# | Rank | Similarity | Title + Abs. | Year | PMID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 7127 | 0 | 1.0000 | Comparison of antibiotic resistance genes in swine manure storage pits of Iowa, USA. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) can develop in deep-pit swine manure storage when bacteria are selectively pressured by unmetabolized antibiotics. Subsequent manure application on row crops is then a source of AMR into soil and downstream runoff water. Therefore, understanding the patterns of diverse antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in manure among different farms is important for both interpreting the results of the detection of these genes from previous studies and for the use of these genes as bioindicators of manure borne antibiotic resistance in the environment. Previous studies of manure-associated ARGs are based on limited samples of manures. To better understand the distribution of ARGs between manures, we characterized manures from 48 geographically independent swine farms across Iowa. The objectives of this study were to characterize the distribution of ARGs among these manures and to evaluate what factors in manure management may influence the presence of ARGs in manures. Our analysis included quantification of two commonly found ARGs in swine manure, ermB and tetM. Additionally, we characterized a broader suite of 31 ARGs which allowed for simultaneous assays of the presence or absence of multiple genes. We found the company integrator had a significant effect on both ermB (P=0.0007) and tetM gene concentrations (P=0.0425). Our broad analysis on ARG profiles found that the tet(36) gene was broadly present in swine manures, followed by the detection of tetT, tetM, erm(35), ermF, ermB, str, aadD, and intl3 in samples from 14 farms. Finally, we provide a comparison of methods to detect ARGs in manures, specifically comparing conventional and high-throughput qPCR and discuss their role in ARG environmental monitoring efforts. Results of this study provide insight into commonalities of ARG presence in manure holding pits and provide supporting evidence that company integrator decisions may impact ARG concentrations. | 2023 | 39816658 |
| 7651 | 1 | 0.9998 | Antibiotic resistance gene profile changes in cropland soil after manure application and rainfall. Land application of manure introduces gastrointestinal microbes into the environment, including bacteria carrying antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Measuring soil ARGs is important for active stewardship efforts to minimize gene flow from agricultural production systems; however, the variety of sampling protocols and target genes makes it difficult to compare ARG results between studies. We used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods to characterize and/or quantify 27 ARG targets in soils from 20 replicate, long-term no-till plots, before and after swine manure application and simulated rainfall and runoff. All samples were negative for the 10 b-lactamase genes assayed. For tetracycline resistance, only source manure and post-application soil samples were positive. The mean number of macrolide, sulfonamide, and integrase genes increased in post-application soils when compared with source manure, but at plot level only, 1/20, 5/20, and 11/20 plots post-application showed an increase in erm(B), sulI, and intI1, respectively. Results confirmed the potential for temporary blooms of ARGs after manure application, likely linked to soil moisture levels. Results highlight uneven distribution of ARG targets, even within the same soil type and at the farm plot level. This heterogeneity presents a challenge for separating effects of manure application from background ARG noise under field conditions and needs to be considered when designing studies to evaluate the impact of best management practices to reduce ARG or for surveillance. We propose expressing normalized quantitative PCR (qPCR) ARG values as the number of ARG targets per 100,000 16S ribosomal RNA genes for ease of interpretation and to align with incidence rate data. | 2020 | 33016404 |
| 7412 | 2 | 0.9998 | Effect of composting and storage on the microbiome and resistome of cattle manure from a commercial dairy farm in Poland. Manure from food-producing animals, rich in antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), poses significant environmental and healthcare risks. Despite global efforts, most manure is not adequately processed before use on fields, escalating the spread of antimicrobial resistance. This study examined how different cattle manure treatments, including composting and storage, affect its microbiome and resistome. The changes occurring in the microbiome and resistome of the treated manure samples were compared with those of raw samples by high-throughput qPCR for ARGs tracking and sequencing of the V3-V4 variable region of the 16S rRNA gene to indicate bacterial community composition. We identified 203 ARGs and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) in