Metagenomics unveils the role of hospitals and wastewater treatment plants on the environmental burden of antibiotic resistance genes and opportunistic pathogens. - Related Documents




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733301.0000Metagenomics unveils the role of hospitals and wastewater treatment plants on the environmental burden of antibiotic resistance genes and opportunistic pathogens. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health challenge, with hospitals and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) serving as significant pathways for the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). This study investigates the potential of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) as an early warning system for assessing the burden of AMR at the population level. In this comprehensive year-long study, effluent was collected weekly from three large hospitals, and treated and untreated wastewater were collected monthly from three associated community WWTPs. Metagenomic analysis revealed a significantly higher relative abundance and diversity of ARGs in hospital wastewater than in WWTPs. Notably, ARGs conferring resistance to clinically significant antibiotics such as β-lactams, aminoglycosides, sulfonamides, and tetracyclines were more prevalent in hospital effluents. Conversely, resistance genes associated with rifampicin and MLS (macrolides-lincosamide-streptogramin) were more commonly detected in the WWTPs, particularly in the treated effluent. Network analysis identified the potential bacterial hosts, which are the key carriers of these ARGs. The study further highlighted the variability in ARG removal efficiencies across the WWTPs, with none achieving complete elimination of ARGs or a significant reduction in bacterial diversity. Additionally, ARG profiles remained relatively consistent in hospital and community wastewater throughout the study, indicating a persistent release of a baseload of ARGs and pathogenic bacteria into surface waters, potentially polluting aquatic environments and entering the food chain. The study underscores the need for routine WBE surveillance, enhanced wastewater treatment strategies, and hospital-level source control measures to mitigate AMR dissemination into the environment.202539798461
686910.9999Contaminant-degrading bacteria are super carriers of antibiotic resistance genes in municipal landfills: A metagenomics-based study. Municipal landfills are hotspot sources of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and are also important habitats of contaminant-degrading bacteria. However, high diversity of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in landfills hinders assessing AMR risks in the affected environment. More concerned, whether there is co-selection or enrichment of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and contaminant-degrading bacteria in these extremely polluted environments is far less understood. Here, we collected metagenomic datasets of 32 raw leachate and 45 solid waste samples in 22 municipal landfills of China. The antibiotic resistome, antibiotic-resistant bacteria and contaminant-degrading bacteria were explored, and were then compared with other environmental types. Results showed that the antibiotic resistome in landfills contained 1,403 ARG subtypes, with the total abundance over the levels in natural environments and reaching the levels in human feces and sewage. Therein, 49 subtypes were listed as top priority ARGs for future surveillance based on the criteria of enrichment in landfills, mobilizable and present in pathogens. By comparing to those in less contaminated river environments, we elucidated an enrichment of antibiotic-resistant bacteria with contaminant-degrading potentials in landfills. Bacteria in Pseudomonadaceae, Moraxellaceae, Xanthomonadaceae and Enterobacteriaceae deserved the most concerns since 72.2 % of ARG hosts were classified to them. Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter nosocomialis and Escherichia coli were abundant multidrug-resistant pathogenic species in raw leachate (∼10.2 % of total microbiomes), but they rarely carried contaminant-degradation genes. Notably, several bacterial genera belonging to Pseudomonadaceae had the most antibiotic-resistant, pathogenic, and contaminant-degrading potentials than other bacteria. Overall, the findings highlight environmental selection for contaminant-degrading antibiotic-resistant pathogens, and provide significant insights into AMR risks in municipal landfills.202539729867
