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765500.9901Impact of manure fertilization on the abundance of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and frequency of detection of antibiotic resistance genes in soil and on vegetables at harvest. Consumption of vegetables represents a route of direct human exposure to bacteria found in soil. The present study evaluated the complement of bacteria resistant to various antibiotics on vegetables often eaten raw (tomato, cucumber, pepper, carrot, radish, lettuce) and how this might vary with growth in soil fertilized inorganically or with dairy or swine manure. Vegetables were sown into field plots immediately following fertilization and harvested when of marketable quality. Vegetable and soil samples were evaluated for viable antibiotic-resistant bacteria by plate count on Chromocult medium supplemented with antibiotics at clinical breakpoint concentrations. DNA was extracted from soil and vegetables and evaluated by PCR for the presence of 46 gene targets associated with plasmid incompatibility groups, integrons, or antibiotic resistance genes. Soil receiving manure was enriched in antibiotic-resistant bacteria and various antibiotic resistance determinants. There was no coherent corresponding increase in the abundance of antibiotic-resistant bacteria enumerated from any vegetable grown in manure-fertilized soil. Numerous antibiotic resistance determinants were detected in DNA extracted from vegetables grown in unmanured soil. A smaller number of determinants were additionally detected on vegetables grown only in manured and not in unmanured soil. Overall, consumption of raw vegetables represents a route of human exposure to antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance determinants naturally present in soil. However, the detection of some determinants on vegetables grown only in freshly manured soil reinforces the advisability of pretreating manure through composting or other stabilization processes or mandating offset times between manuring and harvesting vegetables for human consumption.201323851089
765210.9901Safely coupling livestock and crop production systems: how rapidly do antibiotic resistance genes dissipate in soil following a commercial application of swine or dairy manure? Animal manures recycled onto crop production land carry antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The present study evaluated the fate in soil of selected genes associated with antibiotic resistance or genetic mobility in field plots cropped to vegetables and managed according to normal farming practice. Referenced to unmanured soil, fertilization with swine or dairy manure increased the relative abundance of the gene targets sul1, erm(B), str(B), int1, and IncW repA. Following manure application in the spring of 2012, gene copy number decayed exponentially, reaching background levels by the fall of 2012. In contrast, gene copy number following manure application in the fall of 2012 or spring of 2013 increased significantly in the weeks following application and then declined. In both cases, the relative abundance of gene copy numbers had not returned to background levels by the fall of 2013. Overall, these results suggest that under conditions characteristic of agriculture in a humid continental climate, a 1-year period following a commercial application of raw manure is sufficient to ensure that an additional soil burden of antibiotic resistance genes approaches background. The relative abundance of several gene targets exceeded background during the growing season following a spring application or an application done the previous fall. Results from the present study reinforce the advisability of treating manure prior to use in crop production systems.201424632259
706320.9900Impact of dairy manure pre-application treatment on manure composition, soil dynamics of antibiotic resistance genes, and abundance of antibiotic-resistance genes on vegetables at harvest. Manuring ground used for crop production is an important agricultural practice. Should antibiotic-resistant enteric bacteria carried in the manure be transferred to crops that are consumed raw, their consumption by humans or animals will represent a route of exposure to antibiotic resistance genes. Treatment of manures prior to land application is a potential management option to reduce the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes entrained with manure application. In this study, dairy manure that was untreated, anaerobically digested, mechanically dewatered or composted was applied to field plots that were then cropped to lettuce, carrots and radishes. The impact of treatment on manure composition, persistence of antibiotic resistance gene targets in soil following application, and distribution of antibiotic resistance genes and bacteria on vegetables at harvest was determined. Composted manure had the lowest abundance of antibiotic resistance gene targets compared to the other manures. There was no significant difference in the persistence characteristics of antibiotic resistance genes following land application of the various manures. Compared to unmanured soil, antibiotic resistance genes were detected more frequently in soil receiving raw or digested manure, whereas they were not in soil receiving composted manure. The present study suggests that vegetables grown in ground receiving raw or digested manure are at risk of contamination with manure-borne antibiotic resistant bacteria, whereas vegetables grown in ground receiving composted manure are less so.201728076772
