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Thibodeau AJ, Barret M, Mouchet F, Nguyen VX, Pinelli E. The potential contribution of aquatic wildlife to antibiotic resistance dissemination in freshwater ecosystems: A review. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 350:123894. [PMID: 38599270 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123894] [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: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance (AR) is one of the major health threats of our time. The presence of antibiotics in the environment and their continuous release from sewage treatment plants, chemical manufacturing plants and animal husbandry, agriculture and aquaculture, result in constant selection pressure on microbial organisms. This presence leads to the emergence, mobilization, horizontal gene transfer and a selection of antibiotic resistance genes, resistant bacteria and mobile genetic elements. Under these circumstances, aquatic wildlife is impacted in all compartments, including freshwater organisms with partially impermeable microbiota. In this narrative review, recent advancements in terms of occurrence of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes in sewage treatment plant effluents source compared to freshwater have been examined, occurrence of antibiotic resistance in wildlife, as well as experiments on antibiotic exposure. Based on this current state of knowledge, we propose the hypothesis that freshwater aquatic wildlife may play a crucial role in the dissemination of antibiotic resistance within the environment. Specifically, we suggest that organisms with high bacterial density tissues, which are partially isolated from the external environment, such as fishes and amphibians, could potentially be reservoirs and amplifiers of antibiotic resistance in the environment, potentially favoring the increase of the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes and resistant bacteria. Potential avenues for further research (trophic transfer, innovative exposure experiment) and action (biodiversity eco-engineering) are finally proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre J Thibodeau
- CRBE, Centre de Recherche sur la Biodiversité et l'Environnement, UMR5300, 31326 Auzeville-Tolosane, Av. de l'Agrobiopole, France.
| | - Maialen Barret
- CRBE, Centre de Recherche sur la Biodiversité et l'Environnement, UMR5300, 31326 Auzeville-Tolosane, Av. de l'Agrobiopole, France
| | - Florence Mouchet
- CRBE, Centre de Recherche sur la Biodiversité et l'Environnement, UMR5300, 31326 Auzeville-Tolosane, Av. de l'Agrobiopole, France
| | - Van Xuan Nguyen
- CRBE, Centre de Recherche sur la Biodiversité et l'Environnement, UMR5300, 31326 Auzeville-Tolosane, Av. de l'Agrobiopole, France
| | - Eric Pinelli
- CRBE, Centre de Recherche sur la Biodiversité et l'Environnement, UMR5300, 31326 Auzeville-Tolosane, Av. de l'Agrobiopole, France
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2
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Jing K, Li Y, Yao C, Jiang C, Li J. Towards the fate of antibiotics and the development of related resistance genes in stream biofilms. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 898:165554. [PMID: 37454845 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Antibiotics are ubiquitously found in natural surface waters and cause great harm to aquatic organisms. Stream biofilm is a complex and active community composed of algae, bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms, which mainly adheres to solid substances such as rocks and sediments. The durability and diverse structural and metabolic characteristics of biofilms make them a representative of microbial life in aquatic micrecosystems and can reflect major ecosystem processes. Microorganisms and extracellular polymeric substances in biofilms can adsorb and actively accumulate antibiotics. Therefore, biofilms are excellent biological indicators for detecting antibiotic in polluted aquatic environments, but the biotransformation potential of stream biofilms for antibiotics has not been fully explored in the aquatic environment. The characteristics of stream biofilm, such as high abundance and activity of bacterial community, wide contact area with pollutants, etc., which increases the opportunity of biotransformation of antibiotics in biofilm and contribute to bioremediation to improve ecosystem health. Recent studies have demonstrated that both exposure to high and sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations of antibiotics may drive the development of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in natural stream biofilms, which are susceptible to the effects of antibiotic residues, microbial communities and mobile genetic elements, etc. On the basis of peer-reviewed papers, this review explores the distribution behavior of antibiotics in stream biofilms and the contribution of biofilms to the acquisition and spread of antibiotic resistance. Considering that antibiotics and ARGs alter the structure and ecological functions of natural microbial communities and pose a threat to river organisms and human health, our research findings provide comprehensive insights into the migration, transformation, and bioavailability of antibiotics in biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Jing
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, HoHai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Ying Li
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, HoHai University, Nanjing 210098, China.
| | - Chi Yao
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, HoHai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Chenxue Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, HoHai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Jing Li
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, HoHai University, Nanjing 210098, China
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3
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Zhou H, Jiao G, Li X, Gao C, Zhang Y, Hashan D, Liu J, She D. High capacity adsorption of oxytetracycline by lignin-based carbon with mesoporous structure: Adsorption behavior and mechanism. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 234:123689. [PMID: 36801292 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
In this study, an adsorbent with mesoporous structure and PO/PO bonds is prepared by hydrothermal and phosphoric acid activation from industrial alkali lignin for the adsorption of oxytetracycline (OTC). The adsorption capacity is 598 mg/g, which is three times higher than that of the adsorbent with microporous structure. The rich mesoporous structure of the adsorbent provides adsorption channels and filling sites, and π-π attraction, cation-π interaction, hydrogen bonds, and electrostatic attraction provide adsorption forces at the adsorption sites. The removal rate of OTC exceeds 98 % over a wide range of pH values (3-10). It has high selectivity for competing cations in water, with higher than 86.7 % removal rate of OTC from medical wastewater. After 7 consecutive adsorption-desorption cycles, the removal rate of OTC remains as high as 91 %. This efficient removal rate and excellent reusability indicate the strong potential of the adsorbent for industrial applications. This study prepares a highly efficient, environmentally friendly antibiotic adsorbent that can not only efficiently remove antibiotics from water but also recycle industrial alkali lignin waste.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanjun Zhou
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Guangjia Jiao
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Xianzhen Li
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Chunli Gao
- Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Yiru Zhang
- Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Dana Hashan
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Jing Liu
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China.
| | - Diao She
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, CAS&MWR, Yangling 712100, China.
