# | Rank | Similarity | Title + Abs. | Year | PMID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 8553 | 0 | 0.9865 | Unveiling the power of nanotechnology: a novel approach to eliminating antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes from municipal effluent. The increasing global population and declining freshwater resources have heightened the urgency of ensuring safe and accessible water supplies.Query The persistence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs) in municipal effluents poses a significant public health threat, exacerbated by the widespread use of antibiotics and the inadequate removal of contaminants in wastewater treatment facilities. Conventional treatment methods often fail to eliminate these emerging pollutants, facilitating their entry into agricultural systems and natural water bodies, thereby accelerating the spread of antimicrobial resistance. To address these challenges, interdisciplinary strategies in water treatment are essential. Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising approach due to its unique physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, and high efficiency in detecting and removing biological and chemical contaminants. Various nanomaterials, including graphene-based structures, Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), noble metal nanoparticles (gold (Au) and silver (Ag)), silicon and chitosan-based nanomaterials, as well as titanium and Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanomaterials, demonstrate potent antimicrobial effects. Moreover, nanosensors and photocatalysts utilizing these nanomaterials enable precise detection and effective degradation of ARB and ARGs in wastewater. This review examines the mechanisms by which nanotechnology-based materials can mitigate the risks associated with antibiotic resistance in urban effluents, focusing on their applications in pathogen detection, pollutant removal, and wastewater treatment. By integrating nanotechnology into existing treatment frameworks, we can significantly enhance the efficiency of water purification processes, ultimately contributing to global water security and the protection of public health. | 2025 | 40512401 |
| 6397 | 1 | 0.9861 | Microplastics and antibiotic resistance genes as rising threats: Their interaction represents an urgent environmental concern. Microplastics (MPs) have been reported to be emerging contaminant of different environmental niches like air, soil, and water. When exposed to these environments, MPs interact with already existing antibiotics to create combined pollution that can harm organisms. MPs have garnered significant attention in academic circles due to their ability to adsorb antibiotics. This review article explores different dimensions of MPs, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and the interplay between MPs, antibiotics, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB), emphasizing their interconnection with soil and water pollution. It also summarizes the mechanisms behind the interaction between antibiotics and MPs, detailing various physical and chemical interactions. Additionally, it outlines the pathways through which MPs and ARGs complexes spread, offering insights for future research and solutions to tackle compound pollution. The article concludes by providing targeted strategies to mitigate the environmental and public health risks posed by MP-associated ARG transmission, highlighting the need for integrated pollution control, advanced monitoring techniques, and stricter regulatory policies. | 2025 | 40756460 |
| 6506 | 2 | 0.9861 | Mitigating antimicrobial resistance through effective hospital wastewater management in low- and middle-income countries. Hospital wastewater (HWW) is a significant environmental and public health threat, containing high levels of pollutants such as antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB), antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs), antibiotics, disinfectants, and heavy metals. This threat is of particular concern in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where untreated effluents are often used for irrigating vegetables crops, leading to direct and indirect human exposure. Despite being a potential hotspot for the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), existing HWW treatment systems in LMICs primarily target conventional pollutants and lack effective standards for monitoring the removal of ARB and ARGs. Consequently, untreated or inadequately treated HWW continues to disseminate ARB and ARGs, exacerbating the risk of AMR proliferation. Addressing this requires targeted interventions, including cost-effective treatment solutions, robust AMR monitoring protocols, and policy-driven strategies tailored to LMICs. This perspective calls for a paradigm shift in HWW management in LMIC, emphasizing the broader implementation of onsite treatment systems, which are currently rare. Key recommendations include developing affordable and contextually adaptable technologies for eliminating ARB and ARGs and enforcing local regulations for AMR monitoring and control in wastewater. Addressing these challenges is essential for protecting public health, preventing the environmental spread of resistance, and contributing to a global effort to preserve the efficacy of antibiotics. Recommendations include integrating scalable onsite technologies, leveraging local knowledge, and implementing comprehensive AMR-focused regulatory frameworks. | 2024 | 39944563 |
