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Garner E, Maile-Moskowitz A, Angeles LF, Flach CF, Aga DS, Nambi I, Larsson DGJ, Bürgmann H, Zhang T, Vikesland PJ, Pruden A. Metagenomic Profiling of Internationally Sourced Sewage Influents and Effluents Yields Insight into Selecting Targets for Antibiotic Resistance Monitoring. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 39229966 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c03726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2024]
Abstract
It has been debated whether wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) primarily act to attenuate or amplify antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). However, ARGs are highly diverse with respect to their resistance mechanisms, mobilities, and taxonomic hosts and therefore their behavior in WWTPs should not be expected to be universally conserved. We applied metagenomic sequencing to wastewater influent and effluent samples from 12 international WWTPs to classify the behavior of specific ARGs entering and exiting WWTPs. In total, 1079 different ARGs originating from a variety of bacteria were detected. This included ARGs that could be mapped to assembled scaffolds corresponding to nine human pathogens. While the relative abundance (per 16S rRNA gene) of ARGs decreased during treatment at 11 of the 12 WWTPs sampled and absolute abundance (per mL) decreased at all 12 WWTPs, increases in relative abundance were observed for 40% of the ARGs detected at the 12th WWTP. Also, the relative abundance of mobile genetic elements (MGE) increased during treatment, but the fraction of ARGs known to be transmissible between species decreased, thus demonstrating that increased MGE prevalence may not be generally indicative of an increase in ARGs. A distinct conserved resistome was documented in both influent and effluent across samples, suggesting that well-functioning WWTPs generally attenuate influent antibiotic resistance loads. This work helps inform strategies for wastewater surveillance of antibiotic resistance, highlighting the utility of tracking ARGs as indicators of treatment performance and relative risk reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Garner
- Wadsworth Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, United States
| | - Ayella Maile-Moskowitz
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Luisa F Angeles
- Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14260, United States
| | - Carl-Fredrik Flach
- Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Centre for Antibiotic Resistance Research in Gothenburg (CARe), University of Gothenburg, Västra Götaland, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Diana S Aga
- Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14260, United States
| | - Indumathi Nambi
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | - D G Joakim Larsson
- Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Centre for Antibiotic Resistance Research in Gothenburg (CARe), University of Gothenburg, Västra Götaland, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Helmut Bürgmann
- Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Kastanienbaum CH-6047, Switzerland
| | - Tong Zhang
- Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam 999077, Hong Kong
| | - Peter J Vikesland
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Amy Pruden
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
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Zhou CS, Cao GL, Liu BF, Liu W, Ma WL, Ren NQ. Deciphering the reduction of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) during medium-chain fatty acids production from waste activated sludge: Driven by inhibition of ARGs transmission and shift of microbial community. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 473:134676. [PMID: 38788579 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) production from waste activated sludge (WAS) by chain extension (CE) is a promising technology. However, the effects and mechanisms of CE process on the fate of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) remain unclear. In this study, the results showed that the removal efficiency of ARGs was 81.15 % in CE process, suggesting its efficacy in reducing environmental risks. Further, the observed decrease in mobile genetic elements (MGEs) indicated that CE process restricted the horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Complementing this, the increase in soluble organic matters and extracellular 16 S rDNA confirmed that MCFAs production caused bacterial damage. Decreased intracellular ARGs and increased extracellular ARGs further revealed that MCFAs production impaired ARGs hosts, thereby limiting the vertical gene transfer (VGT) of ARGs. Shift of microbial community combined with co-occurrence network analysis demonstrated that functional bacteria without host potential for ARGs were enriched, but potential ARGs and MGEs hosts decreased, showing the role of functional bacterial phylogeny and selection pressure of MCFAs in reducing ARGs. Finally, partial least squares path model was used to systematic verify the mechanism of ARGs removal in CE process, which was attributed to the inhibition of ARGs transmission (HGT and VGT) and shift of microbial community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Shuang Zhou
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomass Energy Development and Utilization, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Guang-Li Cao
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomass Energy Development and Utilization, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China.
| | - Bing-Feng Liu
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomass Energy Development and Utilization, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Heilongjiang Institute of Energy and Environment, Harbin 150007, China
| | - Wan-Li Ma
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomass Energy Development and Utilization, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Nan-Qi Ren
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomass Energy Development and Utilization, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
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Madhogaria B, Banerjee S, Kundu A, Dhak P. Efficacy of new generation biosorbents for the sustainable treatment of antibiotic residues and antibiotic resistance genes from polluted waste effluent. INFECTIOUS MEDICINE 2024; 3:100092. [PMID: 38586544 PMCID: PMC10998275 DOI: 10.1016/j.imj.2024.100092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Antimicrobials are frequently used in both humans and animals for the treatment of bacterially-generated illnesses. Antibiotic usage has increased for more than 40% from last 15 years globally per day in both human populations and farm animals leading to the large-scale discharge of antibiotic residues into wastewater. Most antibiotics end up in sewer systems, either directly from industry or healthcare systems, or indirectly from humans and animals after being partially metabolized or broken down following consumption. To prevent additional antibiotic compound pollution, which eventually impacts on the spread of antibiotic resistance, it is crucial to remove antibiotic residues from wastewater. Antibiotic accumulation and antibiotic resistance genes cannot be effectively and efficiently eliminated by conventional sewage treatment plants. Because of their high energy requirements and operating costs, many of the available technologies are not feasible. However, the biosorption method, which uses low-cost biomass as the biosorbent, is an alternative technique to potentially address these problems. An extensive literature survey focusing on developments in the field was conducted using English language electronic databases, such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Pubag, Google books, and ResearchGate, to understand the relative value of the available antibiotic removal methods. The predominant techniques for eliminating antibiotic residues from wastewater were categorized and defined by example. The approaches were contrasted, and the benefits and drawbacks were highlighted. Additionally, we included a few antibiotics whose removal from aquatic environments has been the subject of extensive research. Lastly, a few representative publications were identified that provide specific information on the removal rates attained by each technique. This review provides evidence that biosorption of antibiotic residues from biological waste using natural biosorbent materials is an affordable and effective technique for eliminating antibiotic residues from wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barkha Madhogaria
- Department of Microbiology, Techno India University, West Bengal, EM-4 Sector-V, Salt Lake City, Kolkata 700091, West Bengal, India
| | - Sangeeta Banerjee
- Department of Microbiology, Techno India University, West Bengal, EM-4 Sector-V, Salt Lake City, Kolkata 700091, West Bengal, India
- Department of Chemistry, Techno India University, West Bengal, EM-4 Sector-V, Salt Lake City, Kolkata 700091, West Bengal, India
| | - Atreyee Kundu
- Department of Microbiology, Techno India University, West Bengal, EM-4 Sector-V, Salt Lake City, Kolkata 700091, West Bengal, India
| | - Prasanta Dhak
- Department of Chemistry, Techno India University, West Bengal, EM-4 Sector-V, Salt Lake City, Kolkata 700091, West Bengal, India
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Xu M, Gao P, Chen HQ, Shen XX, Xu RZ, Cao JS. Metagenomic insight into the prevalence and driving forces of antibiotic resistance genes in the whole process of three full-scale wastewater treatment plants. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 344:118369. [PMID: 37356328 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
The spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) is an emerging global health concern, and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), as an essential carrier for the occurrence and transmission of ARGs, deserves more attention. Based on the Illumina NovaSeq high-throughput sequencing platform, this study conducted a metagenomic analysis of 18 samples from three full-scale WWTPs to explore the fate of ARGs in the whole process (influent, biochemical treatment, advanced treatment, and effluent) of wastewater treatment. Total 70 ARG subtypes were detected, among which multidrug, aminoglycoside, tetracycline, and macrolide ARGs were most abundant. The different treatment processes used for three WWTPs were capable of reducing ARG diversity, but did not significantly reduce ARG abundance. Compared to that by denitrification filters, the membrane bioreactor (MBR) process was advantageous in controlling the prevalence of multidrug ARGs in WWTPs. Linear discriminant analysis Effect Size (LEfSe) suggested g_Nitrospira, g_Curvibacter, and g_Mycobacterium as the key bacteria responsible for differential ARG prevalence among different WWTPs. Meanwhile, adeF, sul1, and mtrA were the persistent antibiotic resistance genes (PARGs) and played dominant roles in the prevalence of ARGs. Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were the host bacteria of majority ARGs in WWTPs, while Pseudomonas and Nitrospira were the most crucial host bacteria influencing the dissemination of critical ARGs (e.g., adeF). In addition, microbial richness was determined to be the decisive factor affecting the diversity and abundance of ARGs in wastewater treatment processes. Overall, regulating the abundance of microorganisms and key host bacteria by selecting processes with microbial interception, such as MBR process, may be beneficial to control the prevalence of ARGs in WWTPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Xu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
| | - Peng Gao
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
| | - Hao-Qiang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
| | - Xiao-Xiao Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Hydrology-Water Resources and Hydraulic Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China.
| | - Run-Ze Xu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
| | - Jia-Shun Cao
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
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Zhao M, Zhou X, Li Z, Xu G, Li S, Feng R, Xia D. The dynamics and removal efficiency of antibiotic resistance genes by UV-LED treatment: An integrated research on single- or dual-wavelength irradiation. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 263:115212. [PMID: 37418945 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance has gained increasing attention, because of the awareness of its potential health risks. Strategies for the removal of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are urgently required. In the present study, UV-LEDs at wavelength of 265 and 285 nm were integrated at five conditions, including single 265 nm UV-LED, single 285 nm UV-LED, and combined 265 nm and 285 nm UV-LED at different intensities, to remove tet A, cat 1, and amp C. The ARGs removal efficiency, gene behavior, and possible cellular mechanism were analyzed using real-time quantitative PCR, flow cytometry, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The 265 nm UV-LED is more effective than the 285 nm UV-LED and their combinations in terms of ARGs control, in which 1.91, 1.71, and 1.45 log were removed for tet A, cat 1, and amp C, respectively, at a UV dosage of 500 mJ/cm2. The intracellular gene leakage was detected in all five UV-LED experiment scenarios even when the cell membrane damage was insignificant with the highest increase of 0.69 log ARGs. ROS was generated during the irradiation, and the ROS was strongly negative correlated with intracellular ARGs, which could promote the degradation and removal of ARGs. This study provides a new insight of intracellular ARGs removal, because direct irradiation, ROS oxidation, and leakage to the extracellular serve as the three main pathways under high-dosage UV-LED irradiation. Further research should be focused on the mechanism and optimization of UV technology with 265 nm UV-LED for ARG control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meijuan Zhao
- University of Science and Technology Beijing, School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Xiaoqin Zhou
- University of Science and Technology Beijing, School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, Beijing 100083, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology (Sun Yat-sen University), PR China.