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4
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Matviichuk O, Mondamert L, Geffroy C, Dagot C, Labanowski J. Life in an unsuspected antibiotics world: River biofilms. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 231:119611. [PMID: 36716569 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Waterborne bacteria that naturally live in biofilms are continuously exposed to pharmaceutical residues, regularly released into the freshwater environment. At the source level, the discharge of antibiotics into rivers has already been repeatedly linked to the development of antimicrobial resistance. But what about biofilms away from the discharge point? Two rivers, with sites subject to dispersed contamination of medium intensity, were studied as typical representatives of high- and middle-income countries. The biofilms developed on rocks indigenous to rivers are perfectly representative of environmental exposure. Our results show that away from the hotspots, the amount of antibiotics in the biofilms studied favours the maintenance and enrichment of existing resistant strains as well as the selection of new resistant mutants, and these favourable conditions remain over a period of time. Thus, in this type of river, the environmental risk of selection pressure is not only present downstream of urbanized areas but is also possible upstream and far downstream of wastewater treatment plant discharges. Despite this, correlation analysis found no strong positive correlation between antibiotic concentrations and the abundance of measured integrons and their corresponding resistance genes. Nevertheless, this work highlights the need to consider the risks of antibiotics beyond hotspots as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olha Matviichuk
- Institut de Chimie des Milieux et Matériaux de Poitiers, UMR CNRS 7285, University of Poitiers, France; University of Limoges, Inserm, CHU Limoges, RESINFIT, U 1092, F-87000 Limoges, France
| | - Leslie Mondamert
- Institut de Chimie des Milieux et Matériaux de Poitiers, UMR CNRS 7285, University of Poitiers, France
| | - Claude Geffroy
- Institut de Chimie des Milieux et Matériaux de Poitiers, UMR CNRS 7285, University of Poitiers, France
| | - Christophe Dagot
- University of Limoges, Inserm, CHU Limoges, RESINFIT, U 1092, F-87000 Limoges, France
| | - Jérôme Labanowski
- Institut de Chimie des Milieux et Matériaux de Poitiers, UMR CNRS 7285, University of Poitiers, France.
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5
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Corno G, Ghaly T, Sabatino R, Eckert EM, Galafassi S, Gillings MR, Di Cesare A. Class 1 integron and related antimicrobial resistance gene dynamics along a complex freshwater system affected by different anthropogenic pressures. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 316:120601. [PMID: 36351483 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The risk for human health posed by polluted aquatic environments, and especially those carrying antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) of clinical interest, is still debated. This is because of our limited knowledge of the dynamics of antimicrobial resistance in the environment, the selection mechanisms underlying the spread of ARGs, and the ecological factors potentially favoring their return to humans. The Class 1 integron is one of the most effective platforms for the dissemination of ARGs. In this study we investigated a freshwater system consisting of a lake-river-lake continuum, determining the abundance of class 1 integrons and their associated ARGs by a modulated metagenomic approach. Bacterial abundance and community composition were used to identify the potential carriers of class 1 integrons and their associated ARGs over a period of six months. Class 1 integrons and their ARG cargoes were significantly more abundant in riverine sampling sites receiving treated wastewater. Further, class 1 integrons carried ARGs ranked at the highest risk for human health (e.g., catB genes), in particular, genes encoding resistance to aminoglycosides. Genera of potential pathogens, such as Pseudomonas and Escherichia-Shigella, were correlated with class 1 integrons. The lake-river-lake system demonstrated a clear relationship between the integrase gene of class 1 integrons (intI1) and anthropogenic impact, but also a strong environmental filtering that favored the elimination of intI1 once the human derived stressors were reduced. Overall, the results of this study underline the role class 1 integrons as proxy of anthropogenic pollution and suggest this genetic platform as an important driver of aminoglycoside resistance genes, including high risk ARGs, of potential concern for human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Corno
- National Research Council of Italy - Water Research Institute (CNR-IRSA) Molecular Ecology Group (MEG), Verbania, Italy.
| | - Timothy Ghaly
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology and Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Raffaella Sabatino
- National Research Council of Italy - Water Research Institute (CNR-IRSA) Molecular Ecology Group (MEG), Verbania, Italy
| | - Ester M Eckert
- National Research Council of Italy - Water Research Institute (CNR-IRSA) Molecular Ecology Group (MEG), Verbania, Italy
| | - Silvia Galafassi
- National Research Council of Italy - Water Research Institute (CNR-IRSA) Molecular Ecology Group (MEG), Verbania, Italy
| | - Michael R Gillings
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology and Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Andrea Di Cesare
- National Research Council of Italy - Water Research Institute (CNR-IRSA) Molecular Ecology Group (MEG), Verbania, Italy
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Sanchez-Cid C, Keuschnig C, Torzewski K, Stachnik Ł, Kępski D, Luks B, Nawrot A, Niedzielski P, Vogel TM, Larose C. Environmental and Anthropogenic Factors Shape the Snow Microbiome and Antibiotic Resistome. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:918622. [PMID: 35783390 PMCID: PMC9245712 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.918622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Winter tourism can generate environmental pollution and affect microbial ecology in mountain ecosystems. This could stimulate the development of antibiotic resistance in snow and its dissemination through the atmosphere and through snow melting. Despite these potential impacts, the effect of winter tourism on the snow antibiotic resistome remains to be elucidated. In this study, snow samples subjected to different levels of anthropogenic activities and surrounding forest were obtained from the Sudety Mountains in Poland to evaluate the impact of winter tourism on snow bacteria using a metagenomic approach. Bacterial community composition was determined by the sequencing of the V3-V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene and the composition of the antibiotic resistome was explored by metagenomic sequencing. Whereas environmental factors were the main drivers of bacterial community and antibiotic resistome composition in snow, winter tourism affected resistome composition in sites with similar environmental conditions. Several antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) showed a higher abundance in sites subjected to human activities. This is the first study to show that anthropogenic activities may influence the antibiotic resistome in alpine snow. Our results highlight the need to survey antibiotic resistance development in anthropogenically polluted sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Concepcion Sanchez-Cid
- Environmental Microbial Genomics, CNRS UMR 5005 Laboratoire Ampère, École Centrale de Lyon, Université de Lyon, Écully, France
- Promega France, Charbonnières-les-Bains, France
- *Correspondence: Concepcion Sanchez-Cid,
| | - Christoph Keuschnig
- Environmental Microbial Genomics, CNRS UMR 5005 Laboratoire Ampère, École Centrale de Lyon, Université de Lyon, Écully, France
| | - Karol Torzewski
- Department of Ecology, Biogeochemistry and Environmental Protection, Institute of Botany, Wrocław University, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Łukasz Stachnik
- Institute of Geography and Regional Development, Faculty of Earth Sciences and Environmental Management, University of Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Daniel Kępski
- Institute of Geophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Bartłomiej Luks
- Institute of Geophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Adam Nawrot
- Institute of Geophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
- forScience Foundation, Toruń, Poland
| | - Przemysław Niedzielski
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poznań, Poland
| | - Timothy M. Vogel