765030.9899Contamination of hay and haylage with enteric bacteria and selected antibiotic resistance genes following fertilization with dairy manure or biosolids. The present study evaluated if enteric bacteria or antibiotic resistance genes carried in fecal amendments contaminate the hay at harvest, representing a potential route of exposure to ruminants that consume the hay. In the field experiments, dairy manure was applied to a hay field for three successive growing seasons, and biosolids were applied to a hay field for one growing season. Various enteric bacteria in the amendments were enumerated by viable plate count, and selected gene targets were quantified by qPCR. Key findings include the following: at harvest, hay receiving dairy manure or biosolids did not carry more viable enteric bacteria than hay from unamended control plots. The fermentation of hay did not result in a detectable increase in viable enteric bacteria. The application of dairy manure or biosolids resulted in a few gene targets being more abundant in hay during the first harvest. Fermentation of hay resulted in an increase in the abundance of gene targets, but this occurred with hay from both the amended and control plots. Overall, the application of fecal amendments resulted in an increase in the abundance of some gene targets associated with antibiotic resistance in the first cut hay.202235020524
706440.9899Characterizing the soil microbiome and quantifying antibiotic resistance gene dynamics in agricultural soil following swine CAFO manure application. As agriculture industrializes, concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) are becoming more common. Feces from CAFOs is often used as fertilizer on fields. However, little is known about the effects manure has on the soil microbiome, which is an important aspect of soil health and fertility. In addition, due to the subtherapeutic levels of antibiotics necessary to keep the animals healthy, CAFO manure has elevated levels of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Using 16s rRNA high-throughput sequencing and qPCR, this study sought to determine the impact of swine CAFO manure application on both the soil microbiome and abundance of select antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and mobile element genes (erm(B), erm(C), sul1, str(B), intI1, IncW repA) in agricultural soil over the fall and spring seasons. We found the manure community to be distinct from the soil community, with a majority of bacteria belonging to Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. The soil samples had more diverse communities dominated by Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, and unclassified bacteria. We observed significant differences in the soil microbiome between all time points, except between the spring samples. However, by tracking manure associated taxa, we found the addition of the manure microbiome to be a minor driver of the shift. Of the measured genes, manure application only significantly increased the abundance of erm(B) and erm(C) which remained elevated in the spring. These results suggest bacteria in the manure do not survive well in soil and that ARG dynamics in soil following manure application vary by resistance gene.201931425534
765450.9899Impact of fertilizing with raw or anaerobically digested sewage sludge on the abundance of antibiotic-resistant coliforms, antibiotic resistance genes, and pathogenic bacteria in soil and on vegetables at harvest. The consumption of crops fertilized with human waste represents a potential route of exposure to antibiotic-resistant fecal bacteria. The present study evaluated the abundance of bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes by using both culture-dependent and molecular methods. Various vegetables (lettuce, carrots, radish, and tomatoes) were sown into field plots fertilized inorganically or with class B biosolids or untreated municipal sewage sludge and harvested when of marketable quality. Analysis of viable pathogenic bacteria or antibiotic-resistant coliform bacteria by plate counts did not reveal significant treatment effects of fertilization with class B biosolids or untreated sewage sludge on the vegetables. Numerous targeted genes associated with antibiotic resistance and mobile genetic elements were detected by PCR in soil and on vegetables at harvest from plots that received no organic amendment. However, in the season of application, vegetables harvested from plots treated with either material carried gene targets not detected in the absence of amendment. Several gene targets evaluated by using quantitative PCR (qPCR) were considerably more abundant on vegetables harvested from sewage sludge-treated plots than on vegetables from control plots in the season of application, whereas vegetables harvested the following year revealed no treatment effect. Overall, the results of the present study suggest that producing vegetable crops in ground fertilized with human waste without appropriate delay or pretreatment will result in an additional burden of antibiotic resistance genes on harvested crops. Managing human exposure to antibiotic resistance genes carried in human waste must be undertaken through judicious agricultural practice.201425172864