| | - Zifu Li
- University of Science and Technology Beijing, School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, Beijing 100083, PR China.
| | - Guotao Xu
- University of Science and Technology Beijing, School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Songwei Li
- University of Science and Technology Beijing, School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Rui Feng
- University of Science and Technology Beijing, School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Dehua Xia
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology (Sun Yat-sen University), PR China
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6
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Collivignarelli MC, Gomez FH, Caccamo FM, Sorlini S. Reduction of pathogens in greywater with biological and sustainable treatments selected through a multicriteria approach. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:38239-38254. [PMID: 36580251 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-24827-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Non-potable reuse of greywater (GW) can represent a valid alternative to freshwater consumption, satisfying the Sustainable Development Goals promoted by United Nations. The Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) was applied to select the most suitable processes for the reduction of microbiological contamination in GW. A pilot plant, including horizontal flow constructed wetland (CW) and anaerobic filtration (AF) in parallel, best treatment options according to MCA results, was built to treat GW collected from a Venezuelan family. (i) The removal efficiency of microbiological parameters, and (ii) the turbidity as possible microbiological contamination indicator and possible influence factor of disinfection treatment, were investigated. Except for Escherichia coli (4.1 ± 0.9 log reduction with AF), CW achieved the best reductions yields for total coliforms, faecal coliforms, and Salmonella, respectively equal to 3.1 ± 0.5 log, 4.3 ± 0.5 log, and 2.9 ± 0.4 log. In accordance with Venezuelan legislation and WHO guidelines, GW treated with CW was found to be suitable for irrigation reuse for non-edible crops. However, the reduction of pathogens by CW should be considered as a preliminary and not complete disinfection treatment. To reuse GW, especially in the irrigation of edible crops, stronger disinfection treatment should be considered as a complement to the preliminary disinfection performed by CW, to avoid any kind of risk. No significant correlation was found for turbidity either as a possible predictor of microbiological contamination or as an influence on biological disinfection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cristina Collivignarelli
- Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 3, 27100, Pavia, Italy
- Interdepartmental Centre for Water Research, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 3, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Franco Hernan Gomez
- Department of Civil, Environmental, Architectural Engineering and Mathematics, University of Brescia, Via Branze 43, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Francesca Maria Caccamo
- Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 3, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
| | - Sabrina Sorlini
- Department of Civil, Environmental, Architectural Engineering and Mathematics, University of Brescia, Via Branze 43, 25123, Brescia, Italy
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Machado EC, Freitas DL, Leal CD, de Oliveira AT, Zerbini A, Chernicharo CA, de Araújo JC. Antibiotic resistance profile of wastewater treatment plants in Brazil reveals different patterns of resistance and multi resistant bacteria in final effluents. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 857:159376. [PMID: 36240935 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are recognized as important sources of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria (ARBs) and Antibiotic Resistant Genes (ARGs), and might play a role in the removal and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the environment. Detailed information about AMR removal by the different treatment technologies commonly applied in urban WWTPs is needed. This study investigated the occurrence, removal and characterization of ARBs in WWTPs employing different technologies: WWTP-A (conventional activated sludge-CAS), WWTP-B (UASB reactor followed by biological trickling filter) and WWTP-C (modified activated sludge followed by UV disinfection-MAS/UV). Samples of raw sewage (RI) and treated effluent (TE) were collected and, through the cultivation-based method using 11 antibiotics, the antibiotic resistance profiles were characterized in a one-year period. MAS was effective in reducing ARB counts (2 to 3 log units), compared to CAS (1 log unit) and UASB/BTF (0.5 log unit). The composition of cultivable ARB differed between RI and TE samples. Escherichia was predominant in RI (56/118); whilst in TE Escherichia (31/118) was followed by Bacillus (22/118), Shigella (14/118) and Enterococcus (14/118). Most of the isolates identified (370/394) harboured at least two ARGs and in over 80 % of the isolates, 4 or more ARG (int1, blaTEM, TetA, sul1 and qnrB) were detected. A reduction in the resistance prevalence was observed in effluents after CAS and MAS processes; whilst a slight increase was observed in treated effluents from UASB/BTF and after UV disinfection stage. The multi-drug resistance (MDR) phenotype was attributed to 84.3 % of the isolates from RI (27/32) and 63.6 % from TE (21/33) samples and 52.3 % of the isolates (34/65) were resistant to carbapenems (imipenem, meropenem, ertapenem). The results indicate that treated effluents are still a source for MDR bacteria and ARGs dissemination to aquatic environments. The importance of biological sewage treatment was reinforced by the significant reductions in ARB counts observed. However, implementation of additional treatments is needed to mitigate MDR bacteria release into the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elayne Cristina Machado
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Deborah Leroy Freitas
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Cintia Dutra Leal
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Amanda Teodoro de Oliveira
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Adriana Zerbini
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Carlos Augusto Chernicharo
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Juliana Calábria de Araújo
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
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Sun G, Zhang Q, Dong Z, Dong D, Fang H, Wang C, Dong Y, Wu J, Tan X, Zhu P, Wan Y. Antibiotic resistant bacteria: A bibliometric review of literature. Front Public Health 2022; 10:1002015. [PMID: 36466520 PMCID: PMC9713414 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1002015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) are a serious threat to the health of people and the ecological environment. With this problem becoming more and more serious, more countries made research on the ARB, and the research number has been sharply increased particularly over the past decade. Therefore, it is quite necessary to globally retrace relevant researches on the ARB published from 2010 to 2020. This will help researchers to understand the current research situation, research trends and research hotspots in this field. This paper uses bibliometrics to examine publications in the field of ARB from 2010 to 2020 that were retrieved from the Web of Science (WOS). Our study performed a statistical analysis of the countries, institutions, journals, authors, research areas, author keywords, Essential Science Indicators (ESI) highly cited papers, and ESI hotspots papers to provide an overview of the ARB field as well as research trends, research hotspots, and future research directions in the field. The results showed that the number of related studies is increasing year by year; the USA is most published in the field of ARB; China is the most active in this field in the recent years; the Chinese Acad Sci published the most articles; Sci. Total Environ. published the greatest number of articles; CM Manaia has the most contributions; Environmental Sciences and Ecology is the most popular research area; and "antibiotic resistance," "antibiotics," and "antibiotic resistance genes" were the most frequently occurring author keywords. A citation analysis showed that aquatic environment-related antibiotic resistance is a key research area in this field, while antimicrobial nanomaterial-related research is a recent popular topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guojun Sun
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zuojun Dong
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dashun Dong
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hui Fang
- Institute of Information Resource, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chaojun Wang
- Hangzhou Aeronautical Sanatorium for Special Service of Chinese Air Force, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yichen Dong
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
| | - Jiezhou Wu
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xuanzhe Tan
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Peiyao Zhu
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuehua Wan
- Institute of Information Resource, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
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9
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Li S, Ondon BS, Ho SH, Jiang J, Li F. Antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes in wastewater treatment plants: From occurrence to treatment strategies. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 838:156544. [PMID: 35679932 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to discuss the following: (1) occurrence and proliferation of antibiotic resistance in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs); (2) factors influencing antibiotic resistance bacteria and genes in WWTPs; (3) tools to assess antibiotic resistance in WWTPs; (4) environmental contamination of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) from WWTPs; (5) effects of ARB and ARGs from WWTPs on human health; and (6) treatment strategies. In general, resistant and multi-resistant bacteria, including Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli, exist in various processes of WWTPs. The existence of ARB and ARGs results from the high concentration of antibiotics in wastewater, which promote selective pressures on the local bacteria present in WWTPs. Thus, improving wastewater treatment technology and avoiding the misuse of antibiotics is critical to overcoming the threat of proliferation of ARBs and ARGs. Numerous factors can affect the development of ARB and ARGs in WWTPs. Abiotic factors can affect the bacterial community dynamics, thereby, affecting the applicability of ARB during the wastewater treatment process. Furthermore, the organic loads and other nutrients influence bacterial survival and growth. Specifically, molecular methods for the rapid characterization and detection of ARBs or their genes comprise DNA sequencing, real-time PCR, simple and multiplex PCR, and hybridization-based technologies, including micro- and macro-arrays. The reuse of effluent from WWTPs for irrigation is an efficient method to overcome water scarcity. However, there are also some potential environmental risks associated with this practice, such as increase in the levels of antibiotic resistance in the soil microbiome. Human mortality rates may significantly increase, as ARB can lead to resistance among several types of antibiotics or longer treatment times. Some treatment technologies, such as anaerobic and aerobic treatment, coagulation, membrane bioreactors, and disinfection processes, are considered potential techniques to restrict antibiotic resistance in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengnan Li
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China; State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province 150090, China
| | - Brim Stevy Ondon
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Shih-Hsin Ho
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province 150090, China
| | - Jiwei Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Fengxiang Li
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China.