- Environmental Microbial Genomics, CNRS UMR 5005 Laboratoire Ampère, École Centrale de Lyon, Université de Lyon, Écully, France
| | - Catherine Larose
- Environmental Microbial Genomics, CNRS UMR 5005 Laboratoire Ampère, École Centrale de Lyon, Université de Lyon, Écully, France
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7
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Teixeira P, Tacão M, Henriques I. Occurrence and distribution of Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales and carbapenemase genes along a highly polluted hydrographic basin. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 300:118958. [PMID: 35131334 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.118958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
We determined the distribution and temporal variation of Carbapenem Resistant Enterobacterales (CRE), carbapenemase-encoding genes and other antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in a highly polluted river (Lis River; Portugal), also assessing the potential influence of water quality to this distribution. Water samples were collected in two sampling campaigns performed one year apart (2018/2019) from fifteen sites and water quality was analyzed. CRE were isolated and characterized. The abundance of four ARGs (blaNDM, blaKPC, tetA, blaCTX-M), two Microbial Source Tracking (MST) indicators (HF183 and Pig-2-Bac) and the class 1 integrase gene (IntI1) was measured by qPCR. RESULTS: confirmed the poor quality of the Lis River water, particularly in sites near pig farms. A collection of 23 CRE was obtained: Klebsiella (n = 19), Enterobacter (n = 2) and Raoultella (n = 2). PFGE analysis revealed a clonal relationship between isolates obtained in different sampling years and sites. All CRE isolates exhibited multidrug resistance profiles. Klebsiella and Raoultella isolates carried blaKPC while Enterobacter harbored blaNDM. Conjugation experiments were successful for only four Klebsiella isolates. All ARGs were detected by qPCR on both sampling campaigns. An increase in ARGs and IntI1 abundances was detected in sites located downstream of wastewater treatment plants. Strong correlations were observed between blaCTX-M, IntI1 and the human-pollution marker HF183, and also between tetA and the pig-pollution marker Pig-2-bac, suggesting that both human- and animal-derived pollution in the Lis River are a potential source of ARGs. Plus, water quality parameters related to eutrophication and land use were significantly correlated with ARGs abundances. Our findings demonstrated that the Lis River encloses high levels of antibiotic resistant bacteria and ARGs, including CRE and carbapenemase-encoding genes. Overall, this study provides a better understanding on the impacts of water pollution resulting from human and animal activities on the resistome of natural aquatic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Teixeira
- Biology Department and CESAM (Centre for Marine and Environmental Studies), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Marta Tacão
- Biology Department and CESAM (Centre for Marine and Environmental Studies), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Isabel Henriques
- University of Coimbra, Centre for Functional Ecology and Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Coimbra, Portugal
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8
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Flores-Vargas G, Bergsveinson J, Lawrence JR, Korber DR. Environmental Biofilms as Reservoirs for Antimicrobial Resistance. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:766242. [PMID: 34970233 PMCID: PMC8713029 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.766242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Characterizing the response of microbial communities to a range of antibiotic concentrations is one of the strategies used to understand the impact of antibiotic resistance. Many studies have described the occurrence and prevalence of antibiotic resistance in microbial communities from reservoirs such as hospitals, sewage, and farm feedlots, where bacteria are often exposed to high and/or constant concentrations of antibiotics. Outside of these sources, antibiotics generally occur at lower, sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs). The constant exposure to low concentrations of antibiotics may serve as a chemical "cue" that drives development of antibiotic resistance. Low concentrations of antibiotics have not yet been broadly described in reservoirs outside of the aforementioned environments, nor is the transfer and dissemination of antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes within natural microbial communities fully understood. This review will thus focus on low antibiotic-concentration environmental reservoirs and mechanisms that are important in the dissemination of antibiotic resistance to help identify key knowledge gaps concerning the environmental resistome.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - John R Lawrence
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Darren R Korber
- Food and Bioproduct Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
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9
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Subirats J, Murray R, Yin X, Zhang T, Topp E. Impact of chicken litter pre-application treatment on the abundance, field persistence, and transfer of antibiotic resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes to vegetables. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 801:149718. [PMID: 34425441 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Treatment of manures prior to land application can potentially reduce the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes and thus the risk of contaminating crops or water resources. In this study, raw and composted chicken litter were applied to field plots that were cropped to carrots, lettuce and radishes. Vegetables were washed per normal culinary practice before downstream analysis. The impact of composting on manure microbial composition, persistence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in soil following application, and distribution of antibiotic resistance genes and bacteria on washed vegetables were determined. A subset of samples that were thought likely to reveal the most significant effects were chosen for shotgun sequencing. The absolute abundance of all target genes detected by qPCR decreased after composting except sul1, intI1, incW and erm(F) that remained stable. The shotgun sequencing revealed that some integron integrases were enriched by composting. Composting significantly reduced the abundance of enteric bacteria, including those carrying antibiotic resistance. Manure-amended soil showed significantly higher abundances of sul1, str(A), str(B), erm(B), aad(A), intI1 and incW compared to unmanured soil. At harvest, those genes that were detected in soil samples before the application of manure (intI1, sul1, strA and strB) were quantifiable by qPCR on vegetables, with a larger number of gene targets detected on the radishes than in the carrots or lettuce. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing suggested that the increase of antibiotic resistance genes on radishes produced in soil receiving raw manure may be due to changes to soil microbial communities following manure application, rather than transfer to the radishes of enteric bacteria. Overall, under field conditions there was limited evidence for transfer of antibiotic resistance genes from composted or raw manure to vegetables that then persisted through washing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Subirats
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, London Research and Development Centre, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Roger Murray
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, London Research and Development Centre, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Xiaole Yin
- Environmental Biotechnology Lab, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- Environmental Biotechnology Lab, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Edward Topp
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, London Research and Development Centre, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
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10
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Cui L, Li HZ, Yang K, Zhu LJ, Xu F, Zhu YG. Raman biosensor and molecular tools for integrated monitoring of pathogens and antimicrobial resistance in wastewater. Trends Analyt Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2021.116415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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11