319720.9999Antibiotic resistance and pathogen spreading in a wastewater treatment plant designed for wastewater reuse. Climate change significantly contributes to water scarcity in various regions worldwide. While wastewater reuse is a crucial strategy for mitigating water scarcity, it also carries potential risks for human health due to the presence of pathogenic and antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB). Antibiotic resistance represents a Public Health concern and, according to the global action plan on antimicrobial resistance, wastewater role in selecting and spreading ARB must be monitored. Our aim was to assess the occurrence of ARB, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and potential pathogenic bacteria throughout a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) designed for water reuse. Furthermore, we aimed to evaluate potential association between ARB and ARGs with antibiotics and heavy metals. The results obtained revealed the presence of ARB, ARGs and pathogenic bacteria at every stage of the WWTP. Notably, the most prevalent ARB and ARG were sulfamethoxazole-resistant bacteria (up to 7.20 log CFU mL(-1)) and sulII gene (up to 5.91 log gene copies mL(-1)), respectively. The dominant pathogenic bacteria included Arcobacter, Flavobacterium and Aeromonas. Although the abundance of these elements significantly decreased during treatment (influent vs. effluent, p < 0.05), they were still present in the effluent designated for reuse. Additionally, significant correlations were observed between heavy metal concentrations (copper, nickel and selenium) and antibiotic resistance elements (ampicillin-resistant bacteria, tetracycline-resistant bacteria, ARB total abundance and sulII) (p < 0.05). These results underscore the importance of monitoring the role of WWTP in spreading antibiotic resistance, in line with the One Health approach. Additionally, our findings suggest the need of interventions to reduce human health risks associated with the reuse of wastewater for agricultural purposes.202439357555
317730.9999Metagenomic investigation of antibiotic resistance genes and resistant bacteria contamination in pharmaceutical plant sites in China. Pharmaceutical plant sites play a significant role in the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) into the environment. It is imperative to comprehensively monitor of ARGs across various environmental media at these sites. This study focused on three pharmaceutical plants, two located in North China and one in South China. Through metagenomic approaches, we examined the composition, mobility potential, and bacterial hosts of ARGs in diverse media such as process water, groundwater, topsoil, soil cores, and pharmaceutical fermentation residues across diverse environmental matrices, including topsoil, soil cores, process water, groundwater, and pharmaceutical fermentation residues. We identified a wide array of ARGs, comprising 21 types and 740 subtypes, with process water exhibiting the highest abundance and diversity. Treatment processes varied in their efficacy in eliminating ARGs, and the clinically relevant ARGs should also be considered when evaluating wastewater treatment plant efficiency. Geographical distinctions in groundwater ARG distribution between northern and southern regions were observed. Soil samples from the three sites showed minimal impact from pharmaceutical activity, with vancomycin-resistance genes being the most prevalent. High levels of ARGs in pharmaceutical fermentation residues underscore the necessity for improved waste management practices. Metagenomic assembly revealed that plasmid-mediated ARGs were more abundant than chromosome-mediated ARGs. Metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) analysis identified 166 MAGs, with 62 harboring multiple ARGs. Certain bacteria tended to carry specific types of ARGs, revealing distinct host-resistance associations. This study enhances our understanding of ARG dissemination across different environmental media within pharmaceutical plants and underscores the importance of implementing strict regulations for effluent and residue discharge to control ARG spread.202438960118
317540.9998A multi-pronged approach to assessing antimicrobial resistance risks in coastal waters and aquaculture systems. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global challenge that has impacted aquaculture and surrounding marine environments. In this study, a year-long monitoring program was implemented to evaluate AMR in two different aquaculture settings (i.e., open cage farming, recirculating aquaculture system (RAS)) and surrounding marine environment within a tropical coastal region. The objectives of this study are to (i) investigate the prevalence and co-occurrence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB), antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), antibiotics (AB) and various associated chemical compounds at these study sites; (ii) explore the contributing factors to development and propagation of AMR in the coastal environment; and (iii) assess the AMR risks from different perspectives based on the three AMR determinants (i.e., ARB, ARGs and AB). Key findings revealed a distinct pattern of AMR across the different aquaculture settings, notably a higher prevalence of antibiotic-resistant Vibrio at RAS outfalls, suggesting a potential accumulation of microorganisms within the treatment system. Despite the relative uniform distribution of ARGs across marine sites, specific genes such as qepA, bla(CTX)(-)(M) and bacA, were found to be abundant in fish samples, especially from the RAS. Variations in chemical contaminant prevalence across sites highlighted possible anthropogenic impacts. Moreover, environmental and seasonal variations were found to significantly influence the distribution of ARGs and chemical compounds in the coastal waters. Hierarchical cluster analysis that was based on ARGs, chemical compounds and environmental data, categorized the sites into three distinct clusters which reflected strong association with location, seasonality and aquaculture activities. The observed weak correlations between ARGs and chemical compounds imply that low environmental concentrations may be insufficient for resistance selection. A comprehensive risk assessment using methodologies such as the multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index, comparative AMR risk index (CAMRI) and Risk quotient (RQ) underscored the complexity of AMR risks. This research significantly contributes to the understanding of AMR dynamics in natural aquatic systems and provides valuable insights for managing and mitigating AMR risks in coastal environments.202439241380