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Lu J, Yuan Q, Wang X, Gong L, An X, Liu J. Antibiotics and microbial community-induced antibiotic-resistant genes distribution in soil and sediment in the eastern coastline of China. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2022; 194:607. [PMID: 35867174 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-022-10295-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The health risk of antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs) has been a global concern, while the report on occurrence and prevalence of ARGs in coastal zone is relatively scarce. This study investigated typical ARGs in soil and sediment in coastal line of eastern China and assessed its relationship with antibiotics and heavy metals as well as microbial community. Results showed that eight ARGs were all detected in the samples, and β-lactam resistance gene blaTEM reached the highest absolute abundance (6.28 × 107 ~ 6.48 × 108 copies/g) and relative abundance (2.3 × 10-2 copies/16S rRNA) among samples. Amoxicillin and tetracycline were most frequently detected with the average concentration of 2.28 μg/kg and 3.48 μg/kg, respectively. Cr and Zn were found to be most abundant heavy metals with average value of 82.1 and 59.1 mg/kg, respectively. Proteobacteria, Campilobacterota, Bacteroidota, and Firmicutes were dominant phyla in most samples, while bacterial community varied significantly among samples. Redundancy analyses (RDA) showed that microbial community and antibiotics (amoxicillin and tetracycline) were driving factors of ARGs distribution, while heavy metals were not significantly correlated with ARGs. This study is helpful to understand the fate of ARGs in coastal zone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiarui Lu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, China
- Nanjing Foreign Language School, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Qingbin Yuan
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, China
| | - Xiaolin Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, China
| | - Lulin Gong
- Nanjing Foreign Language School, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Xinyi An
- Nanjing Foreign Language School, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Jiayang Liu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, China.
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11
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Yu D, Ryu K, Zhi S, Otto SJG, Neumann NF. Naturalized Escherichia coli in Wastewater and the Co-evolution of Bacterial Resistance to Water Treatment and Antibiotics. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:810312. [PMID: 35707173 PMCID: PMC9189398 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.810312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance represents one of the most pressing concerns facing public health today. While the current antibiotic resistance crisis has been driven primarily by the anthropogenic overuse of antibiotics in human and animal health, recent efforts have revealed several important environmental dimensions underlying this public health issue. Antibiotic resistant (AR) microbes, AR genes, and antibiotics have all been found widespread in natural environments, reflecting the ancient origins of this phenomenon. In addition, modern societal advancements in sanitation engineering (i.e., sewage treatment) have also contributed to the dissemination of resistance, and concerningly, may also be promoting the evolution of resistance to water treatment. This is reflected in the recent characterization of naturalized wastewater strains of Escherichia coli-strains that appear to be adapted to live in wastewater (and meat packing plants). These strains carry a plethora of stress-resistance genes against common treatment processes, such as chlorination, heat, UV light, and advanced oxidation, mechanisms which potentially facilitate their survival during sewage treatment. These strains also carry an abundance of common antibiotic resistance genes, and evidence suggests that resistance to some antibiotics is linked to resistance to treatment (e.g., tetracycline resistance and chlorine resistance). As such, these naturalized E. coli populations may be co-evolving resistance against both antibiotics and water treatment. Recently, extraintestinal pathogenic strains of E. coli (ExPEC) have also been shown to exhibit phenotypic resistance to water treatment, seemingly associated with the presence of various shared genetic elements with naturalized wastewater E. coli. Consequently, some pathogenic microbes may also be evolving resistance to the two most important public health interventions for controlling infectious disease in modern society-antibiotic therapy and water treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Yu
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Antimicrobial Resistance – One Health Consortium, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Kanghee Ryu
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Antimicrobial Resistance – One Health Consortium, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Shuai Zhi
- School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Simon J. G. Otto
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Antimicrobial Resistance – One Health Consortium, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Human-Environment-Animal Transdisciplinary Antimicrobial Resistance Research Group, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Healthy Environments, Centre for Health Communities, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Norman F. Neumann
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Antimicrobial Resistance – One Health Consortium, Calgary, AB, Canada
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12
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Shi J, Wang B, Li X, Su Y, Wu D, Xie B. Distinguishing removal and regrowth potential of antibiotic resistance genes and antibiotic resistant bacteria on microplastics and in leachate after chlorination or Fenton oxidation. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 430:128432. [PMID: 35158247 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of antibiotic resistance, as well as microplastics (MPs) as vectors for antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) has attracting growing attention. However, the fate of ARB/ARGs on MPs treated by chlorination and Fenton oxidation were poorly understood. Herein, the removal and regrowth of ARGs/ARB on MPs and in MPs-surrounding landfill leachate (an important reservoir of MPs and ARGs) after chlorination and Fenton oxidation were comparatively analyzed. Target ARGs on MPs were reduced obviously less than that in leachate, with the largest percentages reduction of 34.0-46.3% vs. 54.3-77.6% after chlorination and 92.1-97.3% vs. > 99.9% after Fenton oxidation, and similar removal patterns were observed for ARB. Moreover, a considerable regrowth of ARGs/ARB in leachate were found after 48 h of storage at the end of chlorination (5, 10, 20 and 50 mg/L), and a greater regrowth of ARGs and ARB occurred on MPs with up to 17 and 139 fold, respectively. In contrast, Fenton oxidation achieved a reduced regrowth of target ARGs/ARB. These findings indicated that the removal of ARGs/ARB on MPs were more difficult than that in leachate, and ARGs/ARB in leachate and especially on MPs exhibited a considerable potential for rapid regrowth after chlorination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhong Shi
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Biotransformation of Organic Solid Waste, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, PR China; College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, PR China
| | - Binghan Wang
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Biotransformation of Organic Solid Waste, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, PR China; Shanghai Key Lab for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, PR China
| | - Xunan Li
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Biotransformation of Organic Solid Waste, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, PR China; Shanghai Key Lab for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, PR China
| | - Yinglong Su
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Biotransformation of Organic Solid Waste, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, PR China; Shanghai Key Lab for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, PR China.
| | - Dong Wu
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Biotransformation of Organic Solid Waste, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, PR China; Shanghai Key Lab for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Bing Xie
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Biotransformation of Organic Solid Waste, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, PR China; Shanghai Key Lab for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, PR China.
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13
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Baquero F, Martínez JL, F. Lanza V, Rodríguez-Beltrán J, Galán JC, San Millán A, Cantón R, Coque TM. Evolutionary Pathways and Trajectories in Antibiotic Resistance. Clin Microbiol Rev 2021; 34:e0005019. [PMID: 34190572 PMCID: PMC8404696 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00050-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Evolution is the hallmark of life. Descriptions of the evolution of microorganisms have provided a wealth of information, but knowledge regarding "what happened" has precluded a deeper understanding of "how" evolution has proceeded, as in the case of antimicrobial resistance. The difficulty in answering the "how" question lies in the multihierarchical dimensions of evolutionary processes, nested in complex networks, encompassing all units of selection, from genes to communities and ecosystems. At the simplest ontological level (as resistance genes), evolution proceeds by random (mutation and drift) and directional (natural selection) processes; however, sequential pathways of adaptive variation can occasionally be observed, and under fixed circumstances (particular fitness landscapes), evolution is predictable. At the highest level (such as that of plasmids, clones, species, microbiotas), the systems' degrees of freedom increase dramatically, related to the variable dispersal, fragmentation, relatedness, or coalescence of bacterial populations, depending on heterogeneous and changing niches and selective gradients in complex environments. Evolutionary trajectories of antibiotic resistance find their way in these changing landscapes subjected to random variations, becoming highly entropic and therefore unpredictable. However, experimental, phylogenetic, and ecogenetic analyses reveal preferential frequented paths (highways) where antibiotic resistance flows and propagates, allowing some understanding of evolutionary dynamics, modeling and designing interventions. Studies on antibiotic resistance have an applied aspect in improving individual health, One Health, and Global Health, as well as an academic value for understanding evolution. Most importantly, they have a heuristic significance as a model to reduce the negative influence of anthropogenic effects on the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- F. Baquero
- Department of Microbiology, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Ramón y Cajal Institute for Health Research (IRYCIS), Network Center for Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - J. L. Martínez
- National Center for Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - V. F. Lanza
- Department of Microbiology, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Ramón y Cajal Institute for Health Research (IRYCIS), Network Center for Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Central Bioinformatics Unit, Ramón y Cajal Institute for Health Research (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - J. Rodríguez-Beltrán
- Department of Microbiology, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Ramón y Cajal Institute for Health Research (IRYCIS), Network Center for Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - J. C. Galán
- Department of Microbiology, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Ramón y Cajal Institute for Health Research (IRYCIS), Network Center for Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - A. San Millán
- National Center for Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - R. Cantón
- Department of Microbiology, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Ramón y Cajal Institute for Health Research (IRYCIS), Network Center for Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - T. M. Coque
- Department of Microbiology, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Ramón y Cajal Institute for Health Research (IRYCIS), Network Center for Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
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14
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Cheng X, Xu J, Smith G, Nirmalakhandan N, Zhang Y. Metagenomic profiling of antibiotic resistance and virulence removal: Activated sludge vs. algal wastewater treatment system. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 295:113129. [PMID: 34182338 PMCID: PMC8338905 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Conventional activated sludge-based (CAS) wastewater treatment plants are known to be a source of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence genes (VGs). As an alternative, a single-step mixotrophic algal wastewater treatment (A-WWT) system is proposed here to effectively reduce ARGs and VGs in the final effluent while meeting all the discharge standards. In this study, we applied the metagenomic profiling approach to compare the A-WWT system against the CAS system in terms of removal efficacy of ARG and VGs. A total of 111 ARG and 93 VG subtypes belonging to 10 antibiotic resistant classes and 19 virulence classes were detected in this study. Although the CAS system reduced the relative abundance of most classes of ARGs (7 of 10) and VGs (11 of 19), 3 ARG classes and 7 VG classes had increased abundances. On the other hand, the A-WWT system reduced the relative abundance of all classes of ARGs and VGs, and effectively eliminated most subtypes of ARGs and VGs. In the CAS system, the bacterial genera carrying ARGs and VGs was expanded, and the diversity index was increased greatly, suggesting the occurrence of horizontal gene transfer (HGT). In contrast, the A-WWT system narrowed down the potential host range and decreased their diversity substantially. Results of this study highlight the potential risk of ARGs and VGs in CAS system and demonstrate the feasibility of the algal-based system in removing ARGs and VGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxiao Cheng
- Civil Engineering Department, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, 88003, USA
| | - Jiannong Xu
- Biology Department, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, 88003, USA
| | - Geoffrey Smith
- Biology Department, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, 88003, USA
| | | | - Yanyan Zhang
- Civil Engineering Department, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, 88003, USA.