raw manure. Post-treatment reduced these to 76 in composted and 51 in stored samples. Notably, beta-lactam, cross-resistance to macrolides, lincosamides and streptogramin B (MLSB), and vancomycin resistance genes decreased, while genes linked to MGEs, integrons, and sulfonamide resistance increased after composting. Overall, total resistance gene abundance significantly dropped with both treatments. During composting, the relative abundance of genes was lower midway than at the end. Moreover, higher biodiversity was observed in samples after composting than storage. Our current research shows that both composting and storage effectively reduce ARGs in cattle manure. However, it is challenging to determine which method is superior, as different groups of resistance genes react differently to each treatment, even though a notable overall reduction in ARGs is observed. | 2024 | 38616224 |
| 7082 | 3 | 0.9998 | Catchment-scale export of antibiotic resistance genes and bacteria from an agricultural watershed in central Iowa. Antibiotics are administered to livestock in animal feeding operations (AFOs) for the control, prevention, and treatment of disease. Manure from antibiotic treated livestock contains unmetabolized antibiotics that provide selective pressure on bacteria, facilitating the expression of anti-microbial resistance (AMR). Manure application on row crops is an agronomic practice used by growers to meet crop nutrient needs; however, it can be a source of AMR to the soil and water environment. This study in central Iowa aims to directly compare AMR indicators in outlet runoff from two adjacent (221 to 229 ha) manured and non-manured catchments (manure comparison), and among three catchments (600 to 804 ha) with manure influence, no known manure application (control), and urban influences (mixed land use comparison). Monitored AMR indicators included antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) ermB, ermF (macrolide), tetA, tetM, tetO, tetW (tetracycline), sul1, sul2 (sulfonamide), aadA2 (aminoglycoside), vgaA, and vgaB (pleuromutilin), and tylosin and tetracycline resistant enterococci bacteria. Results of the manure comparison showed significantly higher (p<0.05) tetracycline and tylosin resistant bacteria from the catchment with manure application in 2017, but no differences in 2018, possibly due to changes in antibiotic use resulting from the Veterinary Feed Directive. Moreover, the ARG analysis indicated a larger diversity of ARGs at the manure amended catchment. The mixed land use comparison showed the manure amended catchment had significantly higher (p<0.05) tetracycline resistant bacteria in 2017 and significantly higher tylosin resistant bacteria in 2017 and 2018 than the urban influenced catchment. The urban influenced catchment had significantly higher ermB concentrations in both sampling years, however the manure applied catchment runoff consisted of higher relative abundance of total ARGs. Additionally, both catchments showed higher AMR indicators compared to the control catchment. This study identifies four ARGs that might be specific to AMR as a result of agricultural sources (tetM, tetW, sul1, sul2) and optimal for use in watershed scale monitoring studies for tracking resistance in the environment. | 2020 | 31923233 |
| 7109 | 4 | 0.9998 | Explore the Contamination of Antibiotic Resistance Genes (ARGs) and Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (ARB) of the Processing Lines at Typical Broiler Slaughterhouse in China. Farms are a major source of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB), and previous research mainly focuses on polluted soils and breeding environments. However, slaughtering is an important link in the transmission of ARGs and ARB from farmland to dining table. In this study, we aim to reveal the pollution of ARGs and ARB in the slaughter process of broilers. First, by qualitative and quantitative analysis of ARGs in samples collected from the broiler slaughtering and processing production chain, the contamination level of ARGs was reflected; secondly, potential hosts for ARGs and microbial community were analyzed to reflect the possible transmission rules; thirdly, through the antibiotic susceptibility spectrum analysis of four typical food-borne pathogens, the distribution of ARB was revealed. The results showed that 24 types of ARGs were detected positive on the broiler slaughter production line, and tetracycline-resistance genes (20.45%) were the most frequently detected. The types of ARGs vary with sampling process, and all sampling links contain high levels of sul2 and intI1. The most abundant ARGs were detected in chicken surface in the scalding stage and entrails surface in the evisceration stage. There was a significant correlation between intI1 and tetM, suggesting that tetM might be able to enter the human food chain through class-1 integrons. The host range of the oqxB gene is the most extensive, including Sphingobacterium, Bacteroidia unclassified, Rothia, Microbacterium, Algoriella, etc. In the relevant links of the slaughter production line, the microbial community structure is similar. Removing viscera may cause diffusion of ARGs carried by intestinal microorganisms and contaminate chicken and following processing production. The four food-borne pathogens we tested are widely present in all aspects of the slaughter process, and most of them have multi-drug resistance and even have a high degree of resistance to some veterinary drugs banned by the Ministry of Agriculture. Our study preliminarily revealed the pollution of ARGs and ARB in the slaughter process of broilers, and these results are helpful to carry out food safety risk assessment and formulate corresponding control measures. | 2025 | 40232101 |