733150.9998Metagenomics analysis of probable transmission of determinants of antibiotic resistance from wastewater to the environment - A case study. During mechanical-biological treatment, wastewater droplets reach the air with bioaerosols and pose a health threat to wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) employees and nearby residents. Microbiological pollutants and antimicrobial resistance determinants are discharged to water bodies with treated wastewater (TWW), which poses a potential global epidemiological risk. In the present study, the taxonomic composition of microorganisms was analyzed, and the resistome profile and mobility of genes were determined by metagenomic next-generation sequencing in samples of untreated wastewater (UWW), wastewater collected from an activated sludge (AS) bioreactor, TWW, river water collected upstream and downstream from the wastewater discharge point, and in upper respiratory tract swabs collected from WWTP employees. Wastewater and the emitted bioaerosols near WWTP's facilities presumably contributed to the transmission of microorganisms, in particular bacteria of the phylum Actinobacteria and the associated antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) (including ermB, ant(2″)-I, tetM, penA and cfxA2) to the upper respiratory tract of WWTP employees. The discharged wastewater increased the taxonomic diversity of microorganisms and the concentrations of various ARGs (including bacA, emrE, sul1, sul2 and tetQ) in river water. This study fills in the knowledge gap on the health risks faced by WWTP employees. The study has shown that microbiological pollutants and antimicrobial resistance determinants are also in huge quantities discharged to rivers with TWW, posing a potential global epidemiological threat.202235259375
318960.9998Hospital Wastewater as a Reservoir for Antibiotic Resistance Genes: A Meta-Analysis. Background: The emergence and dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment poses a huge global health hazard. Hospital wastewater (HWW), in which a high density of antibiotic residues and antibiotic-resistant bacteria are present, may be a reservoir of ARGs dissemination into the environment. Our meta-analysis comprehensively analyzes the prevalence of ARGs in HWW, as well as the influencing factors in ARGs distribution. Methods: Online databases were used to search for literature using the subject terms: "Drug Resistance" AND "Genes" AND "Hospitals" AND "Wastewater." Two reviewers independently applied predefined criteria to assess the literature and extract data including "relative abundance of ARGs," "title," "authors," "country," "location," "sampling year," and "sampling seasons." The median values and 95% confidence intervals of ARGs abundance were calculated by Wilcox.test function in R. Temporal trends, spatial differences, seasonal variations and removal efficiency of ARGs were analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis and Kruskal-Wallis H test. Results: Resistance genes to carbapenems, sulfonamides, tetracyclines and mobile genetic elements were found at high relative abundance (>10(-4) gene copies/16S rRNA gene copies) in HWW. The abundance of resistance genes to extended-spectrum β-lactams, carbapenems, sulfonamides and glycopeptide significantly decreased, while tetracycline resistance genes abundance increased from 2014 to 2018. The abundance of ARGs was significantly different by country but not by season. ARGs could not be completely removed by on-site HWW treatments and the removal efficiency varies for different ARGs. Conclusions: HWW presents more types of ARGs, and their abundance is higher than those in most wastewater systems. HWW may be a reservoir of ARGs and play an important role in the dissemination of ARGs.202033194975
733270.9998Metagenomic Survey Reveals More Diverse and Abundant Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Municipal Wastewater Than Hospital Wastewater. Alongside antibiotic resistance, co-selection of antibiotics, biocides, and metal resistance is a growing concern. While hospital wastewater is considered a hotspot for antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and genes (ARGs), the scenario in India, one of the biggest consumers of antibiotics, remains poorly described. In this study, we used metagenomic sequencing to characterize ARGs and biocide/metal resistance genes (BMRGs) in four wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Jaipur City of India. We observed a significantly lower richness and abundance of ARGs in the influent of a WWTP exclusively receiving