# | Rank | Similarity | Title + Abs. | Year | PMID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 6790 | 0 | 0.9778 | Overlooked dissemination risks of antimicrobial resistance through green tide proliferation. Green tides, particularly those induced by Enteromorpha, pose significant environmental challenges, exacerbated by climate change, coastal eutrophication, and other anthropogenic impacts. More concerningly, these blooms may influence the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) within ecosystems. However, the manner in which Enteromorpha blooms affect the distribution and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remains uncertain. This study investigated ARG profiles, dynamic composition, and associated health risks within the Enteromorpha phycosphere and surrounding seawater in typical bays (Jiaozhou, Aoshan, and Lingshan) in the South Yellow Sea. The Enteromorpha phycosphere exhibited significantly higher ARG abundance (p < 0.05) but lower diversity compared to the surrounding seawater. Source-tracking and metagenomic analyses revealed that the phycosphere was the main contributor to the resistome of surrounding seawater. Moreover, resistant pathogens, especially ESKAPE pathogens, with horizontal gene transfer (HGT) potential, were more abundant in the phycosphere than in the surrounding seawater. The phycosphere released high-risk ARGs to the surrounding seawater during Enteromorpha blooms, posing serious health and ecological AMR risks in marine environments. This study highlights the significant role of Enteromorpha blooms in ARG spread and associated risks, urging a reassessment of AMR burden from a public health perspective. | 2025 | 39488061 |
| 7267 | 1 | 0.9778 | Antimicrobial resistance transmission in the environmental settings through traditional and UV-enabled advanced wastewater treatment plants: a metagenomic insight. BACKGROUND: Municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are pivotal reservoirs for antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB). Selective pressures from antibiotic residues, co-selection by heavy metals, and conducive environments sustain ARGs, fostering the emergence of ARB. While advancements in WWTP technology have enhanced the removal of inorganic and organic pollutants, assessing ARG and ARB content in treated water remains a gap. This metagenomic study meticulously examines the filtration efficiency of two distinct WWTPs-conventional (WWTPC) and advanced (WWTPA), operating on the same influent characteristics and located at Aligarh, India. RESULTS: The dominance of Proteobacteria or Pseudomonadota, characterized the samples from both WWTPs and carried most ARGs. Acinetobacter johnsonii, a prevailing species, exhibited a diminishing trend with wastewater treatment, yet its persistence and association with antibiotic resistance underscore its adaptive resilience. The total ARG count was reduced in effluents, from 58 ARGs, representing 14 distinct classes of antibiotics in the influent to 46 and 21 in the effluents of WWTPC and WWTPA respectively. However, an overall surge in abundance, particularly influenced by genes such as qacL, bla(OXA-900), and rsmA was observed. Numerous clinically significant ARGs, including those against aminoglycosides (AAC(6')-Ib9, APH(3'')-Ib, APH(6)-Id), macrolides (EreD, mphE, mphF, mphG, mphN, msrE), lincosamide (lnuG), sulfonamides (sul1, sul2), and beta-lactamases (bla(NDM-1)), persisted across both conventional and advanced treatment processes. The prevalence of mobile genetic elements and virulence factors in the effluents possess a high risk for ARG dissemination. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced technologies are essential for effective ARG and ARB removal. A multidisciplinary approach focused on investigating the intricate association between ARGs, microbiome dynamics, MGEs, and VFs is required to identify robust indicators for filtration efficacy, contributing to optimized WWTP operations and combating ARG proliferation across sectors. | 2025 | 40050994 |
| 8111 | 2 | 0.9777 | Effect of alkaline-thermal pretreatment on biodegradable plastics degradation and dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes in co-compost system. Biodegradable plastics (BDPs) are an eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastics in organic waste, but their microbial degradation and impact on antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) transmission during co-composting remain poorly understood. This study examines how alkaline-thermal pretreatment enhances BDPs degradation and influences the fate of ARGs and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) in co-composting. Pretreatment with 0.1 mol/L NaOH at 100℃ for 40 minutes increased the surface