resistance genes in a drinking water watershed by integrated analysis of air-water-soil. The prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in diverse habitats threatens public health. Watersheds represent critical freshwater ecosystems that interact with both the soil and atmosphere. However, a holistic understanding of ARGs distribution across these environmental media is currently inadequate. We profiled ARGs and bacterial communities in air-water-soil in the same watershed area during four seasons using high-throughput qPCR and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Our findings demonstrated that aminoglycoside resistance genes (58.5%) were dominant in water, and multidrug resistance genes (55.2% and 54.2%) were dominant in soil and air. Five ARGs and nineteen bacterial genera were consistently detected in all samples, were named as shared genes or bacteria. Co-occurrence Network analysis revealed the co-occurrence module of resistance genes, mobile genetic elements (MGEs), and potential bacterial hosts, indicating that shared genes and bacteria may persist and co-spread across different environmental media. The risk assessment framework, based on ARGs' abundance, detection rate, and mobility, identified 33 high-risk ARGs. This is essential to evaluate the health risks of ARGs and to develop strategies to limit the threat of antibiotic resistance. Our study offers new insights into the risks associated with ARGs in the environment and suggests that ARGs may depend on specific bacterial cohabitants that co-exist with MGEs to facilitate their spread across environmental interfaces.202337742410
3251170.9995Coexistence of Antibiotic Resistance Genes and Virulence Factors Deciphered by Large-Scale Complete Genome Analysis. Widespread use of antibiotics has enhanced the evolution of highly resilient pathogens and poses a severe risk to human health via coselection of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence factors (VFs). In this study, we rigorously evaluate the abundance relationship and physical linkage between ARGs and VFs by performing a comprehensive analysis of 9,070 bacterial genomes isolated from multiple species and hosts. The coexistence of ARGs and VFs was observed in bacteria across distinct phyla, pathogenicities, and habitats, especially among human-associated pathogens. The coexistence patterns of gene elements in different habitats and pathogenicity groups were similar, presumably due to frequent gene transfer. A shorter intergenic distance between mobile genetic elements and ARGs/VFs was detected in human/animal-associated bacteria, indicating a higher transfer potential. Increased accumulation of exogenous ARGs/VFs in human pathogens highlights the importance of gene acquisition in the evolution of human commensal bacteria. Overall, the findings provide insights into the genic features of combinations of ARG-VF and expand our understanding of ARG-VF coexistence in bacteria.IMPORTANCE Antibiotic resistance has become a serious global health concern. Despite numerous case studies, a comprehensive analysis of ARG and VF coexistence in bacteria is lacking. In this study, we explore the coexistence profiles of ARGs and VFs in diverse categories of bacteria by using a high-resolution bioinformatics approach. We also provide compelling evidence of unique ARG-VF gene pairs coexisting in specific bacterial genomes and reveal the potential risk associated with the coexistence of ARGs and VFs in organisms in both clinical settings and environments.202032487745
6805180.9995Environmentally persistent microbial contamination in agricultural soils: High risk of pathogenicity and antibiotic resistance. Persistent microbial contamination commonly occurs in the environment. However, the characteristics and associated risks remain largely unknown. The coexistence of virulence factor genes (VFGs) and "last-resort" antibiotic resistance genes (LARGs) on human bacterial pathogens (HBPs) are notorious, creating ecological concerns and health risks. Herein, we explored the pathogenicity and antibiotic resistance levels of LARG-harboring HBPs in agricultural soils. Our findings revealed a high distribution level of VFGs and LARGs in soils (an absolute abundance up to 4.7 × 10(7) gene copies/g soil) by quantitative PCR (qPCR). Furthermore, most isolated LARG-harboring HBPs exhibited a 100 % lethality rate to Galleria mellonella. LARG-carrying plasmids had a low fitness cost to their host bacteria, implying the high adaptation of these plasmids within the HBPs. Most importantly, multiple LARG and VFG plasmid fusion and core genetic arrangements suggested that these LARG/VFG-linked plasmids endowed the stable and persistent horizontal spread of these genes in and/or cross the species and environments. This study not only unveiled high risk, multisource, compliance and stability aspects of environmentally persistent microbial contamination but also illuminated the importance of linking the phenotype-genotype-niche colonization of environmental microbial contamination within "One Health" framework.202439059024
7477190.9995Importance of mobile genetic elements for dissemination of antimicrobial resistance in metagenomic sewage samples across the world. We are facing an ever-growing threat from increasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacteria. To mitigate this, we need a better understanding of the global spread of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). ARGs are often spread among bacteria by horizontal gene transfer facilitated by mobile genetic elements (MGE). Here we use a dataset consisting of 677 metagenomic sequenced sewage samples from 97 countries or regions to study how MGEs are geographically distributed and how they disseminate ARGs worldwide. The ARGs, MGEs, and bacterial abundance were calculated by reference-based read mapping. We found systematic differences in the abundance of MGEs and ARGs, where some elements were prevalent on all continents while others had higher abundance in separate geographic areas. Different MGEs tended to be localized to temperate or tropical climate zones, while different ARGs tended to separate according to continents. This suggests that the climate is an important factor influencing the local flora of MGEs. MGEs were also found to be more geographically confined than ARGs. We identified several integrated MGEs whose abundance correlated with the abundance of ARGs and bacterial genera, indicating the ability to mobilize and disseminate these genes. Some MGEs seemed to be more able to mobilize ARGs and spread to more bacterial species. The host ranges of MGEs seemed to differ between elements, where most were associated with bacteria of the same family. We believe that our method could be used to investigate the population dynamics of MGEs in complex bacterial populations.202337856515