| 8554 | 3 | 0.9861 | Nanomaterial-Enhanced Hybrid Disinfection: A Solution to Combat Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria and Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Wastewater. This review explores the potential of nanomaterial-enhanced hybrid disinfection methods as effective strategies for addressing the growing challenge of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in wastewater treatment. By integrating hybrid nanocomposites and nanomaterials, natural biocides such as terpenes, and ultrasonication, this approach significantly enhances disinfection efficiency compared to conventional methods. The review highlights the mechanisms through which hybrid nanocomposites and nanomaterials generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) under blue LED irradiation, effectively disrupting MDR bacteria while improving the efficacy of natural biocides through synergistic interactions. Additionally, the review examines critical operational parameters-such as light intensity, catalyst dosage, and ultrasonication power-that optimize treatment outcomes and ensure the reusability of hybrid nanocomposites and other nanomaterials without significant loss of photocatalytic activity. Furthermore, this hybrid method shows promise in degrading ARGs, thereby addressing both microbial and genetic pollution. Overall, this review underscores the need for innovative wastewater treatment solutions that are efficient, sustainable, and scalable, contributing to the global fight against antimicrobial resistance. | 2024 | 39591087 |
| 8555 | 4 | 0.9859 | Combating Antibiotic Resistance in Persulfate-Based Advanced Oxidation Processes: Activation Methods and Energy Consumption. Antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) have become increasing concerning issues, threatening human health. Persulfate-based advanced oxidation processes (PS-AOPs), due to their remarkable potential in combating antibiotic resistance, have garnered significant attention in the field of disinfection in recent years. In this review, we systematically evaluated the efficacy and underlying mechanism of PS integration with various activation methods for the elimination of ARB/ARGs. These approaches encompass physical methods, catalyst activation, and hybrid techniques with photocatalysis, ozonation, and electrochemistry. Additionally, we employed Chick's model and electrical energy per log order (EE/O) to assess the performance and energy efficiency, respectively. This review aims at providing a guide for future investigation on PS-AOPs for antibiotic resistance control. | 2025 | 39864723 |
| 8552 | 5 | 0.9859 | Sustainable material platforms for multi-log removal of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes from wastewater: A review. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and the associated resistance genes (ARGs) are now recognized as emerging contaminants that can disseminate via wastewater streams, posing significant risks to both human and ecosystem health. Conventional physicochemical treatment approaches (e.g., chlorination, ozonation, advanced oxidation processes) typically suppress these contaminants but may also result in the formation of hazardous by-products. This critical review comprehensibly evaluates bio-based and other sustainable materials designed for the removal of ARB and ARGs from aqueous environments. The materials are systematically categorized into (i) biopolymers and their composites (chitosan, alginate, cellulose), (ii) carbon-rich adsorbents and (photo-)catalysts (biochar, activated carbon, graphene), (iii) metal- and semiconductor-based nanomaterials, and (iv) nature-based treatment solutions (constructed wetlands, soil-aquifer treatment, clay sorbents). Observed log-reduction value range from 2 to 7 for ARB with platforms such as zinc oxide/activated-carbon alginate beads, Fe/N-doped biochars, and graphene-supramolecular-porphyrin hybrids demonstrating high multifunctional efficacy. Mechanistic studies reveal that removal involves synergistic adsorption, photodynamic or Fenton-like oxidation, cell-membrane disruption, and inhibition of horizontal gene transfer. This review emphasizes the advancing potential of sustainable material solutions for mitigating antibiotic resistance and highlights the urgent need to develop scalable, environmentally sustainable treatment methods for protecting water resources and public health. | 2025 | 40763861 |
| 6507 | 6 | 0.9857 | What Are the Drivers Triggering Antimicrobial Resistance Emergence and Spread? Outlook from a One Health Perspective. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a critical global public health threat, exacerbating healthcare burdens and imposing substantial economic costs. Currently, AMR contributes to nearly five million deaths annually worldwide, surpassing mortality rates of any single infectious disease. The economic burden associated with AMR-related disease management is estimated at approximately $730 billion per year. This review synthesizes current research on the mechanisms and multifaceted drivers of AMR development and dissemination through the lens of the One Health framework, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health perspectives. Intrinsic factors, including antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) and mobile genetic elements (MGEs), enable bacteria to evolve adaptive resistance mechanisms such as enzymatic inactivation, efflux pumps, and biofilm formation. Extrinsic drivers span environmental stressors (e.g., antimicrobials, heavy metals, disinfectants), socioeconomic practices, healthcare policies, and climate change, collectively accelerating AMR proliferation. Horizontal gene transfer and ecological pressures further facilitate the spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria across ecosystems. The cascading impacts of AMR threaten human health and agricultural productivity, elevate foodborne infection risks, and impose substantial economic burdens, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. To address this complex issue, the review advocates for interdisciplinary collaboration, robust policy implementation (e.g., antimicrobial stewardship), and innovative technologies (e.g., genomic surveillance, predictive modeling) under the One Health paradigm. Such integrated strategies are essential to mitigate AMR transmission, safeguard global health, and ensure sustainable development. | 2025 | 40558133 |
