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Sivalingam P, Sabatino R, Sbaffi T, Corno G, Fontaneto D, Borgomaneiro G, Rogora M, Crotti E, Mapelli F, Borin S, Pilar AL, Eckert EM, Di Cesare A. Anthropogenic pollution may enhance natural transformation in water, favouring the spread of antibiotic resistance genes. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 475:134885. [PMID: 38876022 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134885] [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: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Aquatic ecosystems are crucial in the antimicrobial resistance cycle. While intracellular DNA has been extensively studied to understand human activity's impact on antimicrobial resistance gene (ARG) dissemination, extracellular DNA is frequently overlooked. This study examines the effect of anthropogenic water pollution on microbial community diversity, the resistome, and ARG dissemination. We analyzed intracellular and extracellular DNA from wastewater treatment plant effluents and lake surface water by shotgun sequencing. We also conducted experiments to evaluate anthropogenic pollution's effect on transforming extracellular DNA (using Gfp-plasmids carrying ARGs) within a natural microbial community. Chemical analysis showed treated wastewater had higher anthropogenic pollution-related parameters than lake water. The richness of microbial community, antimicrobial resistome, and high-risk ARGs was greater in treated wastewaters than in lake waters both for intracellular and extracellular DNA. Except for the high-risk ARGs, richness was significantly higher in intracellular than in extracellular DNA. Several ARGs were associated with mobile genetic elements and located on plasmids. Furthermore, Gfp-plasmid transformation within a natural microbial community was enhanced by anthropogenic pollution levels. Our findings underscore anthropogenic pollution's pivotal role in shaping microbial communities and their antimicrobial resistome. Additionally, it may facilitate ARG dissemination through extracellular DNA plasmid uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Periyasamy Sivalingam
- National Research Council of Italy (CNR) - Water Research Institute (IRSA), Largo Tonolli 50, 28922 Verbania, Italy
| | - Raffaella Sabatino
- National Research Council of Italy (CNR) - Water Research Institute (IRSA), Largo Tonolli 50, 28922 Verbania, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Tomasa Sbaffi
- National Research Council of Italy (CNR) - Water Research Institute (IRSA), Largo Tonolli 50, 28922 Verbania, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Gianluca Corno
- National Research Council of Italy (CNR) - Water Research Institute (IRSA), Largo Tonolli 50, 28922 Verbania, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Diego Fontaneto
- National Research Council of Italy (CNR) - Water Research Institute (IRSA), Largo Tonolli 50, 28922 Verbania, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giulia Borgomaneiro
- National Research Council of Italy (CNR) - Water Research Institute (IRSA), Largo Tonolli 50, 28922 Verbania, Italy
| | - Michela Rogora
- National Research Council of Italy (CNR) - Water Research Institute (IRSA), Largo Tonolli 50, 28922 Verbania, Italy
| | - Elena Crotti
- Department of Food Environmental and Nutritional Sciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Mapelli
- Department of Food Environmental and Nutritional Sciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Borin
- Department of Food Environmental and Nutritional Sciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Lopez Pilar
- Biological Science Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, Jose Antonio Novais 12, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ester M Eckert
- National Research Council of Italy (CNR) - Water Research Institute (IRSA), Largo Tonolli 50, 28922 Verbania, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Andrea Di Cesare
- National Research Council of Italy (CNR) - Water Research Institute (IRSA), Largo Tonolli 50, 28922 Verbania, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy.