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15
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Lin X, Ruan J, Huang L, Zhao J, Xu Y. Comparison of the elimination effectiveness of tetracycline and AmpC β-lactamase resistance genes in a municipal wastewater treatment plant using four parallel processes. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2021; 30:1586-1597. [PMID: 33245461 PMCID: PMC7692429 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-020-02306-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Municipal wastewater treatment plants (mWWTPs), considered reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), are selected to compare the contributions of technology and process to ARG removal. Fifteen ARGs (tetA, tetB, tetC, tetE, tetG, tetL, tetM, tetO, tetQ, tetS, tetX, MOX, CIT, EBC, and FOX) and two integron genes (intI1, intI2) were tracked and detected in wastewater samples from a large-scale mWWTP with four parallel processes, including three biological technologies of AAO (anaerobic-anoxic-oxic), AB (adsorption-biodegradation), and UNITANK, two different disinfection technologies, and two primary sedimentation steps. The results showed that ARGs were widely detected, among which tetA and tetM had the highest detection rate at 100%. AAO was the most effective process in removing ARGs, followed by the AB and UNITANK processes, where the separation step was critical: 37.5% AmpC β-lactamase genes were reduced by the secondary clarifier. UV disinfection was more efficient than chlorination disinfection by 47.0% in ARG removal. Both disinfection and primary sedimentation processes could effectively remove integrons, and the swirling flow grit chamber was a more effective primary settling facility in total ARG removal than the aerated grit chamber. The tet genes and AmpC β-lactamase genes were significantly correlated with the water quality indexes of BOD5, CODCr, SS, TP, TOC, pH and NH4+-N (p < 0.05). In addition, the correlation between efflux pump genes and AmpC β-lactamase genes was strongly significant (r2 = 0.717, p < 0.01). This study provides a more powerful guide for selecting and designing treatment processes in mWWTPs with additional consideration of ARG removal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojun Lin
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jingjing Ruan
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Lu Huang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jianbin Zhao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yanbin Xu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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16
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Feng T, Su W, Zhu J, Yang J, Wang Y, Zhou R, Yu Q, Li H. Corpse decomposition increases the diversity and abundance of antibiotic resistance genes in different soil types in a fish model. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 286:117560. [PMID: 34438490 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
As a common natural phenomenon, corpse decomposition may lead to serious environmental pollution such as nitrogen pollution. However, less is known about antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), an emerging contaminant, during corpse degradation. Here, ARGs and microbiome in three soil types (black, red and yellow soil) have been investigated between experimental and control groups based on next-generation sequencing and high-throughput quantitative PCR techniques. We found that the absolute abundance of total ARGs and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) in the experimental groups were respectively enriched 536.96 and 240.60 times in different soil types, and the number of ARGs in experimental groups was 7-25 more than that in control groups. For experimental groups, the distribution of ARGs was distinct in different soil types, but sulfonamide resistance genes were always enriched. Corpse decomposition was a primary determinant for ARGs profiles. Microbiome, NH4+ concentrates and pH also significantly affected ARGs profiles. Nevertheless, soil types had few effects on ARGs. For soil microbiome, some genera were elevated in experimental groups such as the Ignatzschineria and Myroides. The alpha diversity is decreased in experimental groups and microbial community structures are different between treatments. Additionally, the Escherichia and Neisseria were potential pathogens elevated in experimental groups. Network analysis indicated that most of ARGs like sulfonamide and multidrug resistance genes presented strong positively correlations with NH4+ concentrates and pH, and some genera like Ignatzschineria and Dysgonomonas were positively correlated with several ARGs such as aminoglycoside and sulfonamide resistance genes. Our study reveals a law of ARGs' enrichment markedly during corpse decomposing in different soil types, and these ARGs contaminant maintaining in environment may pose a potential threat to environmental safety and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianshu Feng
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Wanghong Su
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Jianxiao Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Pastoral, Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730020, China
| | - Jiawei Yang
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Yijie Wang
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Rui Zhou
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Qiaoling Yu
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Huan Li
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China; Center for Grassland Microbiome, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
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17
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Rolbiecki D, Harnisz M, Korzeniewska E, Buta M, Hubeny J, Zieliński W. Detection of carbapenemase-producing, hypervirulent Klebsiella spp. in wastewater and their potential transmission to river water and WWTP employees. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2021; 237:113831. [PMID: 34455199 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2021.113831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) release drug-resistant microorganisms to water bodies (with effluents), and WWTP employees are exposed to bioaerosol emissions from the processed wastewater. Bacteria of the genus Klebsiella, in particular carbapenemase-producing (CP), hyper-virulent (Hvr) strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae, play a special role in this process. Klebsiella spp. strains isolated from wastewater, river water and the upper respiratory tract of WWTP employees were analyzed in this study. The isolated strains were identified as K. pneumoniae (K. pn) or K. non-pneumoniae (K. npn). The prevalence of nine types of genes encoding resistance to beta-lactams, nine genes encoding virulence factors and K1/K2 capsular serotypes, three genes encoding multi drug effluent pump systems, and the class 1 integron-integrase gene was determined by PCR. A total of 284 Klebsiella spp. isolates were obtained in the study: 270 environmental strains and 14 strains from the upper respiratory tract. Among environmental isolates 90.7% (245/270) harbored beta-lactam resistance genes, 17.4% (47/270) were classified as CP strains, 11.1% (30/270) were classified as Hvr strains, and 1.9% (5/270) were classified as CP-Hvr strains. CP-Hvr strains were also isolated from WWTP employees. Genes encoding β-lactamases (including carbapenemases), complete efflux pump systems and the K1 serotype were identified more frequently in K. pn strains. In turn, K. npn strains were characterized by a higher prevalence of blaSHV and intI1 genes and K2 serotype gene. The strains isolated from wastewater and river water also differed in the abundance of drug resistance and virulence genes. The results of the study indicate that CP-Hvr K. pn strains are possibly transmitted from wastewater via bioareosol to the upper respiratory tract of WWTP employees. blaGES-type carbapenemases significantly contributed to the spread of drug resistance in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damian Rolbiecki
- Department of Water Protection Engineering and Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Prawocheńskiego St. 1, 10-719, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Monika Harnisz
- Department of Water Protection Engineering and Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Prawocheńskiego St. 1, 10-719, Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Ewa Korzeniewska
- Department of Water Protection Engineering and Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Prawocheńskiego St. 1, 10-719, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Martyna Buta
- Department of Water Protection Engineering and Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Prawocheńskiego St. 1, 10-719, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Jakub Hubeny
- Department of Water Protection Engineering and Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Prawocheńskiego St. 1, 10-719, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Wiktor Zieliński
- Department of Water Protection Engineering and Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Prawocheńskiego St. 1, 10-719, Olsztyn, Poland
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18
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Zhou X, Tian C, Zhao M, Yu P, Zheng T, Li Z, Wang H. Removal of tetracycline-resistant Escherichia coli and its genes through ultrasound treatment combined with ultraviolet light emitting diodes. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 197:111007. [PMID: 33716032 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance has gained increasing attention worldwide, and wastewater treatment plants have been regarded as hotspots for antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs). In this study, we evaluated the removal of tetracycline-resistant Escherichia coli and its related genes through ultrasound (US) treatment with different input levels of US-specific energy combined with ultraviolet light emitting diodes (UV-LEDs). Simultaneous US with UV-LEDs effectively eliminated tetracycline-resistant E. coli with the normal suggested UV-LEDs dosage (below 30 mJ/cm2). The removal efficiency increased with the addition of US (specific input energy of 8-16 kJ/L), and simultaneous US treatment with UV-LEDs was relatively more effective than US pretreatment. Analyses of cell damage by K+ leakage and flow cytometry showed that the cell wall kept its integrity during the applied treatment conditions. Consequently, the removal efficiencies of 16 S rRNA, tet M, and tet Q were unsatisfactory because less than 1 log reduction was achieved. Increasing the US energy remarkably damaged the cell wall and potentially promoted the reaction. The removal of ARGs increased four times when using US-specific input energy at 330 kJ/L with 5 mJ/cm2 compared with UV-LEDs alone. The US treatment combined with UV-LEDs is a novel process that does not require chemicals. Results of this research can provide theoretical support for the removal of ARGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqin Zhou
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, PR China.
| | - Chenxin Tian
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, PR China; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China
| | - Meijuan Zhao
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, PR China
| | - Peng Yu
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, PR China
| | - Tianlong Zheng
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 18 Shuangqing Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100085, PR China
| | - Zifu Li
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, PR China
| | - Hongwu Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China
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19
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Guo B, Yu N, Weissbrodt DG, Liu Y. Effects of micro-aeration on microbial niches and antimicrobial resistances in blackwater anaerobic digesters. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 196:117035. [PMID: 33751974 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Anaerobic digestion (AD) of source-diverted blackwater (toilet flush) at ambient room temperature presents challenges for fast hydrolysis of particulate matters. This study investigated the effect of different micro-aeration dosages for blackwater AD. Sequencing batch reactors were operated at ambient room temperature (22 ± 1°C) with micro-aeration (0, 5, 10, 50, and 150 mg O2 g-1 CODfeed per cycle) and gradually reduced hydraulic retention times from 5 d to 2 d. The methanogenesis efficiencies were greater at low oxygen dosages (i.e., 0, 5, 10) while the volatile fatty acids (VFAs) accumulated more at high oxygen dosages (i.e., 50, 150). Microbial communities were significantly different under different oxygen dosages (p<0.05), with segregation of microbial ecological niches in low and high oxygen dosage communities. The low-oxygen-dosage niche (0, 5, and 10 mg g-1 CODfeed) was inhabited by fermenting and syntrophic bacteria (e.g., Cytophaga, Syntrophomonas) and methanogens (e.g., Methanobacterium, Methanolinea, Methanosaeta). The high-oxygen-dosage niche (50 and 150 mg g-1 CODfeed) had significantly (p<0.05) more facultative anaerobic bacteria (Ignavibacteriales and Cloacamonales), and aerobic bacteria (Rhodocyclales). Moreover, blackwater can be a source of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), which are affected by different oxygen dosages. The ARG variation correlated with the microbial community composition (p<0.05). Low-oxygen-dosage communities contained a higher prevalence of mobile gene elements (intI1 and korB) and tetM, ermB, sul1, sul2, and blaCTX-M than the high-oxygen-dosage communities, indicating that oxygen dosage influenced the prevalence of populations carrying ARGs. These findings suggest that application of micro-aeration to AD can be used to control ARG profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Guo
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 1H9, Canada; Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
| | - Najiaowa Yu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - David G Weissbrodt
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 1H9, Canada.