| 7414 | 5 | 0.9998 | Structure of the manure resistome and the associated mobilome for assessing the risk of antimicrobial resistance transmission to crops. In this study, the impact of bovine and poultry manure on the quantitative and qualitative composition of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and the environmental mobilome associated with antimicrobial resistance in soil and crops was determined with the use of next generation sequencing methods. The aim of the study was to perform a metagenomic analysis of manure to estimate the risk of the transmission of ARGs and bacterial drug resistance carriers to fertilized soil and crops. The total copy number of ARGs was nearly four times higher in poultry manure (555 ppm) than in bovine manure (140 ppm), and this relationship was also noted in fertilized soil. Poultry manure induced a much greater increase in the concentrations of ARGs in the soil environment (196.4 ppm) than bovine manure (137.8 ppm) immediately after supplementation. The application of poultry manure led to the highest increase in the abundance of genes encoding resistance to tetracyclines (9%), aminoglycosides (3.5%), sulfonamides (3%), bacitracin (2%), chloramphenicol (2%), and macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin antibiotics (1%). Heavy metals were stronger promoters of antibiotic resistance in the environment than antibiotics. Antibiotics exerted a greater influence on maintaining the diversity of ARGs than on increasing their abundance in soil. Large quantities of insertion sequences (IS), including those associated with the mobility of ARGs in the population of ESKAPEE pathogens, are introduced to soil with manure. These IS remain stable for up to several months, which indicates that manure, in particular poultry manure, significantly increases the risk of rapid ARG transfer to the environment. Manure also largely contributes to an increase in the diversity of the resistome and mobilome in the metagenome of bacteria isolated from crops. Bacteria of the phylum Proteobacteria appear to play a major role in the transmission of multiple ARGs in crops grown for human and animal consumption. | 2022 | 34864022 |
| 7285 | 6 | 0.9998 | Human Activity Determines the Presence of Integron-Associated and Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Southwestern British Columbia. The dissemination of antibiotic resistant bacteria from anthropogenic sources into the environment poses an emerging public health threat. Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and gene-capturing systems such as integron-associated integrase genes (intI) play a key role in alterations of microbial communities and the spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria into the environment. In order to assess the effect of anthropogenic activities on watersheds in southwestern British Columbia, the presence of putative antibiotic resistance and integrase genes was analyzed in the microbiome of agricultural, urban influenced, and protected watersheds. A metagenomics approach and high-throughput quantitative PCR (HT qPCR) were used to screen for elements of resistance including ARGs and intI. Metagenomic sequencing of bacterial genomic DNA was used to characterize the resistome of microbial communities present in watersheds over a 1-year period. There was a low prevalence of ARGs relative to the microbial population (<1%). Analysis of the metagenomic sequences detected a total of 60 elements of resistance including 46 ARGs, intI1, and groEL/intI1 genes and 12 quaternary ammonium compounds (qac) resistance genes across all watershed locations. The relative abundance and richness of ARGs was found to be highest in agriculture impacted watersheds compared to urban and protected watersheds. A downstream transport pattern was observed in the impacted watersheds (urban and agricultural) during dry months. Similar to other reports, this study found a strong association between intI1 and ARGs (e.g., sul1), an association which may be used as a proxy for anthropogenic activities. Chemical analysis of water samples for three major groups of antibiotics was below the detection limit. However, the high richness and gene copy numbers (GCNs) of ARGs in impacted sites suggest that the effects of effluents on microbial communities are occurring even at low concentrations of antimicrobials in the water column. Antibiotic resistance and integrase genes in a year-long metagenomic study showed that ARGs were driven mainly by environmental factors from anthropogenized sites in agriculture and urban watersheds. Environmental factors such as land-use and water quality parameters accounted for 45% of the variability observed in watershed locations. | 2018 | 29765365 |