hospital wastewater when compared to other three WWTPs involving municipal wastewater treatment. Several tetracycline and macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin resistance genes were enriched in influents of these three municipal wastewater-related treatment plants, whereas hospital wastewater had a higher abundance of genes conferring resistance to disinfectant-related compounds such as synergize and wex-cide-128, reflecting the patterns of antibiotic/disinfectant use. Of note, in the wastewater system with more chemicals, there was a strong correlation between the numbers of ARGs and BMRGs potentially harbored by common hosts. Our study highlights significant influxes of ARGs from non-hospital sources in Jaipur City, and thus more attention should be paid on the emergence of ARGs in general communities.202134526976
317680.9998Comprehensive 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
318790.9998Metagenomic Analysis of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Untreated Wastewater From Three Different Hospitals. Controlling antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) is a worldwide intervention to ensure global health. Hospital wastewater is the main pollution source of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and ARGs in the environment. Expanding our knowledge on the bacterial composition of hospital wastewater could help us to control infections in hospitals and decrease pathogen release into the environment. In this study, a high-throughput sequencing-based metagenomic approach was applied to investigate the community composition of bacteria and ARGs in untreated wastewater from three different types of hospitals [the general hospital, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) hospital, and stomatology hospital]. In total, 130 phyla and 2,554 genera were identified from the microbiota of the wastewaters, with significantly different bacterial community compositions among the three hospitals. Total ARG analysis using the Antibiotic Resistance Genes Database (ARDB) and Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database (CARD) revealed that the microbiota in the wastewaters from the three hospitals harbored different types and percentage of ARGs, and their composition was specific to the hospital type based on the correlation analysis between species and ARG abundance, some ARGs contributed to different bacterial genera with various relationships in different hospitals. In summary, our findings demonstrated a widespread occurrence of ARGs and ARG-harboring microbiota in untreated wastewaters of different hospitals, suggesting that protection measures should be applied to prevent human infections. Concurrently, hospital wastewater should be treated more specifically for the removal of pathogens before its discharge into the urban sewage system.202134504480
7283100.9998Comparative metagenomics reveals a diverse range of antimicrobial resistance genes in effluents entering a river catchment. The aquatic environment has been implicated as a reservoir for antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). In order to identify sources that are contributing to these gene reservoirs, it is crucial to assess effluents that are entering the aquatic environment. Here we describe a metagenomic assessment for two types of effluent entering a river catchment. We investigated the diversity and abundance of resistance genes, mobile genetic elements (MGEs) and pathogenic bacteria. Findings were normalised to a background sample of river source water. Our results show that effluent contributed an array of genes to the river catchment, the most abundant being tetracycline resistance genes tetC and tetW from farm effluents and the sulfonamide resistance gene sul2 from wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents. In nine separate samples taken across 3 years, we found 53 different genes conferring resistance to seven classes of antimicrobial. Compared to the background sample taken up river from effluent entry, the average abundance of genes was three times greater in the farm effluent and two times greater in the WWTP effluent. We conclude that effluents disperse ARGs, MGEs and pathogenic bacteria within a river catchment, thereby contributing to environmental reservoirs of ARGs.201627054725
6870110.9998Antibiotic resistome in landfill leachate and impact on groundwater. Landfill leachate is a hotspot in antibiotic resistance development. However, little is known about antibiotic resistome and host pathogens in leachate and their effects on surrounding groundwater. Here, metagenomic sequencing was used to explore profiles, host bacteria, environmental risks and influencing factors of antibiotic resistome in raw and treated leachate and surrounding groundwater of three landfills. Results showed detection of a total of 324 antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). The ARGs conferring resistance to multidrug (8.8 %-25.7 %), aminoglycoside (13.1 %-39.2 %), sulfonamide (10.0 %-20.9 %), tetracycline (5.7 %-34.4 %) and macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin (MLS, 5.3 %-29.5 %) were dominant in raw leachate, while multidrug resistance genes were the major ARGs in treated leachate (64.1 %-83.0 %) and groundwater (28.7 %-76.6 %). Source tracking analysis suggests non-negligible influence of leachate on the ARGs in groundwater. The pathogens including Acinetobacter pittii, Pseudomonas stutzeri and P. alcaligenes were the major ARG-carrying hosts. Variance partitioning analysis indicates that the microbial community, abiotic variables and their interaction contributed most to the antibiotic resistance development. Our results shed light on the dissemination and driving mechanisms of ARGs from leachate to the groundwater, indicating that a comprehensive risk assessment and efficient treatment approaches are needed to deal with ARGs in landfill leachate and nearby groundwater. