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Gattinger D, Schlenz V, Weil T, Sattler B. From remote to urbanized: Dispersal of antibiotic-resistant bacteria under the aspect of anthropogenic influence. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 924:171532. [PMID: 38458439 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is a growing global concern, but our understanding of the spread of resistant bacteria in remote regions remains limited. While some level of intrinsic resistance likely contributes to reduced susceptibility to antimicrobials in the environment, it is evident that human actions, particularly the (mis)use of antibiotics, play a significant role in shaping the environmental resistome, even in seemingly distant habitats like glacier ice sheets. Our research aims to bridge this knowledge gap by investigating the direct influence of human activities on the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in various habitats. To achieve a comprehensive assessment of anthropogenic impact across diverse and seemingly isolated sampling sites, we developed an innovative approach utilizing Corine Land Cover data and heatmaps generated from sports activity trackers. This method allowed us to make meaningful comparisons across relatively pristine environments. Our findings indicate a noteworthy increase in culturable antibiotic-resistant bacteria with heightened human influence, as evidenced by our analysis of glacier, snow, and lake water samples. Notably, the most significant concentrations of antibiotic-resistant and multidrug-resistant microorganisms were discovered in two highly impacted sampling locations, namely the Tux Glacier and Gas Station Ellmau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Gattinger
- Institute of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Valentin Schlenz
- Institute of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Tobias Weil
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, All'adige, Italy
| | - Birgit Sattler
- Institute of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria; Austrian Polar Research Institute, Vienna, Austria
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2
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Gieroń M, Żarnowiec P, Zegadło K, Gmiter D, Czerwonka G, Kaca W, Kręcisz B. Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification of DNA (LAMP) as an Alternative Method for Determining Bacteria in Wound Infections. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:411. [PMID: 38203582 PMCID: PMC10778741 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010411] [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: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The increasing number of patients with chronic wounds requires the development of quick and accurate diagnostics methods. One of the key and challenging aspects of treating ulcers is to control wound infection. Early detection of infection is essential for the application of suitable treatment methods, such as systemic antibiotics or other antimicrobial agents. Clinically, the most frequently used method for detecting microorganisms in wounds is through a swab and culture on appropriate media. This test has major limitations, such as the long bacterial growth time and the selectivity of bacterial growth. This article presents an overview of molecular methods for detecting bacteria in wounds, including real-time polymerase chain reaction (rtPCR), quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), genotyping, next-generation sequencing (NGS), and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). We focus on the LAMP method, which has not yet been widely used to detect bacteria in wounds, but it is an interesting alternative to conventional detection methods. LAMP does not require additional complicated equipment and provides the fastest detection time for microorganisms (approx. 30 min reaction). It also allows the use of many pairs of primers in one reaction and determination of up to 15 organisms in one sample. Isothermal amplification of DNA is currently the easiest and most economical method for microbial detection in wound infection. Direct visualization of the reaction with dyes, along with omitting DNA isolation, has increased the potential use of this method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Gieroń
- Faculty of Medicine, Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, 25-369 Kielce, Poland; (M.G.); (B.K.)
- Dermatology Department, Provincial General Hospital, 25-317 Kielce, Poland
| | - Paulina Żarnowiec
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biology, Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, 25-406 Kielce, Poland; (P.Ż.); (K.Z.); (D.G.); (W.K.)
| | - Katarzyna Zegadło
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biology, Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, 25-406 Kielce, Poland; (P.Ż.); (K.Z.); (D.G.); (W.K.)
| | - Dawid Gmiter
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biology, Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, 25-406 Kielce, Poland; (P.Ż.); (K.Z.); (D.G.); (W.K.)
| | - Grzegorz Czerwonka
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biology, Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, 25-406 Kielce, Poland; (P.Ż.); (K.Z.); (D.G.); (W.K.)
| | - Wiesław Kaca
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biology, Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, 25-406 Kielce, Poland; (P.Ż.); (K.Z.); (D.G.); (W.K.)
| | - Beata Kręcisz
- Faculty of Medicine, Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, 25-369 Kielce, Poland; (M.G.); (B.K.)