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Comparison of bacterial communities and antibiotic resistance genes in oxidation ditches and membrane bioreactors. Sci Rep 2021; 11:8955. [PMID: 33903636 PMCID: PMC8076264 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88335-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidation ditches (ODs) and membrane bioreactors (MBRs) are widely used in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) with bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) running through the whole system. In this study, metagenomic sequencing was used to compare the bacterial communities and ARGs in the OD and MBR systems, which received the same influent in a WWTP located in Xinjiang, China. The results showed that the removal efficiency of pollutants by the MBR process was better than that by the OD process. The composition and the relative abundance of bacteria in activated sludge were similar at the phylum and genus levels and were not affected by process type. Multidrug, fluoroquinolones and peptides were the main ARG types for the two processes, with macB being the main ARG subtype, and the relative abundance of ARG subtypes in MBR effluent was much higher than that in the OD effluent. The mobile genetic elements (MGEs) in the activated sludge were mainly transposons (tnpA) and insertion sequences (ISs; IS91). These results provide a theoretical basis for process selection and controlling the spread of ARGs.
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21
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Yang F, Tian X, Han B, Zhao R, Li J, Zhang K. Tracking high-risk β-lactamase gene (bla gene) transfers in two Chinese intensive dairy farms. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 274:116593. [PMID: 33548670 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Extended-spectrum β-lactam antibiotics are critically important antibiotics for humans, but their use in food-animals poses a potential threat for public health. This paper addressed the occurrence of high-risk β-lactamase genes (bla genes) in intensive dairy farms, and assessed the effects of different waste treatment technologies at dairies on the propagation and dissemination of bla genes. Results showed that ESBL genes (blaTEM-1, blaOXA-1), ampC β-lactamase genes (blaampC) and carbapenemase genes (blaGES-1, blaNDM) were prevalent in dairy cow waste, and even prevailed through each processing stage of solid manure and dairy wastewater. Significant levels of bla genes were present in the final lagoon (from 104 to 106 copies/mL, representing from 10% to 151%, of raw influent levels), raising the possibility of dissemination to the receiving environment. This concern was validated by the investigation on farmland that had long-term undergone wastewater irrigation, where causing an increase in bla gene levels in soils (approximately 1-3 orders of magnitude). More troublesomely, considerable levels of certain bla genes were still observed in the bedding material (up to 105 and 107 copies/g), which would directly threaten the dairy cow health. Otherwise, correlation analysis showed that both bacterial community and environmental factors played important roles in the bla genes abundances in dairy farms. This study demonstrated the prevalence of high-risk bla genes in dairy farms, and also underscored that dairy waste was a non-ignored great source of multidrug resistance for their surroundings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengxia Yang
- Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tianjin, 300191, China
| | - Xueli Tian
- Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tianjin, 300191, China
| | - Bingjun Han
- Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tianjin, 300191, China
| | - Run Zhao
- Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tianjin, 300191, China
| | - Jiajia Li
- Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tianjin, 300191, China
| | - Keqiang Zhang
- Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tianjin, 300191, China.
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22
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Honda R, Tachi C, Noguchi M, Yamamoto-Ikemoto R, Watanabe T. Fate and seasonal change of Escherichia coli resistant to different antibiotic classes at each stage of conventional activated sludge process. JOURNAL OF WATER AND HEALTH 2020; 18:879-889. [PMID: 33328360 DOI: 10.2166/wh.2020.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the impact of each treatment stage of the activated sludge process on the fate of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Wastewater and sludge samples were collected monthly at each stage of a commercial-scale WWTP. After 20-25 strains of indicator Escherichia coli were isolated from each sample on Chromocult Coliform Agar, antibiotic resistance of the isolates to amoxicillin (AMX), ciprofloxacin (CIP), norfloxacin (NFX), kanamycin (KM), sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (ST) and tetracycline (TC) were tested with the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. As a result, activated sludge in the aeration tank and return sludge had higher abundance of antibiotic resistant E. coli than influent wastewater and secondary treatment effluent. AMX resistant E. coli was enriched in return sludge at the secondary clarifier. Higher temperature was also likely to cause an increase of AMX resistant E. coli in sludge. The antibiotic resistance profile of E. coli in secondary treatment effluent was more dependent on activated sludge than influent wastewater. These results suggested that activated sludge in WWTP possibly serves as a reservoir of ARB, and that behavior of ARB in WWTP differs by antibiotic classes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Honda
- Faculty of Geosciences and Civil Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan E-mail: ; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Chihiro Tachi
- Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Mana Noguchi
- Faculty of Agriculture, Ibaraki University, Inashiki, Japan
| | - Ryoko Yamamoto-Ikemoto
- Faculty of Geosciences and Civil Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan E-mail:
| | - Toru Watanabe
- Faculty of Agriculture, Yamagata University, Tsuruoka, Japan
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Thornton CN, Tanner WD, VanDerslice JA, Brazelton WJ. Localized effect of treated wastewater effluent on the resistome of an urban watershed. Gigascience 2020; 9:5992824. [PMID: 33215210 PMCID: PMC7677451 DOI: 10.1093/gigascience/giaa125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Wastewater treatment is an essential tool for maintaining water quality in urban environments. While the treatment of wastewater can remove most bacterial cells, some will inevitably survive treatment to be released into natural environments. Previous studies have investigated antibiotic resistance within wastewater treatment plants, but few studies have explored how a river’s complete set of antibiotic resistance genes (the “resistome") is affected by the release of treated effluent into surface waters. Results Here we used high-throughput, deep metagenomic sequencing to investigate the effect of treated wastewater effluent on the resistome of an urban river and the downstream distribution of effluent-associated antibiotic resistance genes and mobile genetic elements. Treated effluent release was found to be associated with increased abundance and diversity of antibiotic resistance genes and mobile genetic elements. The impact of wastewater discharge on the river’s resistome diminished with increasing distance from effluent discharge points. The resistome at river locations that were not immediately downstream from any wastewater discharge points was dominated by a single integron carrying genes associated with resistance to sulfonamides and quaternary ammonium compounds. Conclusions Our study documents variations in the resistome of an urban watershed from headwaters to a major confluence in an urban center. Greater abundances and diversity of antibiotic resistance genes are associated with human fecal contamination in river surface water, but the fecal contamination effect seems to be localized, with little measurable effect in downstream waters. The diverse composition of antibiotic resistance genes throughout the watershed suggests the influence of multiple environmental and biological factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher N Thornton
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, 257 South 1400 East, Rm. 201, 84112, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Windy D Tanner
- Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah, 257 South 1400 East, Rm. 201, 84112, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - James A VanDerslice
- Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah, 257 South 1400 East, Rm. 201, 84112, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - William J Brazelton
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, 257 South 1400 East, Rm. 201, 84112, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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24
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Choi S, Shin J, Chae KJ, Kim YM. Mitigation via physiochemically enhanced primary treatment of antibiotic resistance genes in influent from a municipal wastewater treatment plant. Sep Purif Technol 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2020.116946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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25
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Niestępski S, Harnisz M, Ciesielski S, Korzeniewska E, Osińska A. Environmental fate of Bacteroidetes, with particular emphasis on Bacteroides fragilis group bacteria and their specific antibiotic resistance genes, in activated sludge wastewater treatment plants. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2020; 394:122544. [PMID: 32224375 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.122544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the activated sludge process on the abundance of anaerobic bacteria of the phylum Bacteroidetes, with special emphasis on Bacteroides fragilis group (BFG) bacteria, in twelve full-scale wastewater treatment plants. The composition of bacterial phyla and classes in wastewater samples were analyzed by next-generation sequencing. The presence of specific to BFG bacteria genes and the abundance of ARGs and genes encoding class 1 integrase in wastewater samples were determined by qPCR. Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes were dominant bacterial phyla in wastewater samples. Next-generation sequencing revealed similar proportions of Bacteroidia (<1.0-8.2 % of all bacteria) in wastewater influents and effluents, which suggest that these microorganisms are not completely eliminated in the activated sludge process. The average copy numbers of specific to BFG bacteria gene, were 106, and 104 copies in 1 mL of wastewater influents and effluents, respectively. The results revealed a correlation between the abundance of BFG bacteria and BFG-specific genes encoding resistance to antibiotics. The observed changes in the prevalence of BFG-specific genes and ARGs in untreated and treated wastewater indicate that the activated sludge process decreases the number of gene copies in the effluent evacuated to the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Niestępski
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Prawocheńskiego 1, 10-720, Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Monika Harnisz
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Prawocheńskiego 1, 10-720, Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Sławomir Ciesielski
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Słoneczna 45G, 10-719, Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Ewa Korzeniewska
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Prawocheńskiego 1, 10-720, Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Adriana Osińska
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Prawocheńskiego 1, 10-720, Olsztyn, Poland.