| 6442 | 7 | 0.9856 | A systematic review of antibiotic resistance driven by metal-based nanoparticles: Mechanisms and a call for risk mitigation. Elevations in antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are due not only to the antibiotic burden, but also to numerous environmental pressures (e.g., pesticides, metal ions, or psychotropic pharmaceuticals), which have led to an international public health emergency. Metal-based nanoparticles (MNPs) poison bacteria while propelling nanoresistance at ambient or sub-lethal concentrations, acting as a wide spectrum germicidal agent. Awareness of MNPs driven antibiotic resistance has created a surge of investigation into the molecule mechanisms of evolving and spreading environmental antibiotic resistome. Co-occurrence of MNPs resistance and antibiotic resistance emerge in environmental pathogens and benign microbes may entail a crucial outcome for human health. In this review we expound on the systematic mechanism of ARGs proliferation under the stress of MNPs, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced mutation, horizontal gene transfer (HGT) relevant genes regulation, nano-property, quorum sensing, and biofilm formation and highlighting on the momentous contribution of nanoparticle released ion. As antibiotic resistance pattern alteration is closely knit with the mediate activation of nanoparticle in water, soil, manure, or sludge habitats, we have proposed a virulence and evolution based antibiotic resistance risk assessment strategy for MNP contaminated areas and discussed practicable approaches that call for risk management in critical environmental compartments. | 2024 | 38220012 |
| 6441 | 8 | 0.9856 | Unseen Weapons: Bacterial Extracellular Vesicles and the Spread of Antibiotic Resistance in Aquatic Environments. This paper sheds light on the alarming issue of antibiotic resistance (ABR) in aquatic environments, exploring its detrimental effects on ecosystems and public health. It examines the multifaceted role of antibiotic use in aquaculture, agricultural runoff, and industrial waste in fostering the development and dissemination of resistant bacteria. The intricate interplay between various environmental factors, horizontal gene transfer, and bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs) in accelerating the spread of ABR is comprehensively discussed. Various BEVs carrying resistance genes like blaCTX-M, tetA, floR, and sul/I, as well as their contribution to the dominance of multidrug-resistant bacteria, are highlighted. The potential of BEVs as both a threat and a tool in combating ABR is explored, with promising strategies like targeted antimicrobial delivery systems and probiotic-derived EVs holding significant promise. This paper underscores the urgency of understanding the intricate interplay between BEVs and ABR in aquatic environments. By unraveling these unseen weapons, we pave the way for developing effective strategies to mitigate the spread of ABR, advocating for a multidisciplinary approach that includes stringent regulations, enhanced wastewater treatment, and the adoption of sustainable practices in aquaculture. | 2024 | 38542054 |
| 8549 | 9 | 0.9853 | Current perspectives on microalgae and extracellular polymers for reducing antibiotic resistance genes in livestock wastewater. Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in livestock wastewater resulting from excessive antibiotics used in animal farming pose significant environmental and public health risks. Conventional treatment methods are often costly, inefficient, and may inadvertently promote ARG transmission. Microalgae, with their long genetic distance from bacteria and strong ability to utilize wastewater nutrients, offer a sustainable solution for ARG mitigation. This review studied the abundance and characterization of ARGs in livestock wastewater, highlighted microalgal-based removal mechanisms of ARGs, including phagocytosis, competition, and absorption by extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), and explored factors influencing their efficacy. Notably, the microalgae-EPS system reduced ARGs by 0.62-3.00 log, demonstrating significant potential in wastewater treatment. Key challenges, such as optimizing algal species, understanding EPS-ARG interactions, targeted reduction of host bacteria, and scaling technologies, were discussed. This work provides critical insights for advancing microalgal-based strategies for ARG removal, promoting environmentally friendly and efficient wastewater management. | 2025 | 40324729 |