- Dermatology Department, Provincial General Hospital, 25-317 Kielce, Poland
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Sajjad W, Ali B, Niu H, Ilahi N, Rafiq M, Bahadur A, Banerjee A, Kang S. High prevalence of antibiotic-resistant and metal-tolerant cultivable bacteria in remote glacier environment. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 239:117444. [PMID: 37858689 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Studies of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) have mainly originated from anthropic-influenced environments, with limited information from pristine environments. Remote cold environments are major reservoirs of ARB and have been determined in polar regions; however, their abundance in non-polar cold habitats is underexplored. This study evaluated antibiotics and metals resistance profiles, prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and metals tolerance genes (MTGs) in 38 ARB isolated from the glacier debris and meltwater from Baishui Glacier No 1, China. Molecular identification displayed Proteobacteria (39.3%) predominant in debris, while meltwater was dominated by Actinobacteria (30%) and Proteobacteria (30%). Bacterial isolates exhibited multiple antibiotic resistance index values > 0.2. Gram-negative bacteria displayed higher resistance to antibiotics and metals than Gram-positive. PCR amplification exhibited distinct ARGs in bacteria dominated by β-lactam genes blaCTX-M (21.1-71.1%), blaACC (21.1-60.5%), tetracycline-resistant gene tetA (21.1-60.5%), and sulfonamide-resistant gene sulI (18.4-52.6%). Moreover, different MTGs were reported in bacterial isolates, including mercury-resistant merA (21.1-63.2%), copper-resistant copB (18.4-57.9%), chromium-resistant chrA (15.8-44.7%) and arsenic-resistant arsB (10.5-44.7%). This highlights the co-selection and co-occurrence of MTGs and ARGs in remote glacier environments. Different bacteria shared same ARGs, signifying horizontal gene transfer between species. Strong positive correlation among ARGs and MTGs was reported. Metals tolerance range exhibited that Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria clustered distinctly. Gram-negative bacteria were significantly tolerant to metals. Amino acid sequences of blaACC,blaCTX-M,blaSHV,blaampC,qnrA, sulI, tetA and blaTEM revealed variations. This study presents promising ARB, harboring ARGs with variations in amino acid sequences, highlighting the need to assess the transcriptome study of glacier bacteria conferring ARGs and MTGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wasim Sajjad
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Barkat Ali
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Hewen Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China; National Field Science Observation and Research Station of Yulong Snow Mountain Cryosphere and Sustainable Development, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Nikhat Ilahi
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Muhammad Rafiq
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Informatics, Engineering and Management Sciences, Balochistan University of Information Technology, Quetta, Pakistan
| | - Ali Bahadur
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Abhishek Banerjee
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Shichang Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
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Gattinger D, Pichler K, Weil T, Sattler B. A comparative approach to confirm antibiotic-resistant microbes in the cryosphere. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1212378. [PMID: 37601352 PMCID: PMC10435281 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1212378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic-resistant microbes pose one of the biggest challenges of the current century. While areas with proximity to human impact are closely studied, a lot is yet to learn about antimicrobial resistance in remote regions like the cryosphere. Nowadays, antibiotic (AB) resistance is considered a pollution that has reached the Earth's most pristine areas. However, monitoring of resistant environmental bacteria therein faces several challenges that inhibit scientific progress in this field. Due to many cultivation-based antibiotic susceptibility tests being optimized for mesophilic pathogenic microorganisms, many researchers opt for expensive molecular biological approaches to detect antibiotic resistance in the cryosphere. However, some disadvantages of these methods prohibit effective comprehensive monitoring of resistant bacteria in pristine areas, hence we suggest established cultivation-based approaches when looking for antimicrobial resistance in the cryosphere. In this study, we compared two common antibiotic susceptibility tests and optimized them to meet the needs of psychrophilic microorganisms. The resulting cultures thereof originated from cryospheric habitats with differing anthropogenic impacts. The results show that these methods are applicable to detect antibiotic resistance in cryospheric habitats and could potentially increase the comparability between studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Gattinger
- Institute of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Katrin Pichler
- Institute of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Tobias Weil