| 7114 | 7 | 0.9998 | Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Freshwater Trout Farms in a Watershed in Chile. Point sources such as wastewater treatment plants, terrestrial agriculture, and aquaculture may release antibiotic residues, antibiotic resistant bacteria, and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) into aquatic ecosystems. However, there is a lack of quantitative studies attributing environmental ARG abundance to specific sources. The goal of this study was to evaluate the role of freshwater trout farms in the release and dissemination of ARGs into the environment. Sediment samples upstream and downstream from five rainbow trout farms were collected over time in southern Chile. A microfluidic quantitative polymerase chain reaction approach was used to quantify an ARG array covering different mechanisms of resistance, and data were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA) and linear mixed regression models. Surveys were also conducted to obtain information about management practices, including antibiotic use, at the farms. Florfenicol and oxytetracycline were used at these farms, although at different rates. A total of 93 samples were analyzed. In the PCA, , , , , (A), (B), (C), (W), and grouped together. A statistically significant increase in abundance of , , , and several genes was found downstream from the farms compared with upstream sites, and retention ponds had the highest ARG abundance at each site. Antibiotic resistance gene levels returned to baseline at an average distance of 132.7 m downstream from the farms. Although results from this study indicate an influence of trout farms on the presence of ARGs in the immediate environment, the extent of their contribution to ARG dissemination is unknown and deserves further investigation. | 2019 | 31589726 |
| 7413 | 8 | 0.9998 | Fecal antibiotic resistance genes were transferred through the distribution of soil-lettuce-snail food chain. Massive antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) were detected in the soil modified by manure, which may affect human life safety through the food chain. However, the transmission of ARGs through the soil-plant-animal food chain is still unclear. Therefore, this study used high-throughput quantitative PCR technology to explore the effects of pig manure application on ARGs and bacterial communities in soil, lettuce phyllosphere, and snail excrement. The results showed that a total of 384 ARGs and 48 MEGs were detected in all samples after 75 days of incubation. The diversity of ARGs and MGEs in soil components increased significantly by 87.04% and 40% with the addition of pig manure. The absolute abundance of ARGs in the phyllosphere of lettuce was significantly higher than that of the control group, with a growth rate of 212.5%. Six common ARGs were detected between the three components of the fertilization group, indicating that there was internal transmission of fecal ARGs between the trophic levels of the food chain. Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were identified as the dominant host bacteria in the food chain system, which were more likely to be used as carriers of ARGs to promote the spread of resistance in the food chain. The results were used to assess the potential ecological risks of livestock and poultry manure. It provides theoretical basis and scientific support for the formulation of ARG prevention and control policies. | 2023 | 37434056 |
| 7261 | 9 | 0.9997 | Inorganic and organic fertilizers impact the abundance and proportion of antibiotic resistance and integron-integrase genes in agricultural grassland soil. Soil fertilization with animal manure or its digestate may facilitate an important antibiotic resistance dissemination route from anthropogenic sources to the environment. This study examines the effect of mineral fertilizer (NH4NO3), cattle slurry and cattle slurry digestate amendment on the abundance and proportion dynamics of five antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and two classes of integron-integrase genes (intI1 and intI2) in agricultural grassland soil. Fertilization was performed thrice throughout one vegetation period. The targeted ARGs (sul1, tetA, blaCTX-M, blaOXA2 and qnrS) encode resistance to several major antibiotic classes used in veterinary medicine such as sulfonamides, tetracycline, cephalosporins, penicillin and fluoroquinolones, respectively. The non-fertilized grassland soil contained a stable background of tetA, blaCTX-M and sul1 genes. The type of applied fertilizer significantly affected