764860.9898Bacterial Associations Across House Fly Life History: Evidence for Transstadial Carriage From Managed Manure. House flies (Diptera: Muscidae; Musca domestica L.) associate with microbe-rich substrates throughout life history. Because larvae utilize bacteria as a food source, most taxa present in the larval substrate, e.g., manure, are digested or degraded. However, some species survive and are present as third-instar larvae begin pupation. During metamorphosis, many bacteria are again lost during histolysis of the larval gut and subsequent remodeling to produce the gut of the imago. It has been previously demonstrated that some bacterial species survive metamorphosis, being left behind in the puparium, present on the body surface, or in the gut of the emerged adult. We used a combined culture-molecular approach to identify viable microbes from managed manure residue and a wild population of house fly larvae, pupae, puparia, and adults to assess transstadial carriage. All larval (10/10), pupal (10/10), and puparial (10/10) cultures were positive for bacteria. Several bacterial species that were present in larvae also were present either in pupae or puparia. Four viable bacterial species were detectable in 6 of 10 imagoes reared from manure. Of note is the apparent transstadial carriage of Bacillus sonorensis, which has been associated with milk spoilage at dairies, and Alcaligenes faecalis, which can harbor numerous antibiotic resistance genes on farms. The potential of newly emerged flies to harbor and disseminate bacteria from managed manure on farms is an understudied risk that deserves further evaluation.201626798138
706270.9898Impact of chicken litter pre-application treatment on the abundance, field persistence, and transfer of antibiotic resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes to vegetables. Treatment of manures prior to land application can potentially reduce the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes and thus the risk of contaminating crops or water resources. In this study, raw and composted chicken litter were applied to field plots that were cropped to carrots, lettuce and radishes. Vegetables were washed per normal culinary practice before downstream analysis. The impact of composting on manure microbial composition, persistence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in soil following application, and distribution of antibiotic resistance genes and bacteria on washed vegetables were determined. A subset of samples that were thought likely to reveal the most significant effects were chosen for shotgun sequencing. The absolute abundance of all target genes detected by qPCR decreased after composting except sul1, intI1, incW and erm(F) that remained stable. The shotgun sequencing revealed that some integron integrases were enriched by composting. Composting significantly reduced the abundance of enteric bacteria, including those carrying antibiotic resistance. Manure-amended soil showed significantly higher abundances of sul1, str(A), str(B), erm(B), aad(A), intI1 and incW compared to unmanured soil. At harvest, those genes that were detected in soil samples before the application of manure (intI1, sul1, strA and strB) were quantifiable by qPCR on vegetables, with a larger number of gene targets detected on the radishes than in the carrots or lettuce. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing suggested that the increase of antibiotic resistance genes on radishes produced in soil receiving raw manure may be due to changes to soil microbial communities following manure application, rather than transfer to the radishes of enteric bacteria. Overall, under field conditions there was limited evidence for transfer of antibiotic resistance genes from composted or raw manure to vegetables that then persisted through washing.202134425441