| 6418 | 10 | 0.9853 | Antibiotic resistance genes in anaerobic digestion: Unresolved challenges and potential solutions. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens public health, necessitating urgent efforts to mitigate the global impact of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Anaerobic digestion (AD), known for volatile solid reduction and energy generation, also presents a feasible approach for the removal of ARGs. This review encapsulates the existing understanding of ARGs and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) during the AD process, highlighting unresolved challenges pertaining to their detection and quantification. The questions raised and discussed include: Do current ARGs detection methods meet qualitative and quantitative requirements? How can we conduct risk assessments of ARGs? What happens to ARGs when they come into co-exposure with other emerging pollutants? How can the application of internal standards bolster the reliability of the AD resistome study? What are the potential future research directions that could enhance ARG elimination? Investigating these subjects will assist in shaping more efficient management strategies that employ AD for effective ARG control. | 2025 | 39826759 |
| 6938 | 11 | 0.9853 | Assessment of the Effects of Biodegradable and Nonbiodegradable Microplastics Combined with Pesticides on the Soil Microbiota. Microplastics (MPs) and pesticides pose significant threats to the health of soil ecosystems. This study investigated the individual and combined effects of biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) and nonbiodegradable polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics alongside glyphosate and imidacloprid pesticides on soil microbial communities and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) via microcosm experiments. Compared with the control, PLA significantly increased microbial alpha diversity and enhanced microbial functions related to environmental information processing and metabolism. However, PLA also selectively enriched populations of beneficial and potentially pathogenic bacteria, whereas PET had comparatively weaker effects. Crucially, PLA exposure resulted in substantially higher total abundance and ecological risk levels of soil ARGs than did PET. Coexposure with pesticides further amplified these effects, with PLA demonstrating notable synergistic interactions with both glyphosate and imidacloprid. These findings challenge the conventional assumption that biodegradable MPs such as PLA are environmentally safer than nonbiodegradable MPs, thus highlighting their potential to induce more complex and potentially severe ecological risks under co-contamination scenarios with pesticides. | 2025 | 41175058 |
| 6941 | 12 | 0.9850 | Tertiary Wastewater Treatment Processes Can Be a Double-Edged Sword for Water Quality Improvement in View of Mitigating Antimicrobial Resistance and Pathogenicity. Despite the high removal efficiency for chemical pollutants by tertiary wastewater treatment processes (TWTPs), there is no definite conclusion in terms of microbial risk mitigation yet. This study utilized metagenomic approaches to reveal the alterations of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), virulence factor genes (VFGs), their co-occurrence, and potential hosts during multiple TWTPs. Results showed that the TWTPs reduced chemical pollutants in wastewater, but the denitrifying biofilter (DB) significantly increased the absolute abundances of selected antibiotic-resistant bacteria and ARGs, and simultaneously elevated the relative abundances of ARGs and VFGs through the enrichment of multidrug resistance and offensive genes, respectively. Moreover, the co-occurrence of ARGs and VFGs (e.g., bacA-tapW, mexF-adeG) was only identified after the DB treatment and all carried by Pseudomonas. Then, the ultraviolet and constructed wetland treatment showed good complementarity for microbial risk reduction through mitigating antibiotic resistance and pathogenicity. Network and binning analyses showed that the shift of key operational taxonomic units affiliating to Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter may contribute to the dynamic changes of ARGs and VFGs during the TWTPs. Overall, this study sheds new light on how the TWTPs affect the antibiotic resistome and VFG profiles and what TWTPs should be selected for microbial risk mitigation. | 2023 | 36538014 |
| 6398 | 13 | 0.9850 | The interplay between antimicrobial resistance, heavy metal pollution, and the role of microplastics. Environmental pollution with heavy metals (HMs) and microplastics (MPs) could enhance the global health challenge antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Herein, we explore the complicated mechanics of how HMs, MPs, and AMR are interlinked within microbial ecosystems, as well as the co-selection and cross-resistance mechanisms. Unlike antibiotics, HMs have influenced microbial evolution for billions of years, promoting resistance mechanisms that predate antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). At the same time, this conundrum is further complicated by the pervasive spread of MPs in the aquatic and terrestrial environments, acting as substrates for bacterial pathogenic biofilms and accelerates the horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of ARGs and heavy metal resistance genes (MRGs). This review highlights that HMs such as lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), and nickel (Ni) have persistently selected for resistance traits through efflux systems and genetic co-regulation. Together, these interactions are amplified by MPs that create genetic exchange hotspots due to biofilm formation. These dynamics are modulated by organic matter, which serves both as a nutrient source and a mediator of HM bioavailability, directly influencing ARG abundance. Soil and water ecosystems, including riverine systems and landfill leachate, are reservoirs for ARGs and ARG-MRG combinations, with notable contributions originating from anthropogenic activities. This review also emphasizes the urgent need for integrated environmental and public health strategies to mitigate pollutant-driven AMR. This work seeks to approach HMs and MPs as synergistic drivers of AMR such that both HMs and MPs are upstream (causes) levers, a foundation from which future research on sustainable environmental management practices and health policy (One Health Approach), aimed at curbing the spread of resistance determinants can proceed. | 2025 | 40092036 |