roughness and hydrophilicity of BDPs while reducing their molecular weight and thermal stability. Incorporating pretreated BDPs film (8 g/kg-TS) into the compost reduced the molecular weight of the BDPs by 59.70 % during the maturation stage, facilitating compost heating and prolonging the thermophilic stage. However, incomplete degradation of BDPs releases numerous smaller-sized microplastics, which can act as carriers for microorganisms, facilitating the dissemination of ARGs across environments and posing significant ecological and public health risks. Metagenomic analysis revealed that pretreatment enriched plastic-degrading bacteria, such as Thermobifida fusca, on BDPs surfaces and accelerated microbial plastic degradation during the thermophilic stage, but also increased ARGs abundance. Although pretreatment significantly reduced MGEs abundance (tnpA, IS19), the risk of ARGs dissemination remained. Three plastic-degrading bacteria (Pigmentiphaga sp002188465, Bacillus clausii, and Bacillus altitudinis) were identified as ARGs hosts, underscoring the need to address the risk of horizontal gene transfer of ARGs associated with pretreatment in organic waste management. | 2025 | 39970645 |
| 6506 | 3 | 0.9776 | 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 |
| 7869 | 4 | 0.9771 | Nano-CeO(2) activates physical and chemical defenses of garlic (Allium sativum L.) for reducing antibiotic resistance genes in plant endosphere. The transmission of manure- and wastewater-borne antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) to plants contributes to the proliferation of antimicrobial resistance in agriculture, necessitating effective strategies for preventing the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) from ARB in the environment to humans. Nanomaterials are potential candidates for efficiently controlling the dissemination of ARGs. The present study investigated the abundance of ARGs in hydroponically grown garlic (Allium sativum L.) following nano-CeO(2) (nCeO(2)) application. Specifically, root exposure to nCeO(2) (1, 2.5, 5, 10 mg L(-1), 18 days) reduced ARG abundance in the endosphere of bulbs and leaves. The accumulation of ARGs (cat, tet, and aph(3')-Ia) in garlic bulbs decreased by 24.2-32.5 % after nCeO(2) exposure at 10 mg L(-1). Notably, the lignification extent of garlic stem-disc was enhanced by 10 mg L(-1) nCeO(2), thereby accelerating the formation of an apoplastic barrier to impede the upward transfer of ARG-harboring bacteria to garlic bulbs. Besides, nCeO(2) upregulated the gene expression related to alliin biosynthesis and increased allicin content by 15.9-16.2 %, promoting a potent antimicrobial defense for reducing ARG-harboring bacteria. The potential exposure risks associated with ARGs and Ce were evaluated according to the estimated daily intake (EDI). The EDI of ARGs exhibited a decrease exceeding 95 %, while the EDI of Ce remained below the estimated oral reference dose. Consequently, through stimulating physical and chemical defenses, nCeO(2) contributed to a reduced EDI of ARGs and Ce, highlighting its potential for controlling ARGs in plant endosphere within the framework of nano-enabled agrotechnology. | 2024 | 38570269 |
| 6525 | 5 | 0.9768 | The Role of Water as a Reservoir for Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria. Water systems serve as multifaceted environmental pools for antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and resistance genes (ARGs), influencing human, animal, and ecosystem health. This review synthesizes current understanding of how antibiotics, ARB, and ARGs enter surface, ground, and drinking waters via wastewater discharge, agricultural runoff, hospital effluents, and urban stormwater. We highlight key mechanisms of biofilm formation, horizontal gene transfer, and co-selection by chemical stressors that facilitate persistence and spread. Case studies illustrate widespread detection of clinically meaningful ARB (e.g., Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae) and mobile ARGs (e.g., sul1/2, tet, bla variants) in treated effluents, recycled water, and irrigation return flows. The interplay between treatment inefficiencies and environmental processes underscores the need for advanced treatment technologies, integrated monitoring, and policy interventions. Addressing these challenges is critical to curbing the environmental dissemination of resistance and protecting human and ecosystem health. | 2025 | 40867958 |