765380.9898The impact of municipal sewage sludge stabilization processes on the abundance, field persistence, and transmission of antibiotic resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes to vegetables at harvest. Biosolids were obtained from four Ontario municipalities that vary in how the sewage sludge is treated. These included a Class B biosolids that was anaerobically digested, a Class A biosolids that were heat treated and pelletized (Propell), and two Class A biosolids that were stabilized using either the N-Viro (N-Rich) or Lystek (LysteGro) processes. Viable enteric indicator or pathogenic bacteria in the biosolids were enumerated by plate count, gene targets associated with antibiotic resistance or horizontal gene transfer were detected by PCR, and a subset of these gene targets were quantified by qPCR. Following application at commercial rates to field plots, the persistence of enteric bacteria and gene targets in soil was followed during the growing season. Carrots, radishes and lettuce were sown into the amended and unamended control plots, and the diversity and abundance of gene targets they carried at harvest determined. All three Class A biosolids carried fewer and less abundant antibiotic resistance genes than did the Class B biosolids, in particular the very alkaline N-Viro product (N-Rich). Following application, some gene targets (e.g. int1, sul1, strA/B, aadA) that are typically associated with mobile gene cassettes remained detectable throughout the growing season, whereas others (e.g. ermB, ermF, bla(OXA20)) that are not associated with cassettes became undetectable within three weeks or less. At harvest a larger number of gene targets were detected on the carrots and radishes than in the lettuce. Overall, land application of Class A biosolids will entrain fewer viable bacteria and genes associated with antibiotic resistance into crop ground than will amendment with Class B biosolids.201930316087
707390.9897Fecal Indicator Bacteria and Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Storm Runoff from Dairy Manure and Compost-Amended Vegetable Plots. Given the presence of antibiotics and resistant bacteria in livestock manures, it is important to identify the key pathways by which land-applied manure-derived soil amendments potentially spread resistance. The goal of this field-scale study was to identify the effects of different types of soil amendments (raw manure from cows treated with cephapirin and pirlimycin, compost from antibiotic-treated or antibiotic-free cows, or chemical fertilizer only) and crop type (lettuce [ L.] or radish [ L.]) on the transport of two antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs; 1 and ) via storm runoff from six naturally occurring storms. Concurrent quantification of sediment and fecal indicator bacteria (FIB; and enterococci) in runoff permitted comparison to traditional agricultural water quality targets that may be driving factors of ARG presence. Storm characteristics (total rainfall volume, storm duration, etc.) significantly influenced FIB concentration (two-way ANOVA, < 0.05), although both effects from individual storm events (Kruskal-Wallis, < 0.05) and vegetative cover influenced sediment levels. Composted and raw manure-amended plots both yielded significantly higher 1 and B levels in runoff for early storms, at least 8 wk following initial planting, relative to fertilizer-only or unamended barren plots. There was no significant difference between 1 or B levels in runoff from plots treated with compost derived from antibiotic-treated versus antibiotic-free dairy cattle. Our findings indicate that agricultural fields receiving manure-derived amendments release higher quantities of these two "indicator" ARGs in runoff, particularly during the early stages of the growing season, and that composting did not reduce effects of ARG loading in runoff.201931589689
7058100.9897Does organically produced lettuce harbor higher abundance of antibiotic resistance genes than conventionally produced? The demand for organic food products, especially for organic vegetables has been growing rapidly in the last few decades. However, the risk of introducing more antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) and antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) to the vegetables by organic production procedures has long been overlooked. In our study, by using high-throughput quantitative PCR and 16sRNA Illumina sequencing technology, we investigated the abundance and diversity of ARGs and the microbial communities in conventionally (CPL) and organically produced lettuce (OPL). A total of 134 ARGs were detected in the phyllosphere and leaf endophyte of the samples. Absolute copy numbers of ARGs in phyllosphere were 8-fold higher in the OPL than in CPL. We also observed a significant difference in the microbial communities between OPL and CPL, and a lower diversity of both phyllosphere and leaf endophytic bacteria in OPL than in CPL. The Mantel test and variation partitioning analysis (VPA) suggested that the profile of ARGs is strongly affected by bacterial community compositions. Network analysis between ARGs and bacterial taxa indicated that eight bacterial families were implicated to be the potential hosts of ARGs. These results provide insights into the impacts of organic farming on the profiles of bacterial and ARG compositions in vegetables.201727823798