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS: Antibiotic resistance genes are found abundant in the landfill sites, and these genes could be disseminated into groundwater via leaching of wastewater and infiltration of leachate. This results in deterioration of groundwater quality and human health risks posed by these ARGs and related pathogens. Thus measures should be taken to minimize potential negative impacts of landfills on the surrounding environment.202438547976
3097120.9998Investigation of the Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistance Genes According to the Wastewater Treatment Scale Using Metagenomic Analysis. Although extensive efforts have been made to investigate the dynamics of the occurrence and abundance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), understanding the acquisition of antibiotic resistance based on the WWTP scale and the potential effects on WWTPs is of relatively less interest. In this study, metagenomic analysis was carried out to investigate whether the WWTP scale could be affected by the prevalence and persistence of ARGs and mobile genetic elements (MGEs). As a result, 152 ARG subtypes were identified in small-scale WWTP samples, while 234 ARG subtypes were identified in large-scale WWTP samples. Among the detectable ARGs, multidrug, MLS (macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin), sulfonamide, and tetracycline resistance genes had the highest abundance, and large and small WWTPs had similar composition characteristics of ARGs. In MGE analysis, plasmids and integrons were 1.5-2.0-fold more abundant in large-scale WWTPs than in small-scale WWTPs. The profile of bacteria at the phylum level showed that Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were the most dominant bacteria, representing approximately 70% across large- and small-scale WWTPs. Overall, the results of this study elucidate the different abundances and dissemination of ARGs between large- and small-scale WWTPs, which facilitates the development of next-generation engineered wastewater treatment systems.202133671905
7330130.9998Deterministic assembly process dominates bacterial antibiotic resistome in wastewater effluents receiving river. Antibiotic resistance has become a concerning global health challenge, such as the dissemination of bacteria and genes between humans and the environments. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) effluents, as significant reservoirs for antimicrobial resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), pose critical risks to public health. However, whether wastewater effluent prominently contributes to the abundance of ARGs and their community assembly processes in receiving river has yet been unclear. Here we investigated the effects of the effluent discharge on the ARGs and their associate microbial community in the receiving river (Qinhuai River, Nanjing) of upstream and 2000 m downstream of one WWTPs discharge point. Results revealed that the total antibiotic concentrations of all sediment samples ranged from 37.86 to 76.11 µg/kg dw, while antibiotic concentrations and ARG abundances in the river near the wastewater discharge site were significantly higher than that of the downstream receiving river. The metagenomic assembly obtained 245 ARGs associated with 19 antibiotic types in the receiving river. Network analyses confirmed that Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Acidobacteria, and Bacteroides were the key phylum and positively correlated with the antibiotic resistome. Additionally, the bacterial pathogens of the receiving river were identified as the most frequent strains of clinically relevant antibacterial resistance, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii. Using null modeling analysis to determine the quantification of ecological processes, the results showed that heterogeneous environmental selection (81.81%) was a dominate role of the ecological mechanisms determining the ARG community reconstruction in the receiving river. Our results may contribute to control the environmental dissemination of antimicrobial resistance risks in aquatic environments.202235864403