| 6394 | 6 | 0.9768 | Potential Environmental and Human Health Risks Caused by Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (ARB), Antibiotic Resistance Genes (ARGs) and Emerging Contaminants (ECs) from Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Landfill. The disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) directly at landfills or open dump areas, without segregation and treatment, is a significant concern due to its hazardous contents of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB), antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and metal resistance genes (MGEs). The released leachate from landfills greatly effects the soil physicochemical, biological, and groundwater properties associated with agricultural activity and human health. The abundance of ARB, ARGs, and MGEs have been reported worldwide, including MSW landfill sites, animal husbandry, wastewater, groundwater, soil, and aerosol. This review elucidates the occurrence and abundance of ARB, ARGs, and MRGs, which are regarded as emerging contaminants (ECs). Recently, ECs have received global attention because of their prevalence in leachate as a substantial threat to environmental and public health, including an economic burden for developing nations. The present review exclusively discusses the demands to develop a novel eco-friendly management strategy to combat these global issues. This review also gives an intrinsic discussion about the insights of different aspects of environmental and public health concerns caused due to massive leachate generation, the abundance of antibiotics resistance (AR), and the effects of released leachate on the various environmental reservoirs and human health. Furthermore, the current review throws light on the source and fate of different ECs of landfill leachate and their possible impact on the nearby environments (groundwater, surface water, and soil) affecting human health. The present review strongly suggests the demand for future research focuses on the advancement of the removal efficiency of contaminants with the improvement of relevant landfill management to reduce the potential effects of disposable waste. We propose the necessity of the identification and monitoring of potential environmental and human health risks associated with landfill leachate contaminants. | 2021 | 33915892 |
| 8552 | 7 | 0.9767 | 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 |
| 6794 | 8 | 0.9767 | Beyond cyanotoxins: increased Legionella, antibiotic resistance genes in western Lake Erie water and disinfection-byproducts in their finished water. BACKGROUND: Western Lake Erie is suffering from harmful cyanobacterial blooms, primarily toxic Microcystis spp., affecting the ecosystem, water safety, and the regional economy. Continued bloom occurrence has raised concerns about public health implications. However, there has been no investigation regarding the potential increase of Legionella and antibiotic resistance genes in source water, and disinfection byproducts in municipal treated drinking water caused by these bloom events. METHODS: Over 2 years, source water (total n = 118) and finished water (total n = 118) samples were collected from drinking water plants situated in western Lake Erie (bloom site) and central Lake Erie (control site). Bloom-related parameters were determined, such as microcystin (MC), toxic Microcystis, total organic carbon, N, and P. Disinfection byproducts (DBPs) [total trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs)] were assessed in finished water. Genetic markers for Legionella, antibiotic resistance genes, and mobile genetic elements were quantified in source and finished waters. RESULTS: Significantly higher levels of MC-producing Microcystis were observed in the western Lake Erie site compared to the control site. Analysis of DBPs revealed significantly elevated THMs concentrations at the bloom site, while HAAs concentrations remained similar between the two sites. Legionella spp. levels were significantly higher in the bloom site, showing a significant relationship with total cyanobacteria. Abundance of ARGs (tetQ and sul1) and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) were also significantly higher at the bloom site. DISCUSSION: Although overall abundance decreased in finished water, relative abundance of ARGs and MGE among total bacteria increased after treatment, particularly at the bloom site. The findings underscore the need for ongoing efforts to mitigate bloom frequency and intensity in the lake. Moreover, optimizing water treatment processes during bloom episodes is crucial to maintain water quality. The associations observed between bloom conditions, ARGs, and Legionella, necessitate future investigations into the potential enhancement of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and Legionella spp. due to blooms, both in lake environments and drinking water distribution systems. | 2023 | 37700867 |
| 8580 | 9 | 0.9767 | 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 |