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Davis BC, Riquelme MV, Ramirez-Toro G, Bandaragoda C, Garner E, Rhoads WJ, Vikesland P, Pruden A. Demonstrating an Integrated Antibiotic Resistance Gene Surveillance Approach in Puerto Rican Watersheds Post-Hurricane Maria. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:15108-15119. [PMID: 33205660 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c05567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Comprehensive surveillance approaches are needed to assess sources, clinical relevance, and mobility of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in watersheds. Here, we examined metrics derived from shotgun metagenomic sequencing and relationship to human fecal markers (HFMs; crAssphage, enterococci) and anthropogenic antibiotic resistance markers (AARMs; intI1, sul1) in three distinct Puerto Rican watersheds as a function of adjacent land use and wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) input 6 months after Hurricane Maria, a category V storm. Relative abundance and diversity of total ARGs increased markedly downstream of WWTP inputs, with ARGs unique to WWTP and WWTP-impacted river samples predominantly belonging to the aminoglycoside and β-lactam resistance classes. WWTP and other anthropogenic inputs were similarly associated with elevated resistome risk scores and mobility incidence (M%). Contig analysis indicated a wide variety of mobile β-lactam ARGs associated with pathogens downstream of WWTP discharge that were consistent with regional clinical concern, e.g., Klebsiella pneumoniae contigs containing KPC-2 within an ISKpn6-like transposase. HFMs and AARMs correlated strongly with the absolute abundance of total ARGs, but AARMs better predicted the majority of ARGs in general (85.4 versus <2%) and β-lactam ARGs in particular. This study reveals sensitive, quantitative, mobile, clinically relevant, and comprehensive targets for antibiotic resistance surveillance in watersheds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin C Davis
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24060, United States
| | - Maria Virginia Riquelme
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24060, United States
| | - Graciela Ramirez-Toro
- Center for Environmental Education, Conservation and Research, Inter American University, San Germán, Puerto Rico 00683, United States
| | - Christina Bandaragoda
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Emily Garner
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24060, United States
| | - William J Rhoads
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24060, United States
| | - Peter Vikesland
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24060, United States
| | - Amy Pruden
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24060, United States
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12
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Zhang AN, Hou CJ, Negi M, Li LG, Zhang T. Online searching platform for the antibiotic resistome in bacterial tree of life and global habitats. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2020; 96:5849002. [PMID: 32472933 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiaa107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Metagenomic analysis reveals that antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) are widely distributed in both human-associated and non-human-associated habitats. However, it is difficult to equally compare ARGs between samples without a standard method. Here, we constructed a comprehensive profile of the distribution of potential ARGs in bacterial tree of life and global habitats by investigating ARGs in 55 000 bacterial genomes, 16 000 bacterial plasmid sequences, 3000 bacterial integron sequences and 850 metagenomes using a standard pipeline. We found that >80% of all known ARGs are not carried by any plasmid or integron sequences. Among potential mobile ARGs, tetracycline and beta-lactam resistance genes (such as tetA, tetM and class A beta-lactamase gene) distribute in multiple pathogens across bacterial phyla, indicating their clinical relevance and importance. We showed that class 1 integrases (intI1) display a poor linear relationship with total ARGs in both non-human-associated and human-associated environments. Furthermore, both total ARGs and intI1 genes show little correlation with the degree of anthropogenicity. These observations highlight the need to differentiate ARGs of high clinical relevance. This profile is published on an online platform (ARGs-OSP, http://args-osp.herokuapp.com/) as a valuable resource for the most challenging topics in this field, i.e. the risk, evolution and emergence of ARGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- An Ni Zhang
- Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation, The University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China.,Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA
| | - Chen-Ju Hou
- Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Mishty Negi
- Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Li-Guan Li
- Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation, The University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China.,Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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13
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The Household Resistome: Frequency of β-Lactamases, Class 1 Integrons, and Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria in the Domestic Environment and Their Reduction during Automated Dishwashing and Laundering. Appl Environ Microbiol 2020; 86:AEM.02062-20. [PMID: 32978137 PMCID: PMC7657631 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02062-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Households provide a habitat for bacteria originating from humans, animals, foods, contaminated clothes, or other sources. Thus, bacteria carrying antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) may be introduced via household members, animals, or the water supply from external habitats into private households and vice versa. Since data on antibiotic resistance (ABR) in the domestic environment are limited, this study aimed to determine the abundance of β-lactamase, mobile colistin resistance, and class 1 integron genes and the correlation of their presence and to characterize phenotypically resistant strains in 54 private households in Germany. Additionally, the persistence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria during automated dishwashing compared to that during laundering was assessed. Shower drains, washing machines, and dishwashers were sampled and analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR. Resistant strains were isolated, followed by identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing using a Vitek 2 system. The results showed a significantly higher relative ARG abundance of 0.2367 ARG copies/16S rRNA gene copies in shower drains than in dishwashers (0.1329 ARG copies/16S rRNA gene copies) and washing machines (0.0006 ARG copies/16S rRNA gene copies). bla CMY-2, bla ACT/MIR, and bla OXA-48 were the most prevalent ARG, and intI1 occurred in 96.3% of the households, while no mcr genes were detected. Several β-lactamase genes co-occurred, and the resistance of bacterial isolates correlated positively with genotypic resistance, with carbapenemase genes dominating across isolates. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria were significantly reduced during automated dishwashing as well as laundering tests and did not differ from susceptible strains. Overall, the domestic environment may represent a potential reservoir of β-lactamase genes and β-lactam-resistant bacteria, with shower drains being the dominant source of ABR.IMPORTANCE The abundance of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and ARGs is steadily increasing and has been comprehensively analyzed in natural environments, animals, foods, and wastewater treatment plants. In this respect, β-lactams and colistin are of particular interest due to the emergence of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Despite the connection of private households to these environments, only a few studies have focused on the domestic environment so far. Therefore, the present study further investigated the occurrence of ARGs and antibiotic-resistant bacteria in shower drains, washing machines, and dishwashers. The analysis of the domestic environment as a potential reservoir of resistant bacteria is crucial to determine whether households contribute to the spread of ABR or may be a habitat where resistant bacteria from the natural environment, humans, food, or water are selected due to the use of detergents, antimicrobial products, and antibiotics. Furthermore, ABR could limit the options for the treatment of infections arising in the domestic environment.