ARGs and integron-integrase genes abundances and proportions in the bacterial community (p<0.001 in both cases), explaining 67.04% of the abundance and 42.95% of the proportion variations in the grassland soil. Both cattle slurry and cattle slurry digestate proved to be considerable sources of ARGs, especially sul1, as well as integron-integrases. Sul1, intI1 and intI2 levels in grassland soil were elevated in response to each organic fertilizer's application event, but this increase was followed by a stage of decrease, suggesting that microbes possessing these genes were predominantly entrained into soil via cattle slurry or its digestate application and had somewhat limited survival potential in a soil environment. However, the abundance of these three target genes did not decrease to a background level by the end of the study period. TetA was most abundant in mineral fertilizer treated soil and blaCTX-M in cattle slurry digestate amended soil. Despite significantly different abundances, the abundance dynamics of bacteria possessing these genes were similar (p<0.05 in all cases) in different treatments and resembled the dynamics of the whole bacterial community abundance in each soil treatment. | 2016 | 27115621 |
| 3219 | 10 | 0.9997 | Airborne bacterial contaminations in typical Chinese wet market with live poultry trade. Chinese wet markets with live poultry trade have been considered as major sources of pathogen dissemination, and sites for horizontal transfer of bacterial and viral pathogens. In this study, the pathogenic bacteria and antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) in air samples collected at a typical Chinese wet market had been analysis and quantified. Corynebacterium minutissimum and other pathogenic bacteria accounted for 0.81-8.02% of the whole microbial community in different air samples. The four ARGs quantified in this study showed a comparable relative concentration (copies/ng_DNA) with municipal wastewater. Poultry manures were demonstrated to be important microbial contamination source in wet market, which was supported by both microbial composition based source tracking and the quantification of airborne microbial density. A series of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes indicators of poultry area contamination were successfully screened, which will be useful for the more convenient monitoring of airborne poultry area contamination. Our results indicate bioaerosols acted as important route for the transmissions of pathogens and ARGs. Continued surveillance of airborne microbial contamination is required in poultry trade wet market. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Urban live poultry markets are important sources of pathogen dissemination, and sites for horizontal transfer of viral and bacterial pathogens. In the present field-study, pathogenic bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes were focused to provide quantitative information on the levels of microbial contaminations at the indoor air of wet markets. Results demonstrated that poultry manures were important microbial contamination source in wet market, and in the meanwhile bioaerosols were identified as important route for the transmissions of microbial contaminants. A series of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes indicators of poultry area contamination were successfully screened, which will be useful for the more convenient monitoring of airborne poultry area contamination. | 2016 | 27503629 |
| 3205 | 11 | 0.9997 | Determinants for antimicrobial resistance genes in farm dust on 333 poultry and pig farms in nine European countries. Livestock feces with antimicrobial resistant bacteria reaches the farm floor, manure pit, farm land and wider environment by run off and aerosolization. Little research has been done on the role of dust in the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in farms. Concentrations and potential determinants of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in farm dust are at present not known. Therefore in this study absolute ARG levels, representing the levels people and animals might be exposed to, and relative abundances of ARGs, representing the levels in the bacterial population, were quantified in airborne farm dust using qPCR. Four ARGs were determined in 947 freshly settled farm dust samples, captured with electrostatic dustfall collectors (EDCs), from 174 poultry (broiler) and 159 pig farms across nine European countries. By using linear mixed modeling, associations with fecal ARG levels, antimicrobial use (AMU) and farm and animal related parameters were determined. Results show similar relative abundances in farm dust as in feces and a significant positive association (ranging between 0.21 and 0.82) between the two reservoirs. AMU in pigs was positively associated with ARG abundances in dust from the same stable. Higher biosecurity standards were associated with lower relative ARG abundances in poultry and higher relative ARG abundances in pigs. Lower absolute ARG levels in dust were driven by, among others, summer season and certain bedding materials for poultry, and lower animal density and summer season for pigs. This study indicates different pathways that contribute to shaping the dust resistome in livestock farms, related to dust generation, or affecting the bacterial microbiome. Farm dust is a large reservoir of ARGs from which transmission to bacteria in other reservoirs can possibly occur. The identified determinants of ARG abundances in farm dust can guide future research and potentially farm management policy. | 2022 | 35033551 |