| 6664 | 14 | 0.9850 | Addressing the global challenge of bacterial drug resistance: insights, strategies, and future directions. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored bacterial resistance as a critical global health issue, exacerbated by the increased use of antibiotics during the crisis. Notwithstanding the pandemic's prevalence, initiatives to address bacterial medication resistance have been inadequate. Although an overall drop in worldwide antibiotic consumption, total usage remains substantial, requiring rigorous regulatory measures and preventive activities to mitigate the emergence of resistance. Although National Action Plans (NAPs) have been implemented worldwide, significant disparities persist, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Settings such as farms, hospitals, wastewater treatment facilities, and agricultural environments include a significant presence of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic-resistance genes (ARG), promoting the propagation of resistance. Dietary modifications and probiotic supplementation have shown potential in reshaping gut microbiota and reducing antibiotic resistance gene prevalence. Combining antibiotics with adjuvants or bacteriophages may enhance treatment efficacy and mitigate resistance development. Novel therapeutic approaches, such as tailored antibiotics, monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, and nanoparticles, offer alternate ways of addressing resistance. In spite of advancements in next-generation sequencing and analytics, gaps persist in comprehending the role of gut microbiota in regulating antibiotic resistance. Effectively tackling antibiotic resistance requires robust policy interventions and regulatory measures targeting root causes while minimizing public health risks. This review provides information for developing strategies and protocols to prevent bacterial colonization, enhance gut microbiome resilience, and mitigate the spread of antibiotic resistance. | 2025 | 40066274 |
| 8580 | 15 | 0.9850 | Mitigation of microplastic-associated emerging pollutants by chlorination using field-collected microplastic: Antimicrobial-resistant genes and pathogens. The ubiquity of microplastics (MPs) in aquatic environments has raised significant concerns regarding their roles as vectors for antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) and antibiotic-resistant pathogens (ARPs). This study investigated the mitigation of ARGs and ARPs associated with field-collected MPs through chlorination using free available chlorine (FAC) at varying concentrations. FAC effectively reduced the absolute abundance of ARGs on MPs by up to 99.69 %, although the relative abundance of certain ARGs persisted or increased after treatments. Results revealed that the three-dimensional structure of biofilms on MPs significantly influenced FAC efficacy, with interior biofilm bacteria demonstrating greater resistance than outer biofilm. Additionally, FAC induced fragmentation of MPs, particularly increasing the proportion of particles smaller than 100 μm. Notably, ARGs such as sul1 and ermB showed substantial reductions in absolute abundance, whereas ermC and sul2 exhibited less reduction, highlighting the complexity of disinfection in MP-associated biofilms. These findings underscore the need for optimizing disinfection strategies to mitigate ARG dissemination and address environmental risks posed by MPs in wastewater effluents. | 2025 | 40436100 |
| 6420 | 16 | 0.9849 | Micro-interfacial behavior of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes in the soil environment: A review. Overutilization and misuse of antibiotics in recent decades markedly intensified the rapid proliferation and diffusion of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) within the environment, thereby elevating ARGs to the status of a global public health crisis. Recognizing that soil acts as a critical reservoir for ARGs, environmental researchers have made great progress in exploring the sources, distribution, and spread of ARGs in soil. However, the microscopic state and micro-interfacial behavior of ARGs in soil remains inadequately understood. In this study, we reviewed the micro-interfacial behaviors of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) in soil and porous media, predominantly including migration-deposition, adsorption, and biofilm formation. Meanwhile, adsorption, proliferation, and degradation were identified as the primary micro-interfacial behaviors of ARGs in the soil, with component of soil serving as significant determinant. Our work contributes to the further comprehension of the microstates and processes of ARB and ARGs in the soil environments and offers a theoretical foundation for managing and mitigating the risks associated with ARG contamination. | 2024 | 39180776 |