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14
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Country Income Is Only One of the Tiles: The Global Journey of Antimicrobial Resistance among Humans, Animals, and Environment. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:antibiotics9080473. [PMID: 32752276 PMCID: PMC7460298 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9080473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 07/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most complex global health challenges today: decades of overuse and misuse in human medicine, animal health, agriculture, and dispersion into the environment have produced the dire consequence of infections to become progressively untreatable. Infection control and prevention (IPC) procedures, the reduction of overuse, and the misuse of antimicrobials in human and veterinary medicine are the cornerstones required to prevent the spreading of resistant bacteria. Purified drinking water and strongly improved sanitation even in remote areas would prevent the pollution from inadequate treatment of industrial, residential, and farm waste, as all these situations are expanding the resistome in the environment. The One Health concept addresses the interconnected relationships between human, animal, and environmental health as a whole: several countries and international agencies have now included a One Health Approach within their action plans to address AMR. Improved antimicrobial usage, coupled with regulation and policy, as well as integrated surveillance, infection control and prevention, along with antimicrobial stewardship, sanitation, and animal husbandry should all be integrated parts of any new action plan targeted to tackle AMR on the Earth. Since AMR is found in bacteria from humans, animals, and in the environment, we briefly summarize herein the current concepts of One Health as a global challenge to enable the continued use of antibiotics.
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15
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Subirats J, Di Cesare A, Varela Della Giustina S, Fiorentino A, Eckert EM, Rodriguez-Mozaz S, Borrego CM, Corno G. High-quality treated wastewater causes remarkable changes in natural microbial communities and intI1 gene abundance. WATER RESEARCH 2019; 167:114895. [PMID: 31553931 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2019.114895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
We carry out a mesocosms experiment to assess the impact of high-quality treated wastewater intended for agricultural reuse (HQWR) on freshwater bacteria seldom exposed to anthropogenic pollution. Effects were assessed by comparing the abundance and composition of bacterial communities as well as their resistance profile under control (source water from an unpolluted lake) and treatment conditions (source water mixed 1:1 with HQWR, with and without 5 μg L-1 of cefotaxime). We investigated the effect of the different conditions on the abundance of genes encoding resistance to β-lactams and carbapenems (blaTEM, blaCTX-M, blaOXA, and blaKPC), fluoroquinolones (qnrS), tetracyclines (tetA), sulfonamides (sul2), macrolides (ermB), arsenic and cadmium (arsB and czcA, respectively), and on the gene encoding the Class 1 integron integrase (intI1). Bacterial communities exposed to HQWR showed a significant higher abundance of tetA, arsB, czcA, and intI1 genes, whereas those exposed to Cefotaxime-amended HQWR did not. Genes conferring resistance to carbapenems, β-lactams, fluoroquinolones, and macrolides were below detection limit in all treatments. Besides, the higher availability of nutrients under treatment conditions favored bacterial growth in comparison to those exposed to control conditions. Particularly, Acinetobacter spp. and Pseudomonas spp. were significantly enriched after 22 days of treatment exposure. The presence of cefotaxime (a third generation cephalosporine) in the feeding medium caused an enrichment of bacterial communities in sequences affiliated to Acinetobacter thus suggesting that these resistant forms may possess resistance genes other than those studied here (blaCTX-M, blaOXA, and blaKPC). Although derived from a mesocosm experiment in continuous cultures, our results call attention to the need of refined regulations regarding the use of reclaimed water in agriculture since even high-quality treated wastewater may lead to undesired effects on receiving bacterial communities in terms of composition and dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jèssica Subirats
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, Girona, Spain.