7284140.9998Does human activity impact the natural antibiotic resistance background? Abundance of antibiotic resistance genes in 21 Swiss lakes. Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are emerging environmental contaminants, known to be continuously discharged into the aquatic environment via human and animal waste. Freshwater aquatic environments represent potential reservoirs for ARG and potentially allow sewage-derived ARG to persist and spread in the environment. This may create increased opportunities for an eventual contact with, and gene transfer to, human and animal pathogens via the food chain or drinking water. However, assessment of this risk requires a better understanding of the level and variability of the natural resistance background and the extent of the human impact. We have analyzed water samples from 21 Swiss lakes, taken at sampling points that were not under the direct influence of local contamination sources and analyzed the relative abundance of ARG using quantitative real-time PCR. Copy numbers of genes mediating resistance to three different broad-spectrum antibiotic classes (sulfonamides: sul1, sul2, tetracyclines: tet(B), tet(M), tet(W) and fluoroquinolones: qnrA) were normalized to copy numbers of bacterial 16S rRNA genes. We used multiple linear regression to assess if ARG abundance is related to human activities in the catchment, microbial community composition and the eutrophication status of the lakes. Sul genes were detected in all sampled lakes, whereas only four lakes contained quantifiable numbers of tet genes, and qnrA remained below detection in all lakes. Our data indicate higher abundance of sul1 in lakes with increasing number and capacity of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the catchment. sul2 abundance was rather related to long water residence times and eutrophication status. Our study demonstrates the potential of freshwater lakes to preserve antibiotic resistance genes, and provides a reference for ARG abundance from lake systems with low human impact as a baseline for assessing ARG contamination in lake water.201525913323
7290150.9998Study of indiscriminate distribution of restrained antimicrobial resistome of different environmental niches. Prophylactic usage and high persistent nature of several antibiotics have put selective pressure on the native microbial population that led to the emergence, propagation, and persistence of antibiotic resistance in nature. The surveillance of antibiotic resistome pattern and identification of points of intervention throughout the different environmental habitats will help to break the flow of antibiotic resistance from environmental bacteria to human pathogens. The present study compares the occurrence, diversity, and abundance of ARGs in industrial sludge, wetland sludge, and sediment sample contaminated with pharmaceutical discharge. Metagenomes were mined for the presence of ARGs against the ResFinder 3.2 database using BLASTn program. Pharmaceutical sample (2.52%) showed high degree of ARG abundance and richness as compared with ETP sludge (2.28%) and wetland sludge samples (1.29%). The modern resistome pattern represented by critically important resistance genes against tetracycline (tetA, tetC, tetW, tetT, and tetS/M) and quinolone (qnrS, qnrVC, and qnrD) was identified in pharmaceutical sediment sample. However, effluent treatment plant (ETP) sludge sample showed abundance of multidrug efflux pumps indicating the presence of primitive resistome profile. In conclusion, the indiscriminate distribution pattern of antibiotic resistance genes in three selected environmental sites suggests enrichment and distribution of environmental niche-driven resistance. The study also suggests effluent discharge site from pharmaceutical industries and ETPs as pivotal points of intervention for the mitigation of antibiotic resistance.202133099734
6878160.9998Reduction in antimicrobial resistance in a watershed after closure of livestock farms. Natural environments play a crucial role in transmission of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Development of methods to manage antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in natural environments are usually limited to the laboratory or field scale, partially due to the complex dynamics of transmission between different environmental compartments. Here, we conducted a nine-year longitudinal profiling of ARGs at a watershed scale, and provide evidence that restrictions on livestock farms near water bodies significantly reduced riverine ARG abundance. Substantial reductions were revealed in the relative abundance of genes conferring resistance to aminoglycosides (42%), MLSB (36%), multidrug (55%), tetracyclines (53%), and other gene categories (59%). Additionally, improvements in water quality were observed, with distinct changes in concentrations of dissolved reactive phosphorus, ammonium, nitrite, pH, and dissolved oxygen. Antibiotic residues and other pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) maintain at a similarly low level. Microbial source tracking demonstrates a significant decrease in swine fecal indicators, while human fecal pollution remains unchanged. These results suggest that the reduction in ARGs was due to a substantial reduction in input of antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes from animal excreta. Our findings highlight the watershed as a living laboratory for understanding the dynamics of AMR, and for evaluating the efficacy of environmental regulations, with implications for reducing environmental risks associated with AMR on a global scale.202438925006