| 7138 | 10 | 0.9767 | Accumulation and translocation of antibiotic resistance genes in plants cultivated in hydroponic systems with nitrified biogas slurry. Hydroponic cultivation with biogas slurry supports nutrient recycling but raises biosafety concerns due to the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). This study established a hydroponic system using nitrified biogas slurry to grow lettuce and cherry radish, and systematically investigated the accumulation of ARGs, mobile genetic elements (MGEs), high-priority human pathogenic bacteria (HPBs), and virulence factors (VFs) in plant tissues. ARGs predominantly accumulated in roots (0.16 ∼ 0.23 copies/16S rRNA), significantly higher than in leaves (0.01 ∼ 0.11 copies/16S rRNA), with sul1 consistently enriched in the rhizosphere. Filtration pretreatment significantly reduced ARG and MGE levels in cherry radish roots by 30.78 % and 39.43 %, respectively (p < 0.05). ARGs strongly correlated with MGEs (R² = 0.97, p < 0.0001), indicating horizontal gene transfer as the key dissemination pathway. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed synergistic enrichment of ARGs and MGEs with HPBs and VFs, highlighting Acinetobacter baumannii and Streptococcus pneumoniae as potential core hosts. These findings demonstrate that ARG accumulation and spread in plants are affected by slurry treatment, plant species, and tissue specificity. While filtration mitigates risks, persistent ARGs in roots necessitate further monitoring. This study informs safe reuse strategies for biogas slurry in agriculture. | 2025 | 41076908 |
| 8549 | 11 | 0.9766 | 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 |
| 7934 | 12 | 0.9766 | Mitigated membrane fouling and enhanced removal of extracellular antibiotic resistance genes from wastewater effluent via an integrated pre-coagulation and microfiltration process. Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) have been regarded as an emerging pollutant in municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents due to their potential risk to human health and ecological safety when reused for landscape and irrigation. Conventional wastewater treatment processes generally fail to effectively reduce ARGs, especially extracellular ARGs (eARGs), which are persistent in the environment and play an important role in horizontal gene transfer via transformation. Herein, an integrated process of pre-coagulation and microfiltration was developed for removal of ARGs, especially eARGs, from wastewater effluent. Results show that the integrated process could effectively reduce the absolute abundances of total ARGs (tARGs) (>2.9 logs) and eARGs (>5.2 logs) from the effluent. The excellent performance could be mainly attributed to the capture of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and eARGs by pre-coagulation and co-rejection during subsequent microfiltration. Moreover, the integrated process exhibited a good performance on removing common pollutants (e.g., dissolved organic carbon and phosphate) from the effluent to improve water quality. Besides, the integrated process also greatly reduced membrane fouling compared with microfiltration. These findings suggest that the integrated process of pre-coagulation and microfiltration is a promising advanced wastewater treatment technology for ARGs (especially eARGs) removal from WWTP effluents to ensure water reuse security. | 2019 | 31085389 |
| 6793 | 13 | 0.9765 | Interplays between cyanobacterial blooms and antibiotic resistance genes. Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs), which are a form of microbial dysbiosis in freshwater environments, are an emerging environmental and public health concern. Additionally, the freshwater environment serves as a reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), which pose a risk of transmission during microbial dysbiosis, such as cyanoHABs. However, the interactions between potential synergistic pollutants, cyanoHABs, and ARGs remain poorly understood. During cyanoHABs, Microcystis and high microcystin levels were dominant in all the nine regions of the river sampled. The resistome, mobilome, and microbiome were interrelated and linked to the physicochemical properties of freshwater. Planktothrix and Pseudanabaena competed with Actinobacteriota and Proteobacteria during cyanoHABs. Forty two ARG carriers were identified, most of which belonged to Actinobacteriota and Proteobacteria. ARG carriers showed a strong correlation with ARGs density, which decreased with the severity of cyanoHAB. Although ARGs decreased due to a reduction of ARG carriers during cyanoHABs, mobile gene elements (MGEs) and virulence factors (VFs) genes increased. We explored the relationship between cyanoHABs and ARGs for potential synergistic interaction. Our findings demonstrated that cyanobacteria compete with freshwater commensal bacteria such as Actinobacteriota and Proteobacteria, which carry ARGs in freshwater, resulting in a reduction of ARGs levels. Moreover, cyanoHABs generate biotic and abiotic stress in the freshwater microbiome, which may lead to an increase in MGEs and VFs. Exploration of the intricate interplays between microbiome, resistome, mobilome, and pathobiome during cyanoHABs not only revealed that the mechanisms underlying the dynamics of microbial dysbiosis but also emphasizes the need to prioritize the prevention of microbial dysbiosis in the risk management of ARGs. | 2023 | 37897871 |