| | - Andrea Di Cesare
- Microbial Ecology Group, Water Research Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IRSA), Verbania, Italy
| | - Saulo Varela Della Giustina
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Antonino Fiorentino
- Microbial Ecology Group, Water Research Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IRSA), Verbania, Italy
| | - Ester M Eckert
- Microbial Ecology Group, Water Research Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IRSA), Verbania, Italy
| | - Sara Rodriguez-Mozaz
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Carles M Borrego
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, Girona, Spain; Group of Molecular Microbial Ecology, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Gianluca Corno
- Microbial Ecology Group, Water Research Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IRSA), Verbania, Italy
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16
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Roberto AA, Van Gray JB, Engohang-Ndong J, Leff LG. Distribution and co-occurrence of antibiotic and metal resistance genes in biofilms of an anthropogenically impacted stream. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 688:437-449. [PMID: 31247485 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.06.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Urban stream biofilms are potential hotspots for resistomes and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Biofilm communities that harbor resistance genes may be influenced by contaminant input (e.g., metals and antibiotics) from urban drainage (i.e., Wastewater Treatment Plant effluent and stormwater runoff); understanding the ecology of these communities and their resistome is needed. Given the potential importance of the co-occurrence of ARGs and metal resistance genes (MRGs), we investigated the spatial and temporal distribution of three ARGs (tetracycline [tetW] and sulfonamides [sulI and sulII]), four MRGs (lead [pbrT], copper [copA], and cadmium/cobalt/zinc [czcA and czcC]) via quantitative PCR and biofilm bacterial community composition via MiSeq 16S sequencing at four time points along an urbanization gradient (i.e., developed, agriculture, and forested sites) in a stream's watershed. Our results revealed that ARG and MRG abundances were significantly affected by land use-time interaction, with greater resistance abundances occurring in more urban locations during particular times of the year. It was also observed that changes in ARG and MRG profiles were influenced by differences in community composition among land use types, and that these differences were in response to changes in stream physicochemical parameters (pH, redox, temperature, nutrient availability, and metal concentration) that were driven by sub-watershed land use. Moreover, the dynamics between ARGs and MRGs within these communities correlated strongly and positively with one another. Taken altogether, our results demonstrate that changes in environmental properties due to human activity may drive the ARG-MRG profiles of biofilm communities by modulating community structure over time and space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alescia A Roberto
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, United States of America.
| | - Jonathon B Van Gray
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, United States of America.
| | - Jean Engohang-Ndong
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University at Tuscarawas, New Philadelphia, OH 44663, United States of America.
| | - Laura G Leff
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, United States of America.
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17
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Bunce JT, Hellyer P. Antibiotic resistance and antibiotic prescribing by dentists in England 2007-2016. Br Dent J 2019; 225:81-84. [PMID: 30002521 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bdj.2018.525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The early prescribers of penicillin realised that antibiotics should be used wisely and as an adjunct to traditional surgical provision. They predicted that inappropriate use would increase sensitisation to the drug. National Health Service dentists prescribed almost 10% of antibiotics issued in NHS general practice in 2016 and an audit shows that many of these may have been prescribed inappropriately. One of the causes of antimicrobial resistance is over prescription of the drugs. This paper recalls the recommendations of some early users of penicillin, reports on the current prescription patterns of dentists in England, describes the mechanism of acquisition of anti-microbial resistance and discusses dentists' role in attempting to reduce the problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- J T Bunce
- School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastleupon-Tyne, NE1 7RU
| | - P Hellyer
- University of Portsmouth Dental Academy, Hampshire Terrace, Portsmouth, PO1 2QG
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18
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Singer AC, Xu Q, Keller VDJ. Translating antibiotic prescribing into antibiotic resistance in the environment: A hazard characterisation case study. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0221568. [PMID: 31483803 PMCID: PMC6726141 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The environment receives antibiotics through a combination of direct application (e.g., aquaculture and fruit production), as well as indirect release through pharmaceutical manufacturing, sewage and animal manure. Antibiotic concentrations in many sewage-impacted rivers are thought to be sufficient to select for antibiotic resistance genes. Yet, because antibiotics are nearly always found associated with antibiotic-resistant faecal bacteria in wastewater, it is difficult to distinguish the selective role of effluent antibiotics within a 'sea' of gut-derived resistance genes. Here we examine the potential for macrolide and fluoroquinolone prescribing in England to select for resistance in the River Thames catchment, England. We show that 64% and 74% of the length of the modelled catchment is chronically exposed to putative resistance-selecting concentrations (PNEC) of macrolides and fluoroquinolones, respectively. Under current macrolide usage, 115 km of the modelled River Thames catchment (8% of total length) exceeds the PNEC by 5-fold. Similarly, under current fluoroquinolone usage, 223 km of the modelled River Thames catchment (16% of total length) exceeds the PNEC by 5-fold. Our results reveal that if reduced prescribing was the sole mitigating measure, that macrolide and fluoroquinolone prescribing would need to decline by 77% and 85%, respectively, to limit resistance selection in the catchment. Significant reductions in antibiotic prescribing are feasible, but innovation in sewage-treatment will be necessary for achieving substantially-reduced antibiotic loads and inactivation of DNA-pollution from resistant bacteria. Greater confidence is needed in current risk-based targets for antibiotics, particularly in mixtures, to better inform environmental risk assessments and mitigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew C. Singer
- NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Benson Lane, Wallingford, United Kingdom
| | - Qiuying Xu
- NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Benson Lane, Wallingford, United Kingdom
- Environmental Diagnosis and Management, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, United Kingdom
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19
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Yao Y, Habimana O. Biofilm research within irrigation water distribution systems: Trends, knowledge gaps, and future perspectives. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 673:254-265. [PMID: 30991317 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.03.464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Biofilms in irrigation water distribution systems (IWDSs) play an essential role in spreading pathogens, chemical pollutants, and environmental pollutants into downstream irrigated crops and thus should be considered a potential threat to food safety. Although the role of biofilms in drinking water distribution systems has been extensively studied in the last decade, the research on IWDS biofilms in this period has been limited. This review identifies research gaps in the field of IWDS biofilms, provides perspectives on experimental designs for investigating IWDS biofilms, and suggests potential strategies worth pursuing in IWDS management. The current state of the art of IWDS biofilms is discussed, and an analysis of the challenges in IWDS biofilm research is presented. Furthermore, this review proposes useful advanced technologies that allow a practical, in-depth fundamental understanding of IWDS biofilms. In a nutshell, this article provides future directions and insights into detailed experimental designs on a relatively under-reported research topic: "IWDS biofilms."
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Yao
- The School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Olivier Habimana
- The School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; The University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation (HKU-SIRI), Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China.