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26
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Yuan QB, Zhai YF, Mao BY, Schwarz C, Hu N. Fates of antibiotic resistance genes in a distributed swine wastewater treatment plant. WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH : A RESEARCH PUBLICATION OF THE WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION 2019; 91:1565-1575. [PMID: 31004530 DOI: 10.1002/wer.1125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
This study explores the prevalence, emission, and reduction of five ARGs (sulI, tetA, mphB, qnrD, and mcr-1) and integron (intI) through a distributed swine wastewater purification facility and the effluent-receiving environment. Typical metal resistance genes (MRGs), pathogenic bacterial indicators, the bacterial community, and wastewater properties were also explored to determine their effects on the fates of ARGs. Results indicated that the purification process could hardly effectively remove ARGs' prevalence. 3.1 × 104 -7.1 × 108 copies/L were present after purification, and 4%-57% of them persisted in the subsequent creek and adjacent soil. 16S rRNA sequencing suggested that the discharge of wastewater significantly changed the bacterial community in receiving creek and soil. Molecular ecological networks analysis detected the wide co-occurrence among ARGs, MRGs, and PBGs, which could further facilitate the propagation of antibiotic resistance. ARG incidence and specific bacterial genera were closely correlated, suggesting an extensive hosting relationship. Redundancy analyses showed wastewater organics and nutrients showed positive correlation to most ARGs' abundance, but negatively correlated to their relative abundance. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Fate of five ARGs and intI was studied in a swine wastewater treatment system. The treatment process could not effectively reduce ARGs' abundance. ARGs and pathogens in wastewater were transferred to the receiving creek and soil. The network analysis found wide co-occurrence among ARGs, metal resistance genes, and pathogens. Wastewater nutrients positively correlated to ARG's abundance but negatively correlated to their relative abundance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Bin Yuan
- College of Environment Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yi-Fan Zhai
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
| | - Bu-Yun Mao
- College of Environment Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
| | - Cory Schwarz
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Nan Hu
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
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27
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Pei M, Zhang B, He Y, Su J, Gin K, Lev O, Shen G, Hu S. State of the art of tertiary treatment technologies for controlling antibiotic resistance in wastewater treatment plants. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 131:105026. [PMID: 31351383 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.105026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) have been considered as emerging contaminants of concern nowadays. There are no special technologies designed to directly remove ARGs in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). In order to reduce the risk of ARGs, it is vital to understand the efficiency of advanced treatment technologies in removing antibiotic resistance genes in WWTPs. This review highlights the application and efficiency of tertiary treatment technologies on the elimination of ARGs, s, based on an understanding of their occurrence and fate in WWTPs. These technologies include chemical-based processes such as chlorination, ozonation, ultraviolet, and advanced oxidation technology, as well as physical separation processes, biological processes such as constructed wetland and membrane bioreactor, and soil aquifer treatment. The merits, limitations and ameliorative measures of these processes are discussed, with the view to optimizing future treatment strategies and identifying new research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengke Pei
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
| | - Yiliang He
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Jianqiang Su
- Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1799 Jimei Road, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Karina Gin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 1 Engineering Drive 2, Singapore 117576, Singapore
| | - Ovadia Lev
- The Casali Center and the Institute of Chemistry and The Harvey M. Krueger Family Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Genxiang Shen
- Shanghai Academy of Environmental Sciences, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Shuangqing Hu
- Shanghai Academy of Environmental Sciences, Shanghai 200233, China
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28
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Vikesland P, Garner E, Gupta S, Kang S, Maile-Moskowitz A, Zhu N. Differential Drivers of Antimicrobial Resistance across the World. Acc Chem Res 2019; 52:916-924. [PMID: 30848890 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.8b00643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the greatest threats faced by humankind. The development of resistance in clinical and hospital settings has been well documented ever since the initial discovery of penicillin and the subsequent introduction of sulfonamides as clinical antibiotics. In contrast, the environmental (i.e., community-acquired) dimensions of resistance dissemination have been only more recently delineated. The global spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) between air, water, soil, and food is now well documented, while the factors that affect ARB and ARG dissemination (e.g., water and air quality, antibiotic fluxes, urbanization, sanitation practices) in these and other environmental matrices are just now beginning to be more fully appreciated. In this Account, we discuss how the global perpetuation of resistance is dictated by highly interconnected socioeconomic risk factors and illustrate that development status should be more fully considered when developing global strategies to address AMR. We first differentiate low to middle income countries (LMICs) and high-income countries (HICs), then we summarize the modes of action of commercially available antibiotics, and then discuss the four primary mechanisms by which bacteria develop resistance to those antibiotics. Resistance is disseminated via both vertical gene transfer (VGT; parent to offspring) as well as by horizontal gene transfer (HGT; cell to cell transference of genetic material). A key challenge hindering attempts to control resistance dissemination is the presence of native, environmental bacteria that can harbor ARGs. Such environmental "resistomes" have potential to transfer resistance to pathogens via HGT. Of particular concern is the development of resistance to antibiotics of last-resort such as the cephalosporins, carbapenems, and polymyxins. We then illustrate how antibiotic use differs in LMICs relative to HICs in terms of the volumes of antibiotics used and their fate within local environments. Antibiotic use in HICs has remained flat over the past 15 years, while in LMICs use over the same period has increased substantially as a result of economic improvements and changes in diet. These use and fate differences impact local citizens and thus the local dissemination of AMR. Various physical, social, and economic circumstances within LMICs potentially favor AMR dissemination. We focus on three physical factors: changing population density, sanitation infrastructure, and solid-waste disposal. We show that high population densities in cities within LMICs that suffer from poor sanitation and solid-waste disposal can potentially impact the dissemination of resistance. In the final section, we discuss potential monitoring approaches to quantify the spread of resistance both within LMICs as well as in HICs. We posit that culture-based approaches, molecular approaches, and cutting-edge nanotechnology-based methods for monitoring ARB and ARGs should be considered both within HICs and, as appropriate, within LMICs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Vikesland
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
- Virginia Tech Global Change Center and Virginia Tech Institute of Critical Technology and Applied Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Emily Garner
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Suraj Gupta
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Seju Kang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Ayella Maile-Moskowitz
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Ni Zhu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
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29
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Petrovich M, Chu B, Wright D, Griffin J, Elfeki M, Murphy BT, Poretsky R, Wells G. Antibiotic resistance genes show enhanced mobilization through suspended growth and biofilm-based wastewater treatment processes. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2019. [PMID: 29534199 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiy041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are known to harbor antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) that are disseminated into the environment via effluent. However, few studies have compared abundance, mobilization and selective pressures for ARGs in WWTPs as a function of variations in secondary treatment bioprocesses. We used shotgun metagenomics to provide a comprehensive analysis of ARG composition, relationship to mobile genetic elements and co-occurrences with antibiotic production genes (APGs) throughout two full-scale municipal WWTPs, one of which employs biofilm-based secondary treatment and another that uses a suspended growth system. Results showed that abundances of ARGs declined by over 90% per genome equivalent in both types of wastewater treatment processes. However, the fractions of ARGs associated with mobile genetic elements increased substantially between influent and effluent in each plant, indicating significant mobilization of ARGs throughout both treatment processes. Strong positive correlations between ARGs and APGs were found for the aminoglycoside antibiotic class in the suspended growth system and for the streptogramin antibiotic class in the biofilm system. The biofilm and suspended growth WWTPs exhibited similarities in ARG abundances, composition and mobilization trends. However, clear differences were observed for within-plant ARG persistence. These findings suggest that both biofilm and suspended growth-based WWTPs may promote genetic mobilization of persistent ARGs that are then disseminated in effluent to receiving water bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan Petrovich
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Binh Chu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry & Pharmacognosy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Dorothy Wright
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Jim Griffin
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Maryam Elfeki
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry & Pharmacognosy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Brian T Murphy
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry & Pharmacognosy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Rachel Poretsky
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - George Wells
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
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30
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Hao H, Shi DY, Yang D, Yang ZW, Qiu ZG, Liu WL, Shen ZQ, Yin J, Wang HR, Li JW, Wang H, Jin M. Profiling of intracellular and extracellular antibiotic resistance genes in tap water. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2019; 365:340-345. [PMID: 30448547 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2018.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2018] [Revised: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) have gained global attention due to their public health threat. Extracelluar ARGs (eARGs) can result in the dissemination of antibiotic resistance via free-living ARGs in natural environments, where they promote ARB transmission in drinking water distribution systems. However, eARG pollution in tap water has not been well researched. In this study, concentrations of eARGs and intracellular ARGs (iARGs) in tap water, sampled at Tianjin, China, were investigated for one year. Fourteen eARG types were found at the highest concentration of 1.3 × 105 gene copies (GC)/L. TetC was detected in 66.7% of samples, followed by sul1, sul2, and qnrA with the same detection frequency of 41.7%. Fifteen iARGs (including tetA, tetB, tetM, tetQ, tetX, sul1, sul2, sul3, ermB, blaTEM, and qnrA) were continuously detected in all collected tap water samples with sul1 and sul2 the most abundant. Additionally, both eARG and iARG concentrations in tap water presented a seasonal pattern with most abundant prevalence in summer. The concentration of observed intracellular sulfonamide resistance genes showed a significantly positive correlation with total nitrogen concentrations. This study suggested that eARG and iARG pollution of drinking water systems pose a potential risk to human public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Hao
- School of Environment Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Dan-Yang Shi
- Department of Environment and Health, Tianjin Institute of Environmental & Operational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment & Food Safety, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Dong Yang
- Department of Environment and Health, Tianjin Institute of Environmental & Operational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment & Food Safety, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Zhong-Wei Yang
- Department of Environment and Health, Tianjin Institute of Environmental & Operational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment & Food Safety, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Zhi-Gang Qiu
- Department of Environment and Health, Tianjin Institute of Environmental & Operational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment & Food Safety, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Wei-Li Liu
- Department of Environment and Health, Tianjin Institute of Environmental & Operational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment & Food Safety, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Shen
- Department of Environment and Health, Tianjin Institute of Environmental & Operational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment & Food Safety, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Jing Yin
- Department of Environment and Health, Tianjin Institute of Environmental & Operational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment & Food Safety, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Hua-Ran Wang
- Department of Environment and Health, Tianjin Institute of Environmental & Operational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment & Food Safety, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Jun-Wen Li
- Department of Environment and Health, Tianjin Institute of Environmental & Operational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment & Food Safety, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Hui Wang
- School of Environment Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
| | - Min Jin
- Department of Environment and Health, Tianjin Institute of Environmental & Operational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment & Food Safety, Tianjin, 300050, China.