| 6527 | 14 | 0.9765 | Evaluating human exposure to antibiotic resistance genes. Antibiotic resistance is an escalating global concern, leading to millions of annual fatalities. Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) present in bacteria equip them to withstand the effects of antibiotics. Intra- and interspecific ARGs transmission through horizontal gene transfer further exacerbates resistance dissemination. The presence of ARGs in the environment heightens the probability of human exposure via direct inhalation, ingestion, or contact with polluted air, food, or water, posing substantial biosafety and health hazards. Consequently, ARGs represent a critical focal point in public health and environmental safety and are classified as emerging contaminants. This perspective underscores the necessity to assess ARG exposure within the One Health framework and to accord greater attention to the mitigation strategies and tactics associated with ARGs. | 2024 | 40078948 |
| 6996 | 15 | 0.9765 | Implications of vermicompost on antibiotic resistance in tropical agricultural soils - A study in Hainan Island, China. The contamination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) associated with animal manure fertilization have attracted a global concern. Vermicompost has been widely popularized as an eco-friendly alternative to recycle animal manure on Hainan Island, China. However, the effects of vermicompost application on ARG spread and environmental fate in tropical agricultural soils remains undefined. Herein, the spatial prevalence and vertical behavior of ARGs in the soil profiles of vermicompost-applied agricultural regions were explored by a large-scale survey across Hainan Island. The results showed that although vermicompost application marginally enhanced the load of ARG pollution in the soil in Hainan, the ARGs derived from vermicompost did not eventually accumulate in the soil profile. The increase rate of ARGs in 40-60 cm soil layer was only 0.0015 % compared with that of unfertilized soil. Interestingly, vermicompost application reduced the abundance of high-risk ARGs, such as bla(NDM) and bla(ampC), by approximately one order of magnitude. Vermicompost was also observed to increase the abundance of beneficial bacteria, like Clostridium, and decrease those of Acidobacteriae, Planctomycetes and Verrucomicrobiae, which caused changes in the potential host bacteria of soil ARGs. Mobile genetic elements were further proven to be an essential factor that regulated the vertical dynamics of ARGs in vermicomposted soil, with a direct influence coefficient of 0.9975. This study demonstrated that the controllable risk associated with vermicompost application provided useful information to effectively reduce the threat of ARGs and promote the development of sustainable agriculture on Hainan Island. | 2023 | 37271403 |
| 6820 | 16 | 0.9764 | Microcosm experiments deciphered resistome coalescence, risks and source-sink relationship of antibiotic resistance in the soil irrigated with reclaimed water. Reclaimed water is widely used in agriculture irrigation to alleviate water scarcity, whereas the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the soil it introduces has attracted widespread attention. Currently, few studies have systematically elucidated the coalescence of the resistome originating from reclaimed water with the soil's native community. Also, the effects and mechanisms of irrigation on the dissemination of ARGs in soils have yet to be demonstrated. To address this gap, microcosm experiments have been conducted in this study to decipher the resistome coalescence, risks and source-sink relationship of ARGs in soils irrigated with reclaimed water. The results show 237 ARGs, 55 mobile genetic elements (MGEs) and 28 virulence factors were identified in the irrigated soils. Irrigation increased the abundance and diversity of ARGs in the soil by introducing antibiotic-resistant bacteria, altering the microbial community and facilitating horizontal transfer of ARGs via MGEs, and ultimately exacerbated resistome risks in the environment. Relatively, a larger volume of irrigation water led to a more complex propagation network of the resistome. Source apportionment analysis suggested reclaimed water contributed less than 15 % of ARGs in the irrigated soils, whereas its contribution proportion increased with a larger volume of irrigation water. | 2025 | 39874760 |