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20
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Lucassen R, Rehberg L, Heyden M, Bockmühl D. Strong correlation of total phenotypic resistance of samples from household environments and the prevalence of class 1 integrons suggests for the use of the relative prevalence of intI1 as a screening tool for multi-resistance. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0218277. [PMID: 31194819 PMCID: PMC6564842 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the biggest challenges of health care systems worldwide is the increasing number of pathogenic bacteria resistant to a growing number of antibiotics. In this respect, class 1 integrons which are part of mobile genetic elements can confer several phenotypes including resistance to a broad range of antibiotic classes, heavy metals and biocides. They are linked to common resistance genes and have penetrated pathogenic and commensal bacteria likewise. Therefore its relative prevalence can be a proxy for antimicrobial resistance and anthropogenic pollution. Household environments are areas with a high influx of bacteria from humans, animals and foods, and biocides and detergents are frequently used. In this study we aimed to investigate the relative prevalence of class 1 integrons in household environments, in relation to the number of antibiotic and benzalkonium chloride resistant phenotypes of a sample point, for the validation of the relative prevalence of class 1 integrons as a screening tool for multi-resistance. Kitchen sink and bathroom sink U-bends, dishwasher, washing machines and toothbrushes of 28 households were probed. Copies /mL of class 1 integron integrase gene and 16SrDNA gene were determined by qPCR and bacteria of the respective sample were isolated on ampicillin selective agar plates, followed by the determination of the species and phenotypic resistance profiles. The relative prevalence of class 1 integrons in relation to 16SrDNA was calculated and correlated to phenotypic resistance. Our findings show a high relative prevalence of class 1 integrons in water reticulation systems of household environments and in particular shower U-bends. Furthermore, prevalence of class 1 integrons correlates strongly (rs = 0.95) with total phenotypic resistance at a sample point and suggest that a standardized assay determining the relative prevalence of class 1 integrons could be used as a useful screening tool in the assessment of multi-resistance in environmental samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Lucassen
- Hochschule Rhein-Waal, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kleve, Germany
| | - L. Rehberg
- Hochschule Rhein-Waal, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kleve, Germany
| | - M. Heyden
- Hochschule Rhein-Waal, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kleve, Germany
| | - D. Bockmühl
- Hochschule Rhein-Waal, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kleve, Germany
- * E-mail:
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21
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Kaeseberg T, Schubert S, Oertel R, Zhang J, Berendonk TU, Krebs P. Hot spots of antibiotic tolerant and resistant bacterial subpopulations in natural freshwater biofilm communities due to inevitable urban drainage system overflows. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 242:164-170. [PMID: 29980034 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.06.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/24/2018] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistant bacteria are a threat to human life. Recently, sewers have been identified as potential reservoirs. The intermittent injection of sewage into adjacent surface waters is inevitable, due to capacity limitations of the urban drainage system. Information regarding the effect to natural freshwater biofilms (NFB) due to the intermittent contaminations are scarce. Therefore, a fundamental screening is necessary. In April, we placed NFB-attachment constructions in a brook upstream and downstream from urban drainage overflow constructions. In meanwhile two sampling campaigns were conducted. The sewage and the brook water were collected to gather information about antibiotic background exposure of ciprofloxacin (CIP), clarithromycin (CLA) and doxycycline (DOX). Six months later we experimentally determined the oxygen uptake rate (OUR) of the NFB-communities after a 24 h lasting exposure with additionally dosed antibiotics. Concentrations of 0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 mg L-1 were selected. CIP, CLA and DOX were individually dosed, and also in mixtures. The mean antibiotic background concentration in sewage was in a range of 575.5-1289.1 ng L-1, which mainly exceeded the concentrations published in literature. The determined mean concentration in the brook was in a range of 4.6-539.0 ng L-1. The first significant inhibition of the OUR with individually dosed antibiotics started mainly at a concentration of 1.0 mg L-1. Antibiotics in a mixture with concentrations of 0.1 and 1.0 mg L-1 were as effective as single dosed antibiotics with a concentration of 10.0 mg L-1. The increased antibiotic tolerance and resistance of NFB-communities downstream of the combined sewer overflow (CSO) structure was a consequence of a severe impact due to urban drainage overflows. Hence, NFB-communities downstream of CSO-constructions are hot spots of antibiotic tolerant and resistant subpopulations and access restrictions should be announced, if an infection risk is present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Kaeseberg
- Institute of Urban Water Management, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Sara Schubert
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany; Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Reinhard Oertel
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Jin Zhang
- Institute of Groundwater and Earth Sciences, Jinan University, 510632 Guangzhou, China.
| | - Thomas U Berendonk
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Peter Krebs
- Institute of Urban Water Management, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
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22
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Subirats J, Timoner X, Sànchez-Melsió A, Balcázar JL, Acuña V, Sabater S, Borrego CM. Emerging contaminants and nutrients synergistically affect the spread of class 1 integron-integrase (intI1) and sul1 genes within stable streambed bacterial communities. WATER RESEARCH 2018; 138:77-85. [PMID: 29573631 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2017] [Revised: 03/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater effluents increase the nutrient load of receiving streams while introducing a myriad of anthropogenic chemical pollutants that challenge the resident aquatic (micro)biota. Disentangling the effects of both kind of stressors and their potential interaction on the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes in bacterial communities requires highly controlled manipulative experiments. In this work, we investigated the effects of a combined regime of nutrients (at low, medium and high concentrations) and a mixture of emerging contaminants (ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, sulfamethoxazole, diclofenac, and methylparaben) on the bacterial composition, abundance and antibiotic resistance profile of biofilms grown in artificial streams. In particular, we investigated the effect of this combined stress on genes encoding resistance to ciprofloxacin (qnrS), erythromycin (ermB), sulfamethoxazole (sul1 and sul2) as well as the class 1 integron-integrase gene (intI1). Only genes conferring resistance to sulfonamides (sul1 and sul2) and intI1 gene were detected in all treatments during the study period. Besides, bacterial communities exposed to emerging contaminants showed higher copy numbers of sul1 and intI1 genes than those not exposed, whereas nutrient amendments did not affect their abundance. However, bacterial communities exposed to both emerging contaminants and a high nutrient concentration (1, 25 and 1 mg L-1 of phosphate, nitrate and ammonium, respectively) showed the highest increase on the abundance of sul1 and intI1 genes thus suggesting a factors synergistic effect of both stressors. Since none of the treatments caused a significant change on the composition of bacterial communities, the enrichment of sul1 and intI1 genes within the community was caused by their dissemination under the combined pressure exerted by nutrients and emerging contaminants. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating the contribution of nutrients on the maintenance and spread of antibiotic resistance genes in streambed biofilms under controlled conditions. Our results also highlight that nutrients could enhance the effect of emerging contaminants on the dissemination of antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jèssica Subirats
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, Girona, Spain.