| 3238 | 12 | 0.9997 | Extensive metagenomic analysis of the porcine gut resistome to identify indicators reflecting antimicrobial resistance. BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been regarded as a major threat to global health. Pigs are considered an important source of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). However, there is still a lack of large-scale quantitative data on the distribution of ARGs in the pig production industry. The bacterial species integrated ARGs in the gut microbiome have not been clarified. RESULTS: In the present study, we used deep metagenomic sequencing data of 451 samples from 425 pigs including wild boars, Tibetan pigs, and commercial or cross-bred experimental pigs under different rearing modes, to comprehensively survey the diversity and distribution of ARGs and detect the bacteria integrated in these ARGs. We identified a total of 1295 open reading frames (ORFs) recognized as antimicrobial resistance protein-coding genes. The ORFs were clustered into 349 unique types of ARGs, and these could be further classified into 69 drug resistance classes. Tetracycline resistance was most enriched in pig feces. Pigs raised on commercial farms had a significantly higher AMR level than pigs under semi-free ranging conditions or wild boars. We tracked the changes in the composition of ARGs at different growth stages and gut locations. There were 30 drug resistance classes showing significantly different abundances in pigs between 25 and 240 days of age. The richness of ARGs and 41 drug resistance classes were significantly different between cecum lumen and feces in pigs from commercial farms, but not in wild boars. We identified 24 bacterial species that existed in almost all tested samples (core bacteria) and were integrated 128 ARGs in their genomes. However, only nine ARGs of these 128 ARGs were core ARGs, suggesting that most of the ARGs in these bacterial species might be acquired rather than constitutive. We selected three subsets of ARGs as indicators for evaluating the pollution level of ARGs in samples with high accuracy (r = 0.73~0.89). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a primary overview of ARG profiles in various farms under different rearing modes, and the data serve as a reference for optimizing the use of antimicrobials and evaluating the risk of pollution by ARGs in pig farms. Video abstract. | 2022 | 35246246 |
| 3212 | 13 | 0.9997 | Distribution and driving factors of antibiotic resistance genes in treated wastewater from different types of livestock farms. Treated wastewater from livestock farms is an important reservoir for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and is a main source of ARGs in the environment. However, the distribution and driving factors of ARGs in treated wastewater from different types of livestock farms are rarely reported. In this study, treated wastewater from 69 large-scale livestock farms of different types, including broiler, layer, and pig farms, was collected, and 11 subtypes of ARGs, 2 mobile genetic elements (MGEs) and bacterial community structure were analyzed. The results revealed detection rates of NDM-1 and mcr-1 of 90 % and 43 %, respectively, and the detection rates of other ARGs were 100 %. The relative abundance of ARGs, such as tetA, tetX and strB, in broiler farms was significantly higher than that in layer farms, but the bacterial α diversity was significantly lower than that in other farm types. Furthermore, although the treatment process had a greater impact on the physicochemical properties of the treated wastewater than the livestock type, livestock type was the main factor affecting the bacterial community in the treated wastewater. The analysis of potential host bacteria of ARGs revealed significant differences in the host bacteria of ARGs in treated wastewater from different types of livestock farms. The host bacteria of ARGs in broiler farms mainly belonged to Actinobacteria, layer farms mainly belonged to Proteobacteria, and pig farms mainly belonged to Firmicutes. Additionally, redundancy analysis showed that the distribution of ARGs may have resulted from the combination of multiple driving factors in different types of livestock farms, among which tnpA and NH(4)(+)-N were the main influencing factors. This study revealed multiple driving factors for the distribution of typical ARGs in treated wastewater from different types of livestock farms, providing basic data for the prevention and control of ARG pollution in agricultural environments. | 2022 | 35934031 |