7128110.9896Composting of chicken litter from commercial broiler farms reduces the abundance of viable enteric bacteria, Firmicutes, and selected antibiotic resistance genes. We examined the ability of composting to remove ARGs and enteric bacteria in litter obtained from broiler chickens fed with a diet supplemented with Bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BDM) (conventional chicken litter), or an antibiotic-free diet (raised without antibiotic (RWA) chicken litter). This was done by evaluating the litter before and after composting for the abundance of ten gene targets associated with antibiotic resistance or horizontal gene transfer, the composition of the bacterial communities, and the abundance of viable enteric bacteria. The abundance of gene targets was determined by qPCR and the microbial community composition of chicken litter determined by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Enteric bacteria were enumerated by viable plate count. A majority of the gene targets were more abundant in conventional than in RWA litter. In both litter types, the absolute abundance of all of the target genes decreased after composting except sul1, intI1, incW and erm(F) that remained stable. Composting significantly reduced the abundance of enteric bacteria, including those carrying antibiotic resistance. The major difference in bacterial community composition between conventional and RWA litter was due to members affiliated to the genus Pseudomonas, which were 28% more abundant in conventional than in RWA litter. Composting favoured the presence of thermophilic bacteria, such as those affiliated with the genus Truepera, but decreased the abundance of those bacterial genera associated with cold-adapted species, such as Carnobacterium, Psychrobacter and Oceanisphaera. The present study shows that chicken litter from broilers fed with a diet supplemented with antibiotic has an increased abundance of some ARGs, even after composting. However, we can conclude that fertilization with composted litter represents a reduced risk of transmission of antibiotic resistance genes and enteric bacteria of poultry origin to soil and crops than will fertilization with raw litter.202032768779
3540120.9895Microbial contents of vacuum cleaner bag dust and emitted bioaerosols and their implications for human exposure indoors. Vacuum cleaners can release large concentrations of particles, both in their exhaust air and from resuspension of settled dust. However, the size, variability, and microbial diversity of these emissions are unknown, despite evidence to suggest they may contribute to allergic responses and infection transmission indoors. This study aimed to evaluate bioaerosol emission from various vacuum cleaners. We sampled the air in an experimental flow tunnel where vacuum cleaners were run, and their airborne emissions were sampled with closed-face cassettes. Dust samples were also collected from the dust bag. Total bacteria, total archaea, Penicillium/Aspergillus, and total Clostridium cluster 1 were quantified with specific quantitative PCR protocols, and emission rates were calculated. Clostridium botulinum and antibiotic resistance genes were detected in each sample using endpoint PCR. Bacterial diversity was also analyzed using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), image analysis, and band sequencing. We demonstrated that emission of bacteria and molds (Penicillium/Aspergillus) can reach values as high as 1E5 cell equivalents/min and that those emissions are not related to each other. The bag dust bacterial and mold content was also consistent across the vacuums we assessed, reaching up to 1E7 bacterial or mold cell equivalents/g. Antibiotic resistance genes were detected in several samples. No archaea or C. botulinum was detected in any air samples. Diversity analyses showed that most bacteria are from human sources, in keeping with other recent results. These results highlight the potential capability of vacuum cleaners to disseminate appreciable quantities of molds and human-associated bacteria indoors and their role as a source of exposure to bioaerosols.201323934489
7688130.9895The microbiome of uncontacted Amerindians. Most studies of the human microbiome have focused on westernized people with life-style practices that decrease microbial survival and transmission, or on traditional societies that are currently in transition to westernization. We characterize the fecal, oral, and skin bacterial microbiome and resistome of members of an isolated Yanomami Amerindian village with no documented previous contact with Western people. These Yanomami harbor a microbiome with the highest diversity of bacteria and genetic functions ever reported in a human group. Despite their isolation, presumably for >11,000 years since their ancestors arrived in South America, and no known exposure to antibiotics, they harbor bacteria that carry functional antibiotic resistance (AR) genes, including those that confer resistance to synthetic antibiotics and are syntenic with mobilization elements. These results suggest that westernization significantly affects human microbiome diversity and that functional AR genes appear to be a feature of the human microbiome even in the absence of exposure to commercial antibiotics. AR genes are likely poised for mobilization and enrichment upon exposure to pharmacological levels of antibiotics. Our findings emphasize the need for extensive characterization of the function of the microbiome and resistome in remote nonwesternized populations before globalization of modern practices affects potentially beneficial bacteria harbored in the human body.201526229982