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Li B, Qiu Y, Li J, Liang P, Huang X. Removal of antibiotic resistance genes in four full-scale membrane bioreactors. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 653:112-119. [PMID: 30408659 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.10.305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Revised: 10/21/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) discharged through wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) has aroused growing public concern for its risk to human health and ecological safety. Membrane bioreactor (MBR) has been recognized as an effective approach to remove ARGs in full-scale WWTPs, but its advantage over traditional processes was not clearly quantified. To address this, we investigated four full-scale WWTPs containing parallel MBR and traditional processes (oxidation ditch or sequencing batch reactor) to compare the reduction of eight types of ARGs (blaTEM, ermB, tetW, tetO, sul1, sul2, addD, and qnrS) and int1. In general, MBRs reduced the ARGs (1.1-7.3 log removal) better than parallel processes (0.4-4.2 log removal). Notably, the dominant ARGs in the influent, such as ermB, sul1 and int1 (106.39-107.79 copies/mL), were more effectively reduced by MBRs (1.5-7.3 log removal) than traditional processes (0.8-3.4 log removal). Meanwhile, the distribution of those ARGs in activated sludge was not significantly different between aforementioned processes (p > 0.05). The separation coefficient (Ksw) was proposed to represent the contribution of solid separation on ARG removal, subsequent analysis revealed surprisingly strong correlation between Ksw values of dominant ARGs (ermB, sul1 and int1) and their log removal by MBR (R = 0.79-0.96, p < 0.05), while such correlation was much weaker in traditional process (R = 0.33-0.37), indicating solid separation was the major pathway for removal of dominant ARGs and int1. According to the canonical correlation analysis between process operation and ARG removal in MBR, sludge retention time (SRT) seemed to be the major factor affecting removal of dominant ARGs and int1. This comparative study can be helpful for further understanding and operating MBR process to reduce the ARGs in effluent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Li
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China; State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
| | - Yong Qiu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
| | - Ji Li
- School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province 214122, China
| | - Peng Liang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xia Huang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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Wang RN, Zhang Y, Cao ZH, Wang XY, Ma B, Wu WB, Hu N, Huo ZY, Yuan QB. Occurrence of super antibiotic resistance genes in the downstream of the Yangtze River in China: Prevalence and antibiotic resistance profiles. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 651:1946-1957. [PMID: 30321718 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.10.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Revised: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The super antibiotic resistance genes (SARGs) demonstrate more severe threats than other antibiotic resistance genes while have not received enough attention in the environment. The study explored the prevalence and the antibiotic tolerance profiles of two typical SARGs, MCR-1 and NDM-1, and their hosting bacteria in the downstream of the Yangtze River and the nearby wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and drinking water treatment plant (DWTP). Results indicated that MCR-1 and NDM-1 were prevalent in the influent and biological units of the WWTP. Their hosting bacteria were effectively removed, but 2.49 × 108 copies/L MCR-1 and 7.00 × 106 copies/L NDM-1 were still persistent in the effluent. In the Yangtze River, MCR-1 and NDM-1 were detected with higher abundance and antibiotic tolerance than the WWTP effluent and were significantly affected by nearby water contamination and human activities. In the DWTP, MCR-1 and NDM-1 were detected with average values 5.56 × 107 copies/L and 2.14 × 105 copies/L in the influent. Their hosting bacteria were undetectable in the effluent, but the two SARGs were still persistent with 1.39 × 107 copies/L and 6.29 × 104 copies/L, and were greatly enriched in the sludge. Molecular ecological networks demonstrated wide hosting relationships between MCR-1/NDM-1 and bacteria community in the DWTP. Redundancy analysis found that MCR-1 positively correlated with COD and NH3-N, while negatively correlated with turbidity. Additionally, MCR-1 hosting bacteria positively correlated with NO3--N and negatively correlated with COD and NH3-N. NDM-1 positively correlated with turbidity and NDM-1 hosting bacteria positively correlated with COD and NO2--N. The study demonstrated that the WWTP could not effectively remove SARGs with high amount of them being discharged into the Yangtze River. Then they were transported into the DWTP and the persistent SARGs in the effluent would probably be transferred into human, thus imposing great threats on public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruo-Nan Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, PR China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, PR China
| | - Zhen-Hua Cao
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, PR China
| | - Xin-Yu Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, PR China
| | - Ben Ma
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, PR China
| | - Wen-Bin Wu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, PR China
| | - Nan Hu
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, PR China
| | - Zheng-Yang Huo
- Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control State Key Joint Laboratory, State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Microorganism Application and Risk Control (SMARC), School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China
| | - Qing-Bin Yuan
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, PR China.
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Petrovich ML, Rosenthal AF, Griffin JS, Wells GF. Spatially resolved abundances of antibiotic resistance genes and intI1 in wastewater treatment biofilms. Biotechnol Bioeng 2018; 116:543-554. [PMID: 30512194 DOI: 10.1002/bit.26887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Revised: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Attached growth bioprocesses that use biofilms to remove organic matter or nutrients from wastewater are known to harbor antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Biofilms in these processes are spatially heterogeneous, but little is known about depth stratification of ARGs in complex, mixed culture biofilms. To address this knowledge gap, we used an experimental approach combining cryosectioning and quantitative polymerase chain reaction to quantify the spatial distribution of three ARGs (sul1, ermB, and qnrS) and the class 1 integron-integrase gene intI1 in biofilms from a lab-scale rotating annular reactor fed with synthetic wastewater. We also used high throughput 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing to characterize community structure with depth in biofilms. The ARG sul1 and the integron-integrase gene intI1 were found in higher abundances in upper layers of biofilm near the fluid-biofilm interface than in lower layers and exhibited significant correlations between the distance from substratum and gene abundances. The genes ermB and qnrS were present in comparatively low relative abundances. Microbial community structure varied significantly by date of sampling and distance from the substratum. These findings highlight the genetic and taxonomic heterogeneity with distance from substratum in wastewater treatment biofilms and show that sul1 and intI1 are particularly abundant near fluid-biofilm interfaces where cells are most likely to detach and flow into downstream portions of treatment systems and can ultimately be released into the environment through effluent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan L Petrovich
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
| | - Alex F Rosenthal
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
| | - James S Griffin
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
| | - George F Wells
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
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34
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Yuan QB, Zhai YF, Mao BY, Hu N. Antibiotic resistance genes and intI1 prevalence in a swine wastewater treatment plant and correlation with metal resistance, bacterial community and wastewater parameters. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2018; 161:251-259. [PMID: 29886312 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.05.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2018] [Revised: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The livestock wastewater treatment plant represents an important reservoir of antibiotic resistance determinants in the environment. The study explored the prevalence of five antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs, including sulI, tetA, qnrD, mphB and mcr-1) and class 1 integron (intI1) in a typical livestock wastewater treatment plant, and analyzed their integrated association with two metal resistance genes (copA and czcA), two pathogens genes (Staphylococcus and Campylobacter), bacterial community and wastewater properties. Results indicated that all investigated genes were detected in the plant. The treatment plant could not completely remove ARGs abundances, with up to 2.2 × 104~3.7 × 108 copies/L of them remaining in the effluent. Mcr-1 was further enriched by 27-fold in the subsequent pond. The correlation analysis showed that mphB significantly correlateed with tetA and intI. Mcr-1 strongly correlated with copA. MphB and intI significantly correlated with czcA. The correlations implied a potential co-selection risk of bacterial resistant to antibiotics and metals. Redundancy analyses indicated that qnrD and mcr-1 strongly correlated with 13 and 14 bacterial genera, respectively. Most ARGs positively correlated to wastewater nutrients, indicating that an efficient reduction of wastewater nutrients would contribute to the antibiotic resistance control. The study will provide useful implications on fates and reductions of ARGs in livestock facilities and receiving environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Bin Yuan
- College of Environment Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, 211816 Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yi-Fan Zhai
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, 211816 Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bu-Yun Mao
- College of Environment Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, 211816 Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Nan Hu
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, 211816 Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
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35
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Li M, Hao M, Yang L, Yao H, Bolton JR, Blatchley ER, Qiang Z. Trace Organic Pollutant Removal by VUV/UV/chlorine Process: Feasibility Investigation for Drinking Water Treatment on a Mini-Fluidic VUV/UV Photoreaction System and a Pilot Photoreactor. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:7426-7433. [PMID: 29792423 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b00611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The vacuum-ultraviolet/ultraviolet/chlorine (VUV/UV/chlorine) process, with a VUV/UV mercury lamp used as the light source, was found to be a highly efficient advanced oxidation process (AOP) in a previous study. Hence, its application feasibility for trace organic pollutant removal from drinking water becomes attractive. In this work, a bench-scale mini-fluidic VUV/UV photoreaction system was used to determine the degradation kinetics of sulfamethazine (SMN), a model sulfonamide antibiotic frequently detected with trace levels in aquatic environments. Results indicated that SMN (0.1 mg L-1) could be degraded rapidly by VUV/UV/chlorine, and a synergism was observed between the VUV/UV and UV/chlorine processes. Photon-fluence based rate constants of SMN degradation were determined to be 6.76 × 103 and 8.51 × 103 m2 einstein-1 at chlorine doses of 0.05 and 0.5 mg L-1, respectively. The presence of natural organic matter in real waters significantly inhibited SMN degradation. In addition, pilot tests were conducted to explore the practical performance of the VUV/UV/chlorine process, thereby allowing electrical energy per order to be calculated for cost evaluation. The effect of flow pattern on photoreactor efficiency was also analyzed by computational fluid dynamics simulations. Both bench- and pilot-scale tests have demonstrated that the VUV/UV/chlorine process, as a new AOP, has potential applications to trace organic pollutant removal in small-scale water treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengkai Li
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences , University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences , 18 Shuang-qing Road , Beijing 100085 , China
- Lyles School of Civil Engineering , Purdue University , West Lafayette , Indiana 47907 , United States
| | - Mengyu Hao
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences , University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences , 18 Shuang-qing Road , Beijing 100085 , China
- Department of Municipal and Environmental Engineering , Beijing Jiaotong University , Beijing 100044 , China
| | - Laxiang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences , University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences , 18 Shuang-qing Road , Beijing 100085 , China