| | - Xisca Timoner
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Alexandre Sànchez-Melsió
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - José Luis Balcázar
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Vicenç Acuña
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Sergi Sabater
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, Girona, Spain; GRECO, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Carles M Borrego
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, Girona, Spain; Group of Molecular Microbial Ecology, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
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23
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Zhu YG, Gillings M, Simonet P, Stekel D, Banwart S, Penuelas J. Human dissemination of genes and microorganisms in Earth's Critical Zone. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2018; 24:1488-1499. [PMID: 29266645 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Earth's Critical Zone sustains terrestrial life and consists of the thin planetary surface layer between unaltered rock and the atmospheric boundary. Within this zone, flows of energy and materials are mediated by physical processes and by the actions of diverse organisms. Human activities significantly influence these physical and biological processes, affecting the atmosphere, shallow lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. The role of organisms includes an additional class of biogeochemical cycling, this being the flow and transformation of genetic information. This is particularly the case for the microorganisms that govern carbon and nitrogen cycling. These biological processes are mediated by the expression of functional genes and their translation into enzymes that catalyze geochemical reactions. Understanding human effects on microbial activity, fitness and distribution is an important component of Critical Zone science, but is highly challenging to investigate across the enormous physical scales of impact ranging from individual organisms to the planet. One arena where this might be tractable is by studying the dynamics and dissemination of genes for antibiotic resistance and the organisms that carry such genes. Here we explore the transport and transformation of microbial genes and cells through Earth's Critical Zone. We do so by examining the origins and rise of antibiotic resistance genes, their subsequent dissemination, and the ongoing colonization of diverse ecosystems by resistant organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Guan Zhu
- Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, China
- State Key Lab of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Michael Gillings
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Pascal Simonet
- Environmental Microbial Genomics Group, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Dov Stekel
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Steven Banwart
- Department of Geography, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Josep Penuelas
- CSIC, Global Ecology Unit, CREAF- CSIC-UAB, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
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24
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Eckert EM, Di Cesare A, Kettner MT, Arias-Andres M, Fontaneto D, Grossart HP, Corno G. Microplastics increase impact of treated wastewater on freshwater microbial community. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 234:495-502. [PMID: 29216487 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.11.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2017] [Revised: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution is a major global concern with several million microplastic particles entering every day freshwater ecosystems via wastewater discharge. Microplastic particles stimulate biofilm formation (plastisphere) throughout the water column and have the potential to affect microbial community structure if they accumulate in pelagic waters, especially enhancing the proliferation of biohazardous bacteria. To test this scenario, we simulated the inflow of treated wastewater into a temperate lake using a continuous culture system with a gradient of concentration of microplastic particles. We followed the effect of microplastics on the microbial community structure and on the occurrence of integrase 1 (int1), a marker associated with mobile genetic elements known as a proxy for anthropogenic effects on the spread of antimicrobial resistance genes. The abundance of int1 increased in the plastisphere with increasing microplastic particle concentration, but not in the water surrounding the microplastic particles. Likewise, the microbial community on microplastic was more similar to the original wastewater community with increasing microplastic concentrations. Our results show that microplastic particles indeed promote persistence of typical indicators of microbial anthropogenic pollution in natural waters, and substantiate that their removal from treated wastewater should be prioritised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ester M Eckert
- Microbial Ecology Group (MEG), National Research Council - Institute of Ecosystem Study (CNR-ISE), Largo Tonolli, 50, 28922 Verbania, Italy.
| | - Andrea Di Cesare
- Microbial Ecology Group (MEG), National Research Council - Institute of Ecosystem Study (CNR-ISE), Largo Tonolli, 50, 28922 Verbania, Italy; Department of Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genoa, Corso Europa 26, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Marie Therese Kettner
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Dept. Experimental Limnology, Alte Fischerhuette 2, D-16775 Stechlin, Germany; Potsdam University, Inst. of Biochemistry and Biology, Maulbeerallee 2, D-14469 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Maria Arias-Andres
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Dept. Experimental Limnology, Alte Fischerhuette 2, D-16775 Stechlin, Germany; Potsdam University, Inst. of Biochemistry and Biology, Maulbeerallee 2, D-14469 Potsdam, Germany; Central American Institute for Studies on Toxic Substances (IRET), Universidad Nacional, Campus Omar Dengo, P.O. Box 86-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Diego Fontaneto
- Microbial Ecology Group (MEG), National Research Council - Institute of Ecosystem Study (CNR-ISE), Largo Tonolli, 50, 28922 Verbania, Italy
| | - Hans-Peter Grossart
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Dept. Experimental Limnology, Alte Fischerhuette 2, D-16775 Stechlin, Germany; Potsdam University, Inst. of Biochemistry and Biology, Maulbeerallee 2, D-14469 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Gianluca Corno
- Microbial Ecology Group (MEG), National Research Council - Institute of Ecosystem Study (CNR-ISE), Largo Tonolli, 50, 28922 Verbania, Italy
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25
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Gillings MR. Class 1 integrons as invasive species. Curr Opin Microbiol 2017; 38:10-15. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2017.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Revised: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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