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Erler T, Droop F, Lübbert C, Knobloch JK, Carlsen L, Papan C, Schwanz T, Zweigner J, Dengler J, Hoffmann M, Mutters NT, Savin M. Analysing carbapenemases in hospital wastewater: Insights from intracellular and extracellular DNA using qPCR and digital PCR. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 950:175344. [PMID: 39117207 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
The widespread dissemination of carbapenem-resistant bacteria in wastewater systems, particularly from clinical sources, poses a significant public health risk. This study assessed the concentrations and distributions of extracellular DNA (exDNA) and intracellular DNA (iDNA) harboring carbapenemase genes in wastewater from six tertiary care hospitals in Germany. We collected a total of 36 samples, comprising six biological replicates from each hospital, and analysed them using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and digital PCR (dPCR). The analysis targeted seven carbapenemase genes: blaNDM, blaKPC, blaIMP, blaVIM, blaOXA-23-like, blaOXA-48-like, and blaOXA-58-like across both DNA fractions. Our results revealed significant variability in the concentrations of exDNA and iDNA across the sampling sites, with iDNA typically present at higher concentrations. Using NanoDrop One spectrophotometry and the Qubit dsDNA kit, exDNA concentrations ranged from 2.7 to 7.7 ng/mL, while Qubit recorded lower values between 1.1 and 4.0 ng/mL. Conversely, iDNA concentrations were markedly higher, spanning from 42.3 to 191.7 ng/mL with NanoDrop and 12.0 to 46.5 ng/mL with Qubit, highlighting the variability between DNA types and quantification methods. Despite its lower concentrations, exDNA comprised up to 18.2 % of total DNA, highlighting its potential role in the horizontal transfer of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). The study detected target ARGs in both DNA fractions at all sites, with notable differences in their concentrations; iDNA consistently exhibited higher levels of ARGs, with the highest concentrations reaching 10.57 ± 0.20 log gene copies per liter (GC/L) for blaVIM in iDNA and 6.96 ± 0.72 log GC/L for blaIMP in exDNA. dPCR demonstrated greater sensitivity than qPCR, especially effective for detecting low-abundance targets like blaOXA-23-like in the exDNA fraction. Additionally, qPCR's susceptibility to inhibition and contamination emphasizes the superior robustness of dPCR. This research highlights the need for improved monitoring and the implementation of advanced treatment technologies to mitigate ARG dissemination in wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Erler
- Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Felix Droop
- Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Christoph Lübbert
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine I, Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Johannes K Knobloch
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology, and Hygiene, Department for Infection Prevention and Control, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Laura Carlsen
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology, and Hygiene, Department for Infection Prevention and Control, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Cihan Papan
- Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Thomas Schwanz
- Division of Infection Control and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Janine Zweigner
- Department of Hospital Hygiene and Infection Control, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jennifer Dengler
- Integrative Health and Security Management Center, Staff Section Environmental Protection and Sustainability, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Marc Hoffmann
- Integrative Health and Security Management Center, Staff Section Environmental Protection and Sustainability, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Nico T Mutters
- Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Mykhailo Savin
- Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
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3
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Wang S, Tian R, Bi Y, Meng F, Zhang R, Wang C, Wang D, Liu L, Zhang B. A review of distribution and functions of extracellular DNA in the environment and wastewater treatment systems. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 359:142264. [PMID: 38714248 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142264] [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: 02/18/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
Extracellular DNA refers to DNA fragments existing outside the cell, originating from various cell release mechanisms, including active secretion, cell lysis, and phage-mediated processes. Extracellular DNA serves as a vital environmental biomarker, playing crucial ecological and environmental roles in water bodies. This review is summarized the mechanisms of extracellular DNA release, including pathways involving cell lysis, extracellular vesicles, and type IV secretion systems. Then, the extraction and detection methods of extracellular DNA from water, soil, and biofilm are described and analyzed. Finally, we emphasize the role of extracellular DNA in microbial community systems, including its significant contributions to biofilm formation, biodiversity through horizontal gene transfer, and electron transfer processes. This review offers a comprehensive insight into the sources, distribution, functions, and impacts of extracellular DNA within aquatic environments, aiming to foster further exploration and understanding of extracellular DNA dynamics in aquatic environments as well as other environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaopo Wang
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Jinjing Road 26, Tianjin, 300384, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science and Technology, Jinjing Road 26, Tianjin, China
| | - Ruimin Tian
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Jinjing Road 26, Tianjin, 300384, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science and Technology, Jinjing Road 26, Tianjin, China
| | - Yanmeng Bi
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Jinjing Road 26, Tianjin, 300384, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science and Technology, Jinjing Road 26, Tianjin, China
| | - Fansheng Meng
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Jinjing Road 26, Tianjin, 300384, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science and Technology, Jinjing Road 26, Tianjin, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Jinjing Road 26, Tianjin, 300384, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science and Technology, Jinjing Road 26, Tianjin, China
| | - Chenchen Wang
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Jinjing Road 26, Tianjin, 300384, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science and Technology, Jinjing Road 26, Tianjin, China
| | - Dong Wang
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Jinjing Road 26, Tianjin, 300384, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science and Technology, Jinjing Road 26, Tianjin, China
| | - Lingjie Liu
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Jinjing Road 26, Tianjin, 300384, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science and Technology, Jinjing Road 26, Tianjin, China.