| 6852 | 14 | 0.9997 | Distribution and co-occurrence patterns of antibiotic resistance genes in black soils in Northeast China. Black soils (Mollisols) are among the most important soil resources for crop production and food security. In China, they are mainly distributed in the northeastern region. To investigate soil antibiotic resistance distribution patterns and monitor soil quality, we randomly chose nine corn fields in Northeast China and analyzed the antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) distribution and co-occurrence patterns on the basis of high-throughput approaches and network analyses. High genetic diversity (136 unique genes) and low ARG abundances (10(-5)-10(-2) copies/16S rRNA gene copy) were detected, with relatively few interactions among ARGs. Type I integron genes were prevalent in the soil and were positively correlated with ARGs, which may increase the risk of ARG transmission. Most ARGs were strongly associated with microorganisms. Moreover, several ARGs were significantly correlated with antibiotics, nutrients, and metal elements. The generation and dissemination of ARGs, which were most likely mediated by mobile genetic elements (MGEs) and bacteria, were affected by environmental conditions. These results provide insights into the widespread co-occurrence patterns in soil resistomes. | 2022 | 35809539 |
| 7113 | 15 | 0.9997 | Stormwater loadings of antibiotic resistance genes in an urban stream. Antibiotic resistance presents a critical public health challenge and the transmission of antibiotic resistance via environmental pathways continues to gain attention. Factors driving the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in surface water and sources of ARGs in urban stormwater have not been well-characterized. In this study, five ARGs (sul1, sul2, tet(O), tet(W), and erm(F)) were quantified throughout the duration of three storm runoff events in an urban inland stream. Storm loads of all five ARGs were significantly greater than during equivalent background periods. Neither fecal indicator bacteria measured (E. coli or enterococci) was significantly correlated with sul1, sul2, or erm(F), regardless of whether ARG concentration was absolute or normalized to 16S rRNA levels. Both E. coli and enterococci were correlated with the tetracycline resistance genes, tet(O) and tet(W). Next-generation shotgun metagenomic sequencing was conducted to more thoroughly characterize the resistome (i.e., full complement of ARGs) and profile the occurrence of all ARGs described in current databases in storm runoff in order to inform future watershed monitoring and management. Between 37 and 121 different ARGs were detected in each stream sample, though the ARG profiles differed among storms. This study establishes that storm-driven transport of ARGs comprises a considerable fraction of overall downstream loadings and broadly characterizes the urban stormwater resistome to identify potential marker ARGs indicative of impact. | 2017 | 28662396 |
| 6839 | 16 | 0.9997 | Bioaerosol is an important transmission route of antibiotic resistance genes in pig farms. Although pig farms are hotspots of antibiotic resistance due to intensive use of antibiotics, little is known about the abundance, diversity and transmission of airborne antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). This study reports that bioaerosol is an important spread route of ARGs in pig farms. ARGs, mobile genetic elements (MGEs), and bacterial communities were investigated in both air and feces samples during winter and summer. The average concentration of airborne ARGs and MGEs during winter is higher than that during summer when using the ventilation system. The tetM is identified as the predominant airborne ARG with abundance of 6.3 ± 1.2 log copies/m(3). Clostridium and Streptococcus are two dominant bacteria and several opportunistic pathogens are detected in air samples. High temperature is favorable for more diverse bacterial communities, but relative humidity has negative effects. The wind speed promotes the spread of airborne ARGs. The network analysis results show the average fecal contribution to airborne bacteria is 19.9% and 59.4% during summer and winter, respectively. Horizontal gene transfer plays an important role in the dissemination of airborne ARGs during winter (77.8% possibility), while a lower possibility of 12.0% in summer. | 2021 | 33864959 |