| 6791 | 17 | 0.9763 | Microplastics in marine pollution: Oceanic hitchhikers for the global dissemination of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Microplastics (MPs) are globally anthropogenic contaminants of marine environments. Bacteria can colonize MPs forming biofilms that constitute the plastisphere. Carbapenem-resistant bacteria in plastisphere could be a hidden threat for marine life. The role of MPs in the spread of AMR bacteria/genes deserves global investigation. | 2025 | 40469541 |
| 6821 | 18 | 0.9763 | Mangrove plastisphere as a hotspot for high-risk antibiotic resistance genes and pathogens. Microplastics (MPs) are critical vectors for the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs); however, the prevalence and ecological risks of high-risk ARGs in mangrove ecosystems-globally vital yet understudied coastal habitats-remain poorly understood. To address this gap, this study investigated polyethylene, polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride incubated in mangrove sediments for one month, focusing on high-risk ARGs, virulence gene (VGs), and pathogenic antibiotic-resistant bacteria within the mangrove plastisphere. High-throughput PCR and metagenomic analyses revealed that high-risk ARGs, VGs, and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) were significantly enriched on MPs compared to surrounding sediments. Pathogenic bacteria and MGEs were also more abundant in the plastisphere, highlighting its role as a hotspot for ARG dispersal. Metagenome-assembled genome analysis identified Pseudomonas and Bacillus as key hosts for ARGs, MGEs, and VGs, particularly multidrug resistance genes, integrase genes, and adherence factors. Notably, polystyrene harbored the highest abundance of pathogenic bacteria carrying ARGs, MGEs, and VGs, and mangrove root exudates were found to amplify horizontal gene transfer on MPs, uncovering a previously overlooked mechanism driving antibiotic resistance in coastal ecosystems. These findings not only elucidate how MPs accelerate the spread of ARGs, but also underscore the urgent need for targeted mitigation strategies to address the adverse impacts microplastic pollution on human, animal, and environmental health. | 2025 | 40043931 |
| 6823 | 19 | 0.9763 | Metagenomic assembly and binning analyses the prevalence and spread of antibiotic resistome in water and fish gut microbiomes along an environmental gradient. The pristine river and urban river show an environmental gradient caused by anthropogenic impacts such as wastewater treatment plants and domestic wastewater discharges. Here, metagenomic and binning analyses unveiled antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) profiles, their co-occurrence with metal resistance genes (MRGs) and mobile genetic elements (MGEs), and their host bacteria in water and Hemiculter leucisculus samples of the river. Results showed that the decrease of ARG abundances from pristine to anthropogenic regions was attributed to the reduction of the relative abundance of multidrug resistance genes in water microbiomes along the environmental gradient. Whereas anthropogenic impact contributed to the enrichment of ARGs in fish gut microbiomes. From pristine to anthropogenic water samples, the dominant host bacteria shifted from Pseudomonas to Actinobacteria. Potential pathogens Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Enterobacter kobei, Aeromonas veronii and Microcystis aeruginosa_C with multiple ARGs were retrieved from fish gut microbes in lower reach of Ba River. The increasing trends in the proportion of the contigs carrying ARGs (ARCs) concomitant with plasmids along environmental gradient indicated that plasmids act as efficient mobility vehicles to enhance the spread of ARGs under anthropogenic pressures. Moreover, the higher co-occurrence of ARGs and MRGs on plasmids revealed that anthropogenic impacts accelerated the co-transfer potential of ARGs and MRGs and the enrichment of ARGs. Partial least squares path modeling revealed anthropogenic contamination could shape fish gut antibiotic resistome mainly via affecting ARG host bacteria in water microbiomes, following by ARGs co-occurrence with MGEs and MRGs in gut microbiomes. This study enhanced our understanding of the mechanism of the anthropogenic activities on the transmission of antibiotic resistome in river ecosystem and emphasized the risk of ARGs and pathogens transferring from an aquatic environment to fish guts. | 2022 | 35716556 |