| 8585 | 17 | 0.9849 | Synergistic effect of horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes between bacteria exposed to microplastics and per/polyfluoroalkyl substances: An explanation from theoretical methods. Microplastics (MPs) and per/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), as emerging pollutants widely present in aquatic environments, pose a significant threat to human health through the horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Molecular dynamics simulations and machine learning can accurately capture the complex interactions between molecules. This study utilized them to identify the HGT risk between bacteria under MPs and PFASs stress. This study found that MPs and PFASs significantly increase the HGT risk between bacteria, up to 1.57 and 1.59 times, respectively. Notably, long-chain PFASs and perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids increased the HGT risk by 1.38 and 1.40 times, respectively. Additionally, MPs primarily increase the HGT risk by enhancing hydrogen bonding interaction between key proteins in the HGT pathway and "active codons". The electronegativity and polarizability of PFASs critically influence the HGT risk, acting inversely and directly proportional, respectively. The HGT risk between bacteria under the combined stress from PP-MPs and PFASs exhibits a significant synergistic effect (synergistic effect value of 27.6), which markedly increases the HGT risk. Further analysis revealed that a smaller minimum distance and sharper RDF curve peaks between key proteins and "active codons" indicate higher HGT risk. This indicates that stronger interactions lead to higher HGT risk. This study identifies the characteristics of HGT risks between bacteria in aquatic environments under the individual and combined stresses from MPs and PFASs at the molecular level. It provides a theoretical basis for mitigating ARG transfer and comprehensively assessing the health risks posed by these emerging pollutants. | 2025 | 40220390 |
| 6406 | 18 | 0.9849 | The Environmental Lifecycle of Antibiotics and Resistance Genes: Transmission Mechanisms, Challenges, and Control Strategies. Antibiotics are widely used in modern medicine. However, as global antibiotic consumption rises, environmental contamination with antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) is becoming a serious concern. The impact of antibiotic use on human health is now under scrutiny, particularly regarding the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) in the environment. This has heightened interest in technologies for treating ARGs, highlighting the need for effective solutions. This review traces the life cycle of ARB and ARGs driven by human activity, revealing pathways from antibiotic use to human infection. We address the mechanisms enabling resistance in ARB during this process. Beyond intrinsic resistance, the primary cause of ARB resistance is the horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of ARGs. These genes exploit mobile genetic elements (MGEs) to spread via conjugation, transformation, transduction, and outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). Currently, biological wastewater treatment is the primary pollution control method due to its cost-effectiveness. However, these biological processes can promote ARG propagation, significantly amplifying the environmental threat posed by antibiotics. This review also summarizes key mechanisms in the biological treatment of antibiotics and evaluates risks associated with major ARB/ARG removal processes. Our aim is to enhance understanding of ARB risks, their pathways and mechanisms in biotreatment, and potential biomedical applications for pollution control. | 2025 | 41011444 |
| 8558 | 19 | 0.9849 | Mitigating the vertical migration and leaching risks of antibiotic resistance genes through insect fertilizer application. The leaching and vertical migration risks of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) from fertilized soil to groundwater poses a significant threat to ecological and public safety. Insect fertilizer, particularly black soldier fly organic fertilizer (BOF), renowned for its minimal antibiotic resistance, emerge as a promising alternative for sustainable agricultural fertilization. This study employs soil-column leaching experiments to evaluate the impact of BOF on the leaching behavior of ARGs. Our results reveal that BOF significantly reduces the leaching risks of ARGs by 22.1 %-49.3 % compared to control organic fertilizer (COF). Moreover, BOF promotes the leaching of beneficial Bacillus and, according to random forest analysis, is the most important factor in predicting ARG profiles (3.02 % increase in the MSE). Further network analysis and mantel tests suggest that enhanced nitrogen metabolism in BOF leachates could foster Bacillus biofilm formation, thereby countering antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and mitigating antibiotic resistance. In addition, linear regression analysis revealed that Bacillus biofilm-associated genes pgaD (biofilm PGA synthesis protein), slrR (biofilm formation regulator), and kpsC (capsular polysaccharide export protein) were identified as pivotal in the elimination of ARGs, which can serve as effective indicators for assessing antibiotic resistance in groundwater. Collectively, this study demonstrates that BOF as an environmentally friendly fertilizer could markedly reduce the vertical migration risks of ARGs and proposes Bacillus biofilm formation related genes as reliable indicators for monitoring antibiotic resistance in groundwater. | 2025 | 40086570 |