| 3214 | 17 | 0.9997 | Characteristics of the antibiotic resistance genes in the soil of medical waste disposal sites. The inappropriate disposal of medical waste allows bacteria to acquire antibiotic resistance, which results in a threat to public health. Antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) profiles were determined for 45 different soil samples containing medical waste and 15 nearby soil samples as controls. Besides physical and chemical analyses (i.e., dry matter content, pH value, and metal content), the genomes of microorganisms from the soil samples were extracted for high-throughput sequencing. ARG abundances of these samples were obtained by searching the metagenomic sequences against the antibiotic resistance gene database and the copies of ARGs per copy of the 16S rRNA gene at different levels were assessed. The results showed medical waste accumulation significantly enriched the contents of Cu, Cr, Pb, and As in the tested soil samples. Compared to the controls, the samples collected from areas containing medical waste were significantly enriched (p < 0.05, t-test) with ARGs annotated as sulfonamide and multidrug resistance genes, and in particular, the subtypes sul1 and sul2 (sulfonamide resistance genes), and multidrug_transporter (multidrug resistance gene). Moreover, the ARGs of the samples from the polluted areas were more diverse than those of the control samples (p < 0.05, t-test). The comparatively higher abundance and diversity of ARGs in contaminated soil pose a potential risk to human health. | 2020 | 32402966 |
| 7119 | 18 | 0.9997 | Assessing the benefits of composting poultry manure in reducing antimicrobial residues, pathogenic bacteria, and antimicrobial resistance genes: a field-scale study. The poultry industry in the European Union produces 13 million tons of manure annually, which represents a major health and environmental challenge. Composting is an environmental-friendly technique for the management of manure, but there are few studies about antibiotic residues and antimicrobial resistances at a field scale. The goal of this study was to determine if the composting of poultry manure at a field scale would result in the reduction of antibiotic residues, pathogenic bacteria, and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the final fertilizer product. A 10-week composting of poultry manure spiked with enrofloxacin, doxycycline, and ciprofloxacin was performed. The determination of antibiotics residues and 22 selected ARGs was carried out together with the identification of bacteria by metagenomics. In the case of ciprofloxacin and doxycycline, a 90% decrease was observed after composting for 3 weeks. Sixteen ARGs were detected at the beginning of the experiment; 12 of them decreased from week 0 to week 10 (reduction of 73.7-99.99%). The presence of potentially pathogenic bacteria, such as, Campylobacter coli or commensal bacteria such as Escherichia coli decreases along the composting process. In conclusion, 10-week composting of poultry manure promotes the reduction of antibiotic residues and most of the ARGs and pathogenic bacteria. | 2020 | 32399873 |
| 3213 | 19 | 0.9997 | Investigating antibiotics, antibiotic resistance genes, and microbial contaminants in groundwater in relation to the proximity of urban areas. Groundwater is an essential public and drinking water supply and its protection is a goal for global policies. Here, we investigated the presence and prevalence of antibiotic residues, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), mobile genetic elements (MGEs), and microbial contamination in groundwater environments at various distances from urban areas. Antibiotic concentrations ranged from below detection limit to 917 ng/L, being trimethoprim, macrolide, and sulfonamide the most abundant antibiotic classes. A total of eleven ARGs (aminoglycoside, β-lactam, chloramphenicol, Macrolide-Lincosamide-Streptogramin B - MLSB, sulfonamide, and tetracycline), one antiseptic resistance gene, and two MGEs were detected by qPCR with relative abundances ranging from 6.61 × 10(-7) to 2.30 × 10(-1) copies/16S rRNA gene copies. ARGs and MGEs were widespread in the investigated groundwater environments, with increased abundances not only in urban, but also in remote areas. Distinct bacterial community profiles were observed, with a higher prevalence of Betaproteobacteria and Bacteroidetes in the less-impacted areas, and that of Firmicutes in the contaminated groundwater. The combined characteristics of increased species diversity, distinct phylogenetic composition, and the possible presence of fecal and/or pathogenic bacteria could indicate different types of contamination. Significant correlations between ARGs, MGEs and specific taxa within the groundwater bacterial community were identified, revealing the potential hosts of resistance types. Although no universal marker gene could be determined, a co-selection of int1, qacEΔ1 and sulI genes, a proxy group for anthropogenic pollution, with the tetC, tetO, tetW resistance genes was identified. As the tet group was observed to follow the pattern of environmental contamination for the groundwater samples investigated in this study, our results strongly support the proposal of this group of genes as an environmental tracer of human impact. Overall, the present study investigated several emerging contaminants in groundwater habitats that may be included in monitoring programs to enable further regulatory and protection measures. | 2018 | 29454283 |