| | - Bo Zhang
- Tianjin Eco-City Water Investment and Construction Co. Ltd, Hexu Road 276, Tianjin, 300467, China
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Gao X, Liu Y, Tang C, Lu M, Zou J, Li Z. Evaluating river health through respirogram metrics: Insights from the Weihe River basin, China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 919:170805. [PMID: 38342463 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170805] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
Human activities pose a significant threat to rivers, requiring robust assessment methods for effective river management. This study focuses on the Weihe River Basin in Shaanxi province and introduces the respirogram as an innovative assessment technique. The respirogram allows the simultaneous assessment of river health from two important aspects: pollution levels and microbial status. Specifically, the in-situ respiration ratio (Rs/t) serves as an indicator of pollution, with higher Rs/t values correlating with increased pollution levels. Conversely, the recovery index (RI) measures microbial vitality, with values below 0.15 indicating greater microbial activity and recovery potential. Using predefined thresholds of Rs/t = 0.3 and RI = 0.15, water bodies were categorized into four types. For example, rivers with Rs/t > 0.3 and RI > 0.15 were identified as receiving sewage, characterized by high pollution and low microbial vitality. Similarly, different assessment criteria delineated urban rivers, natural rivers, and wastewater treatment plants. Based on these classifications, targeted engineering measures were proposed to enhance the self-purification capabilities of rivers of different statuses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingdong Gao
- Key Laboratory of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, MOE, School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China; Xi'an Key Laboratory of Intelligent Equipment Technology for Environmental Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China
| | - Yanxia Liu
- Key Laboratory of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, MOE, School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China; Xi'an Key Laboratory of Intelligent Equipment Technology for Environmental Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China
| | - Congcong Tang
- Key Laboratory of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, MOE, School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China; Xi'an Key Laboratory of Intelligent Equipment Technology for Environmental Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China
| | - Meng Lu
- Key Laboratory of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, MOE, School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China; Xi'an Key Laboratory of Intelligent Equipment Technology for Environmental Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China
| | - Jiageng Zou
- Key Laboratory of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, MOE, School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China; Xi'an Key Laboratory of Intelligent Equipment Technology for Environmental Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China
| | - Zhihua Li
- Key Laboratory of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, MOE, School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China; Xi'an Key Laboratory of Intelligent Equipment Technology for Environmental Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China.