| | - Hong Yao
- Department of Municipal and Environmental Engineering , Beijing Jiaotong University , Beijing 100044 , China
| | - James R Bolton
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering , University of Alberta , Edmonton , AB T6G 1H9 , Canada
| | - Ernest R Blatchley
- Lyles School of Civil Engineering , Purdue University , West Lafayette , Indiana 47907 , United States
| | - Zhimin Qiang
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences , University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences , 18 Shuang-qing Road , Beijing 100085 , China
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36
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Garner E, Chen C, Xia K, Bowers J, Engelthaler DM, McLain J, Edwards MA, Pruden A. Metagenomic Characterization of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Full-Scale Reclaimed Water Distribution Systems and Corresponding Potable Systems. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:6113-6125. [PMID: 29741366 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b05419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Water reclamation provides a valuable resource for meeting nonpotable water demands. However, little is known about the potential for wastewater reuse to disseminate antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Here, samples were collected seasonally in 2014-2015 from four U.S. utilities' reclaimed and potable water distribution systems before treatment, after treatment, and at five points of use (POU). Shotgun metagenomic sequencing was used to profile the resistome (i.e., full contingent of ARGs) of a subset ( n = 38) of samples. Four ARGs ( qnrA, blaTEM, vanA, sul1) were quantified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Bacterial community composition (via 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing), horizontal gene transfer (via quantification of intI1 integrase and plasmid genes), and selection pressure (via detection of metals and antibiotics) were investigated as potential factors governing the presence of ARGs. Certain ARGs were elevated in all ( sul1; p ≤ 0.0011) or some ( blaTEM, qnrA; p ≤ 0.0145) reclaimed POU samples compared to corresponding potable samples. Bacterial community composition was weakly correlated with ARGs (Adonis, R2 = 0.1424-0.1734) and associations were noted between 193 ARGs and plasmid-associated genes. This study establishes that reclaimed water could convey greater abundances of certain ARGs than potable waters and provides observations regarding factors that likely control ARG occurrence in reclaimed water systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Garner
- Via Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering , Virginia Tech , Blacksburg , Virginia 24061 , United States
| | - Chaoqi Chen
- Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences , Virginia Tech , Blacksburg , Virginia 24061 , United States
| | - Kang Xia
- Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences , Virginia Tech , Blacksburg , Virginia 24061 , United States
| | - Jolene Bowers
- Translational Genomics Research Institute , Flagstaff , Arizona 86005 , United States
| | - David M Engelthaler
- Translational Genomics Research Institute , Flagstaff , Arizona 86005 , United States
| | - Jean McLain
- Water Resources Research Center , University of Arizona , Tucson , Arizona 85719 , United States
| | - Marc A Edwards
- Via Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering , Virginia Tech , Blacksburg , Virginia 24061 , United States
| | - Amy Pruden
- Via Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering , Virginia Tech , Blacksburg , Virginia 24061 , United States
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37
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Liu SS, Qu HM, Yang D, Hu H, Liu WL, Qiu ZG, Hou AM, Guo J, Li JW, Shen ZQ, Jin M. Chlorine disinfection increases both intracellular and extracellular antibiotic resistance genes in a full-scale wastewater treatment plant. WATER RESEARCH 2018; 136:131-136. [PMID: 29501757 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.02.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 204] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Revised: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance has posed a major threat to both human health and environmental ecosystem. Although the disinfection has been proved to be efficient to control the occurrence of pathogens, little effort is dedicated to revealing potential impacts of disinfection on transmission of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), particularly for free-living ARGs in final disinfected effluent of urban wastewater treatment plants (UWWTP). Here, we investigated the effects of chlorine disinfection on the occurrence and concentration of both extracellular ARGs (eARGs) and intracellular ARGs (iARGs) in a full-scale UWWTP over a year. We reported that the concentrations of both eARGs and iARGs would be increased by the disinfection with chlorine dioxide (ClO2). Specifically, chlorination preferentially increased the abundances of eARGs against macrolide (ermB), tetracycline (tetA, tetB and tetC), sulfonamide (sul1, sul2 and sul3), β-lactam (ampC), aminoglycosides (aph(2')-Id), rifampicin (katG) and vancomycin (vanA) up to 3.8 folds. Similarly, the abundances of iARGs were also increased up to 7.8 folds after chlorination. In terms of correlation analyses, the abundance of Escherichia coli before chlorination showed a strong positive correlation with the total eARG concentration, while lower temperature and higher ammonium concentration were assumed to be associated with the concentration of iARGs. This study suggests the chlorine disinfection could increase the abundances of both iARGs and eARGs, thereby posing risk of the dissemination of antibiotic resistance in environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan-Shan Liu
- Department of Environment and Health, Tianjin Institute of Environmental & Operational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment & Food Safety, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Hong-Mei Qu
- College of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Dong Yang
- Department of Environment and Health, Tianjin Institute of Environmental & Operational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment & Food Safety, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Hui Hu
- Department of Environment and Health, Tianjin Institute of Environmental & Operational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment & Food Safety, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Wei-Li Liu
- Department of Environment and Health, Tianjin Institute of Environmental & Operational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment & Food Safety, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Zhi-Gang Qiu
- Department of Environment and Health, Tianjin Institute of Environmental & Operational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment & Food Safety, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Ai-Ming Hou
- Department of Environment and Health, Tianjin Institute of Environmental & Operational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment & Food Safety, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Jianhua Guo
- Advanced Water Management Centre (AWMC), The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Jun-Wen Li
- Department of Environment and Health, Tianjin Institute of Environmental & Operational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment & Food Safety, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Shen
- Department of Environment and Health, Tianjin Institute of Environmental & Operational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment & Food Safety, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Min Jin
- Department of Environment and Health, Tianjin Institute of Environmental & Operational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment & Food Safety, Tianjin, 300050, China.
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38
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Reusing Treated Wastewater: Consideration of the Safety Aspects Associated with Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Antibiotic Resistance Genes. WATER 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/w10030244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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39
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Turolla A, Cattaneo M, Marazzi F, Mezzanotte V, Antonelli M. Antibiotic resistant bacteria in urban sewage: Role of full-scale wastewater treatment plants on environmental spreading. CHEMOSPHERE 2018; 191:761-769. [PMID: 29080537 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.10.099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Revised: 10/01/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The presence of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) in wastewater was investigated and the role of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in promoting or limiting antibiotic resistance was assessed. Escherichia coli (E. coli) and total heterotrophic bacteria (THB) resistance to ampicillin, chloramphenicol and tetracycline was monitored in three WWTPs located in Milan urban area (Italy), differing among them for the operating parameters of biological process, for the disinfection processes (based on sodium hypochlorite, UV radiation, peracetic acid) and for the discharge limits to be met. Wastewater was collected from three sampling points along the treatment sequence (WWTP influent, effluent from sand filtration, WWTP effluent). Antibiotic resistance to ampicillin was observed both for E. coli and for THB. Ampicillin resistant bacteria in the WWTP influents were 20-47% of E. coli and 16-25% of THB counts. A limited resistance to chloramphenicol was observed only for E. coli, while neither for E. coli nor for THB tetracycline resistance was observed. The biological treatment and sand filtration led to a decrease in the maximum percentage of ampicillin-resistant bacteria (20-29% for E. coli, 11-21% for THB). However, the conventionally adopted parameters did not seem adequate to support an interpretation of WWTP role in ARB spread. Peracetic acid was effective in selectively acting on antibiotic resistant THB, unlike UV radiation and sodium hypochlorite. The low counts of E. coli in WWTP final effluents in case of agricultural reuse did not allow to compare the effect of the different disinfection processes on antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Turolla
- Politecnico di Milano, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering - Environmental Section, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - M Cattaneo
- Politecnico di Milano, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering - Environmental Section, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - F Marazzi
- Università degli Studi di Milano Bicocca, DISAT, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - V Mezzanotte
- Università degli Studi di Milano Bicocca, DISAT, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - M Antonelli
- Politecnico di Milano, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering - Environmental Section, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy.
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40
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Lamba M, Ahammad SZ. Performance comparison of secondary and tertiary treatment systems for treating antibiotic resistance. WATER RESEARCH 2017; 127:172-182. [PMID: 29049966 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2017.10.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Revised: 10/10/2017] [Accepted: 10/11/2017] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Rapid emergence of antibiotic resistance (AR) in developing countries is posing a greater health risk and increasing the global disease burden. AR proliferation mediated by treated/untreated discharges from sewage treatment plants (STPs) is a prime public health concern. Efficient sewage treatment is among our key defenses against the dissemination of infectious diseases. The present study aims to estimate the efficiency of aerobic [activated sludge process (ASP) and modified trickling filter (MTF)] and anaerobic reactors (anaerobic flow-through reactor) along with the three disinfection techniques (UV, ozone and chlorination) in reducing ARB and ARGs present in the domestic sewage. The three treatment systems were operated at different HRTs for 1 year and their performances in terms of treatment of conventional and emerging pollutants (ARB and ARGs) were assessed. The results indicated higher removal of ARB and ARGs in aerobic reactors compared to anaerobic reactor. Treatment studies in various bioreactors showed that the use of MTF along with UV/Ozone was superior to ASP and anaerobic flow-through reactor in reducing both the conventional and emerging pollutants. However, higher reduction of the pollutants was observed at higher HRTs. Though complete removal of coliforms and ARB was observed by treating the wastewater using MTF followed by UV or ozone but substantial levels of ARGs were observed in the effluent. Therefore, different advanced and effective treatment technologies such as filtration (RO), use of zero valent iron, TiO2 photocatalysis and other strong oxidizing agents which can ensure complete removal of ARGs along with ARB need to be evaluated. Though addition of these units will increase the treatment cost, but the increased cost would be negligible compared to the present disease burden of AR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manisha Lamba
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, India
| | - Shaikh Ziauddin Ahammad
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, India.
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