3188170.9998Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on profiles of antibiotic-resistant genes and bacteria in hospital wastewater. The COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected healthcare worldwide and has led to the excessive use of disinfectants and antimicrobial agents. However, the impact of excessive disinfection measures and specific medication prescriptions on the development and dissemination of bacterial drug resistance during the pandemic remains unclear. This study investigated the influence of the pandemic on the composition of antibiotics, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and pathogenic communities in hospital wastewater using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and metagenome sequencing. The overall level of antibiotics decreased after the COVID-19 outbreak, whereas the abundance of various ARGs increased in hospital wastewater. After COVID-19 outbreak, bla(OXA), sul2, tetX, and qnrS had higher concentrations in winter than in summer. Seasonal factors and the COVID-19 pandemic have affected the microbial structure in wastewater, especially of Klebsiella, Escherichia, Aeromonas, and Acinetobacter. Further analysis revealed the co-existence of qnrS, bla(NDM), and bla(KPC) during the pandemic. Various ARGs significantly correlated with mobile genetic elements, implying their potential mobility. A network analysis revealed that many pathogenic bacteria (Klebsiella, Escherichia, and Vibrio) were correlated with ARGs, indicating the existence of multi-drug resistant pathogens. Although the calculated resistome risk score did not change significantly, our results suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic shifted the composition of residual antibiotics and ARGs in hospital wastewater and contributed to the dissemination of bacterial drug resistance.202337399936
7293180.9998Prevalence and transmission of antibiotic resistance and microbiota between humans and water environments. The transmission routes for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and microbiota between humans and water environments is poorly characterized. Here, we used high-throughput qPCR analyses and 16S rRNA gene sequencing to examine the occurrence and abundance of antibiotic resistance genes and microbiota in both healthy humans and associated water environments from a Chinese village. Humans carried the most diverse assemblage of ARGs, with 234 different ARGs being detected. The total abundance of ARGs in feces, on skin, and in the effluent from domestic sewage treatment systems were approximately 23, 2, and 7 times higher than their abundance in river samples. In total, 53 ARGs and 28 bacteria genera that were present in human feces could also be found in the influent and effluent of rural sewage treatment systems, and also downstream of the effluent release point. We identified the bacterial taxa that showed a significant association with ARGs (P < 0.01, r > 0.8) by network analysis, supporting the idea that these bacteria could carry some ARGs and transfer between humans and the environment. Analysis of ARGs and microbiota in humans and in water environments helps to define the transmission routes and dynamics of antibiotic resistance within these environments. This study highlights human contribution to the load of ARGs into the environment and suggests means to prevent such dissemination.201830420129
7292190.9998Class 1 integron and related antimicrobial resistance gene dynamics along a complex freshwater system affected by different anthropogenic pressures. The risk for human health posed by polluted aquatic environments, and especially those carrying antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) of clinical interest, is still debated. This is because of our limited knowledge of the dynamics of antimicrobial resistance in the environment, the selection mechanisms underlying the spread of ARGs, and the ecological factors potentially favoring their return to humans. The Class 1 integron is one of the most effective platforms for the dissemination of ARGs. In this study we investigated a freshwater system consisting of a lake-river-lake continuum, determining the abundance of class 1 integrons and their associated ARGs by a modulated metagenomic approach. Bacterial abundance and community composition were used to identify the potential carriers of class 1 integrons and their associated ARGs over a period of six months. Class 1 integrons and their ARG cargoes were significantly more abundant in riverine sampling sites receiving treated wastewater. Further, class 1 integrons carried ARGs ranked at the highest risk for human health (e.g., catB genes), in particular, genes encoding resistance to aminoglycosides. Genera of potential pathogens, such as Pseudomonas and Escherichia-Shigella, were correlated with class 1 integrons. The lake-river-lake system demonstrated a clear relationship between the integrase gene of class 1 integrons (intI1) and anthropogenic impact, but also a strong environmental filtering that favored the elimination of intI1 once the human derived stressors were reduced. Overall, the results of this study underline the role class 1 integrons as proxy of anthropogenic pollution and suggest this genetic platform as an important driver of aminoglycoside resistance genes, including high risk ARGs, of potential concern for human health.202336351483