7220140.9894Occurrence and Drivers of Antibiotic Resistance Genes Carried by Bacteriophages in Soils Following Different Fertilization Treatments. Fertilization has an important effect on soil antibiotic resistance. Most recent studies have focused on antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) harbored by bacteria (bARGs); however, little is known about ARGs carried by soil bacteriophages (pARGs) under different fertilization treatments. Here, 24 pARG subtypes were quantified in soils with long-term application of different fertilizers using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). The results showed that the detection rates of the target ARGs in bacteriophages were 66.67%, 70.83%, and 75.00% in unfertilized, chemically fertilized, and organically fertilized soils, respectively. The total abundance of pARGs in soils amended with organic fertilizer was significantly higher than that in unfertilized and chemically fertilized soils. The multidrug resistance gene (mexF) exhibited the highest abundance in soils amended with organic fertilizer. A significant positive correlation was observed between bARGs and pARGs, and the detected pARG subtype abundances were one to two orders of magnitude lower than those of the corresponding bARGs. The results of variation partitioning analysis revealed that the interaction between the bacterial community and soil properties drove the variation in soil pARGs. Our findings indicate that bacteriophages are important vectors of ARGs, in addition to bacteria, in agricultural soils, and their contribution to antibiotic resistance should not be overlooked.202540559968
7111150.9894Occurrence and diversity of tetracycline resistance genes in the agricultural soils of South Korea. Reports on the occurrence and diversity of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes, which are considered to be emerging pollutants worldwide, have, to date, not been published on South Korean agricultural soils. This is the first study to investigate the persistence of tetracycline (oxytetracycline, tetracycline, and chlortetracycline)-resistant bacterial community and genes in natural and long-term fertilized (NPK, pig, and cattle manure composts) agricultural soils in South Korea. The results showed that oxytetracycline and chlortetracycline could be the dominant residues in animal manures; regular fertilization of manures, particularly pig manures, may be the prime cause for the spread and abundance of tetracycline resistance in South Korean agricultural soils. Both the country's natural and agricultural soils are reservoirs of antibiotic-resistant species. Of the 113 tetracycline-resistant isolates identified (19 typical bacterial genera and 36 distinct species), approximately 40 to 99 % belonged to Gram-positive bacteria and Bacillus constituted the predominant genera. Of the 24 tet genes targeted, tetG, tetH, tetK, tetY, tetO, tetS, tetW, and tetQ were detected in all soil samples, highlighting their predominance and robust adaptability in soils. Meanwhile, it is suggested that tetC, tetE, tetZ, tetM, tetT, and tetP(B) are the common residues in pig manures, and furthermore, the treatment of soils with pig manures may wield a different impact on the tet gene resistome in agricultural soils. This study thus highlights the necessity for regulating the usage of tetracyclines in South Korean animal farming. This must be followed by proper monitoring of the subsequent usage of animal manures especially that derived from pig farms located in agricultural soils.201627638788
3502160.9894Microbial dynamics in a swine wastewater treatment plant and prediction of potential hosts of antibiotic resistance genes. Using a culture-independent approach, this study aimed to evaluate microbial community changes in a swine wastewater treatment plant (SWWTP) and investigate the presence of bacteria for public health concerns, particularly those harboring antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) with pathogenic potential. Through sequencing of fifteen samples collected across five sampling campaigns - at the influent, biodigester outlet, and final effluent - higher microbial diversity was observed in the untreated waste, reflected by a greater relative abundance of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) linked to the families Streptococcaceae (up to 27 %), unidentified members of the order Clostridiales (up to 33 %), and Moraxellaceae (up to 19 %). A microbial succession was observed across subsequent treatment stages, characterized by an increased relative abundance of OTUs associated with Clostridiaceae (0-68 %) and Peptostreptococcaceae (8-25 %), likely driven by environmental conditions. Sequences related to the order Clostridiales and the family Moraxellaceae showed correlations with the resistance genes blaTEM, ermB, qnrB, sul1, and tetA, suggesting that members of these groups could serve as potential gene hosts. The detection of residual ARGs and OTUs related to potentially pathogenic genera such as Clostridium butyricum and Terrisporobacter glycolicus species in the treated effluent raises concerns about the final disposal of this waste, given the possibility of horizontal gene transfer in the environment.202541145054