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Di Cesare A, Mammola S, Sabatino R, Fontaneto D, Eckert EM, Rogora M, Tonsi T, Corno G. Where do the antibiotic resistance genes come from? A modulated analysis of sources and loads of resistances in Lake Maggiore. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2024; 100:fiae025. [PMID: 38389242 PMCID: PMC10939355 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiae025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are abundant in aquatic ecosystems affected by human activities. Understanding the fate of ARGs across different ecosystems is essential because of the significant role aquatic environments play in the cycle of antibiotic resistance. We quantified selected ARGs in Lake Maggiore, its main tributaries, and the effluent of the main wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) discharging directly into the lake. We linked their dynamics to the different anthropogenic impacts in each tributary's watershed. The dynamics of tetA in the lake were influenced by those of the rivers and the WWTP effluent, and by the concentration of N-NH4, related to anthropogenic pollution, while sul2 abundance in the lake was not influenced by any water inflow. The dynamics of the different ARGs varied across the different rivers. Rivers with watersheds characterized by high population density, touristic activities, and secondary industries released more ARGs, while ermB correlated with higher numbers of primary industries. This study suggests a limited contribution of treated wastewater in the spread of ARGs, indicating as prevalent origin other sources of pollution, calling for a reconsideration on what are considered the major sources of ARGs into the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Di Cesare
- National Research Council of Italy – Water Research Institute (CNR-IRSA), I-28922 Verbania, Italy
| | - Stefano Mammola
- National Research Council of Italy – Water Research Institute (CNR-IRSA), I-28922 Verbania, Italy
- Finnish Museum of Natural History (LUOMUS), University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Raffaella Sabatino
- National Research Council of Italy – Water Research Institute (CNR-IRSA), I-28922 Verbania, Italy
| | - Diego Fontaneto
- National Research Council of Italy – Water Research Institute (CNR-IRSA), I-28922 Verbania, Italy
| | - Ester M Eckert
- National Research Council of Italy – Water Research Institute (CNR-IRSA), I-28922 Verbania, Italy
| | - Michela Rogora
- National Research Council of Italy – Water Research Institute (CNR-IRSA), I-28922 Verbania, Italy
| | - Tiziana Tonsi
- National Research Council of Italy – Water Research Institute (CNR-IRSA), I-28922 Verbania, Italy
| | - Gianluca Corno
- National Research Council of Italy – Water Research Institute (CNR-IRSA), I-28922 Verbania, Italy
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6
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Kong M, Zhang Y, Ma Y, Fang H, Wang W, Shi G, Yan Y, Zhang S. Antibiotics and antibiotic resistance change bacterial community compositions in marine sediments. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 244:118005. [PMID: 38135101 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.118005] [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: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Emerging contaminants, including antibiotics, antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB), and extracellular antibiotic resistance genes (eARGs), have been detected in large numbers in the aquatic environment. The effects of emerging contaminants on bacterial communities in marine sediments are not well studied. In this study, the effects of emerging contaminants (antibiotics, ARB, and eARGs) on the variations of bacterial populations in marine sediments of the Bohai Sea, Yellow Sea, East China Sea, and South China Sea were investigated. The results showed that the abundance of the host bacterial phylum Probacteria in the marine sediments of the Bohai Sea was the lowest among the four seas after exposure to different antibiotics, ARB, and eARGs. The inputs of exogenous antibiotics and resistance genes significantly affected the community function, resulting in significant differences in community abundance at the genus level. The abundance of Halomonas, Sulfitobacter, and Alcanivorax in the four sea areas displayed noteworthy differences in response to the addition of exogenous antibiotics and eARGs. These findings contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the intricate interplay between emerging contaminants and the dynamics of bacterial communities in natural ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Kong
- Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing, 210042, China.
| | - Yu Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment Monitoring and Pollution Control (AEMPC), Collaborative Innovation Center of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology (CIC-AEET), School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, 210044, China
| | - Yan Ma
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment Monitoring and Pollution Control (AEMPC), Collaborative Innovation Center of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology (CIC-AEET), School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, 210044, China
| | - Hao Fang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment Monitoring and Pollution Control (AEMPC), Collaborative Innovation Center of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology (CIC-AEET), School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, 210044, China
| | - Wanzhong Wang
- Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing, 210042, China
| | - Gaoling Shi
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment in Downstream of Yangtze River Plain, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, 210014, China.
| | - Yan Yan
- Centre for Ecology Environment Monitoring and Scientific research, SongLiao River Basin Ecology and Environment Adiministration, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, China
| | - Shuai Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment Monitoring and Pollution Control (AEMPC), Collaborative Innovation Center of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology (CIC-AEET), School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, 210044, China.