7057170.9894Enrichment of antibiotic resistance genes in soil receiving composts derived from swine manure, yard wastes, or food wastes, and evidence for multiyear persistence of swine Clostridium spp. The impact of amendment with swine manure compost (SMC), yard waste compost (YWC), or food waste compost (FWC) on the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes in soil was evaluated. Following a commercial-scale application of the composts in a field experiment, soils were sampled periodically for a decade, and archived air-dried. Soil DNA was extracted and gene targets quantified by qPCR. Compared with untreated control soil, all 3 amendment types increased the abundance of gene targets for up to 4 years postapplication. The abundance of several gene targets was much higher in soil amended with SMC than in soil receiving either YWC or FWC. The gene target ermB remained higher in the SMC treatment for a decade postapplication. Clostridia were significantly more abundant in the SMC-amended soil throughout the decade following application. Eight percent of Clostridium spp. isolates from the SMC treatment carried ermB. Overall, addition of organic amendments to soils has the potential to increase the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes. Amendments of fecal origin, such as SMC, will in addition entrain bacteria carrying antibiotic resistance genes. Environmentally recalcitrant clostridia, and the antibiotic resistance genes that they carry, will persist for many years under field conditions following the application of SMC.201829342372
7079180.9894Comparison of airborne bacterial communities from a hog farm and spray field. Airborne bacteria from hog farms may have detrimental impacts on human health, particularly in terms of antibiotic resistance and pathogen zoonosis. Despite human health risks, very little is known about the composition and diversity of airborne bacteria from hog farms and hog-related spray fields. We used pyrosequencing analysis of 16S rRNA genes to compare airborne bacterial communities in a North Carolina hog farm and lagoon spray field. In addition, we isolated and identified antibiotic-resistant bacteria from both air samples. Based on 16S rRNA gene pyrosequence analysis, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria were the dominant phyla in airborne bacterial communities from both hog farm and spray field sites. Within the Firmicutes genera, Clostridium spp. were more abundant in the hog farm, whereas Staphylococcus spp. were higher in the spray field. The presence of opportunitic pathogens, including several Staphylococcus species and Propionibacterium acnes, was detected in both bioaerosol communities based on phylogenetic analysis. The isolation and identification of antibiotic-resistant bacteria from air samples also showed similar results with dominance of Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria in both hog farm and spray field air. Thus, the existence of opportunistic pathogens and antibiotic resistant bacteria in airborne communities evidences potential health risks to farmers and other residents from swine bioaerosol exposure.201525406533
6974190.9894Comparison of soil and grass microbiomes and resistomes reveals grass as a greater antimicrobial resistance reservoir than soil. Grasslands cover a large proportion of global agricultural landmass used to feed herbivores and ruminants and link the environment to the food chain via animals onto humans. However, most scientific studies of antimicrobial resistance and microbiomes at the environmental - animal nexus have focused on soil or vegetables rather than grasslands. Based on previous microbiome phyllosphere-soil studies we hypothesised that the microbiome and resistomes across soil and grass would have a core of shared taxa and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), but that in addition each would also have a minority of unique signatures. Our data indicated grass contained a wider variety and higher relative abundance of ARGs and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) than soil with or without slurry amendments. The microbiomes of soil and grass were similar in content but varied in the composition proportionality. While there were commonalities across many of the ARGs present in soil and on grass their correlations with MGEs and bacteria differed, suggesting a source other than soil is also relevant for the resistome of grass. The variations in the relative abundances of ARGs in soil and on grass also indicated that either the MGEs or the bacteria carrying the ARGs comprised a higher relative abundance on grass than in soil. We conclude that while soil may be a source of some of these genes it cannot be the source for all ARGs and MGEs. Our data identifies grass as a more diverse and abundant reservoir of ARGs and MGEs in the environment than soil, which is significant to human and animal health when viewed in the context of grazing food animals.202336191722