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Sabatino R, Sbaffi T, Corno G, Cabello-Yeves PJ, Di Cesare A. The diversity of the antimicrobial resistome of lake Tanganyika increases with the water depth. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 342:123065. [PMID: 38043766 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.123065] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
The presence of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in the microbiome of freshwater communities is a consequence of thousands of years of evolution but also of the pressure exerted by anthropogenic activities, with potential negative impact on environmental and human health. In this study, we investigated the distribution of ARGs in Lake Tanganyika (LT)'s water column to define the resistome of this ancient lake. Additionally, we compared the resistome of LT with that of Lake Baikal (LB), the oldest known lake with different environmental characteristics and a lower anthropogenic pollution than LT. We found that richness and abundance of several antimicrobial resistance classes were higher in the deep water layers in both lakes. LT Kigoma region, known for its higher anthropogenic pollution, showed a greater richness and number of ARG positive MAGs compared to Mahale. Our results provide a comprehensive understanding of the antimicrobial resistome of LT and underscore its importance as reservoir of antimicrobial resistance. In particular, the deepest water layers of LT are the main repository of diverse ARGs, mirroring what was observed in LB and in other aquatic ecosystems. These findings suggest that the deep waters might play a crucial role in the preservation of ARGs in aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaella Sabatino
- National Research Council of Italy - Water Research Institute (CNR-IRSA), Verbania, Italy
| | - Tomasa Sbaffi
- National Research Council of Italy - Water Research Institute (CNR-IRSA), Verbania, Italy
| | - Gianluca Corno
- National Research Council of Italy - Water Research Institute (CNR-IRSA), Verbania, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Di Cesare
- National Research Council of Italy - Water Research Institute (CNR-IRSA), Verbania, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), 90133, Palermo, Italy.
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Sabatino R, Sbaffi T, Sivalingam P, Corno G, Fontaneto D, Di Cesare A. Bacteriophages limitedly contribute to the antimicrobial resistome of microbial communities in wastewater treatment plants. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0110123. [PMID: 37724865 PMCID: PMC10580818 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01101-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages are known as players in the transmission of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) by horizontal gene transfer. In this study, we characterized the bacteriophage community and the associated ARGs to estimate the potential for phages to spread ARGs in aquatic ecosystems analyzing the intra- and extracellular DNA isolated from two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) by shotgun metagenomics. We compared the phage antimicrobial resistome with the bacterial resistome and investigated the effect of the final disinfection treatment on the phage community and its resistome. Phage community was mainly composed by Siphoviridae and other members of the order Caudovirales. The final disinfection only marginally affected the composition of the phage community, and it was not possible to measure its effect on the antimicrobial resistome. Indeed, only three phage metagenome-assembled genomes (pMAGs) annotated as Siphoviridae, Padoviridae, and Myoviridae were positive for putative ARGs. Among the detected ARGs, i.e., dfrB6, rpoB mutants, and EF-Tu mutants, the first one was not annotated in the bacterial MAGs. Overall, these results demonstrate that bacteriophages limitedly contribute to the whole antimicrobial resistome. However, in order to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the antimicrobial resistome within a microbial community, the role of bacteriophages needs to be investigated. IMPORTANCE WWTPs are considered hotspots for the spread of ARGs by horizontal gene transfer. In this study, we evaluated the phage composition and the associated antimicrobial resistome by shotgun metagenomics of samples collected before and after the final disinfection treatment. Only a few bacteriophages carried ARGs. However, since one of the detected genes was not found in the bacterial metagenome-assembled genomes, it is necessary to investigate the phage community in order to gain a comprehensive overview of the antimicrobial resistome. This investigation could help assess the potential threats to human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaella Sabatino
- Molecular Ecology Group (MEG), National Research Council of Italy – Water Research Institute (CNR-IRSA), Verbania, Italy
| | - Tomasa Sbaffi
- Molecular Ecology Group (MEG), National Research Council of Italy – Water Research Institute (CNR-IRSA), Verbania, Italy
| | - Periyasamy Sivalingam
- Molecular Ecology Group (MEG), National Research Council of Italy – Water Research Institute (CNR-IRSA), Verbania, Italy
| | - Gianluca Corno
- Molecular Ecology Group (MEG), National Research Council of Italy – Water Research Institute (CNR-IRSA), Verbania, Italy
| | - Diego Fontaneto
- Molecular Ecology Group (MEG), National Research Council of Italy – Water Research Institute (CNR-IRSA), Verbania, Italy
| | - Andrea Di Cesare
- Molecular Ecology Group (MEG), National Research Council of Italy – Water Research Institute (CNR-IRSA), Verbania, Italy
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