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, All'adige, Italy
| | - Birgit Sattler
- Institute of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Austrian Polar Research Institute, Vienna, Austria
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Nawaz S, Rafiq M, Pepper IL, Betancourt WQ, Shah AA, Hasan F. Prevalence and abundance of antibiotic-resistant genes in culturable bacteria inhabiting a non-polar passu glacier, karakorum mountains range, Pakistan. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 39:94. [PMID: 36754876 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-023-03532-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Natural pristine environments including cold habitats are thought to be the potent reservoirs of antibiotic-resistant genes and have been recurrently reported in polar glaciers' native bacteria, nevertheless, their abundance among the non-polar glaciers' inhabitant bacteria is mostly uncharted. Herein we evaluated antibiotic resistance profile, abundance of antibiotic-resistant genes plus class 1, 2, and 3 integron integrases in 65 culturable bacterial isolates retrieved from a non-polar glacier. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis identified predominantly Gram-negative 43 (66.15%) and Gram-positive 22 (33.84%) isolates. Among the Gram-negative bacteria, Gammaproteobacteria were dominant (62.79%), followed by Betaproteobacteria (18.60%) and Alphaproteobacteria (9.30%), whereas Phyla Actinobacteria (50%) and Firmicutes (40.90%) were predominant among Gram-positive. The Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method evaluated significant antibiotic resistance among the isolates. PCR amplification revealed phylum Proteobacteria predominantly carrying 21 disparate antibiotic-resistant genes like; blaAmpC 6 (100%), blaVIM-1, blaSHV and blaDHA 5 (100%) each, blaOXA-1 1 (100%), blaCMY-4 4 (100%), followed by Actinobacteria 14, Firmicutes 13 and Bacteroidetes 11. Tested isolates were negative for blaKPC, qnrA, vanA, ermA, ermB, intl2, and intl3. Predominant Gram-negative isolates had higher MAR index values, compared to Gram-positive. Alignment of protein homology sequences of antibiotic-resistant genes with references revealed amino acid variations in blaNDM-1, blaOXA-1, blaSHV, mecA, aac(6)-Ib3, tetA, tetB, sul2, qnrB, gyrA, and intI1. Promising antibiotic-resistant bacteria, harbored with numerous antibiotic-resistant genes and class 1 integron integrase with some amino acid variations detected, accentuating the mandatory focus to evaluate the intricate transcriptome analysis of glaciated bacteria conferring antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabir Nawaz
- Department of Microbiology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Rafiq
- Department of Microbiology, Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences, Quetta, Pakistan.
| | - Ian L Pepper
- Water & Energy Sustainable Technology (WEST) Center, University of Arizona, 2959 W. Calle Agua Nueva, 85745, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Walter Q Betancourt
- Water & Energy Sustainable Technology (WEST) Center, University of Arizona, 2959 W. Calle Agua Nueva, 85745, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Aamer Ali Shah
- Department of Microbiology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Fariha Hasan
- Department of Microbiology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
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Hwengwere K, Paramel Nair H, Hughes KA, Peck LS, Clark MS, Walker CA. Antimicrobial resistance in Antarctica: is it still a pristine environment? MICROBIOME 2022; 10:71. [PMID: 35524279 PMCID: PMC9072757 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-022-01250-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Although the rapid spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), particularly in relation to clinical settings, is causing concern in many regions of the globe, remote, extreme environments, such as Antarctica, are thought to be relatively free from the negative impact of human activities. In fact, Antarctica is often perceived as the last pristine continent on Earth. Such remote regions, which are assumed to have very low levels of AMR due to limited human activity, represent potential model environments to understand the mechanisms and interactions underpinning the early stages of evolution, de novo development, acquisition and transmission of AMR. Antarctica, with its defined zones of human colonisation (centred around scientific research stations) and large populations of migratory birds and animals, also has great potential with regard to mapping and understanding the spread of early-stage zoonotic interactions. However, to date, studies of AMR in Antarctica are limited. Here, we survey the current literature focussing on the following: i) Dissection of human-introduced AMR versus naturally occurring AMR, based on the premise that multiple drug resistance and resistance to synthetic antibiotics not yet found in nature are the results of human contamination ii) The potential role of endemic wildlife in AMR spread There is clear evidence for greater concentrations of AMR around research stations, and although data show reverse zoonosis of the characteristic human gut bacteria to endemic wildlife, AMR within birds and seals appears to be very low, albeit on limited samplings. Furthermore, areas where there is little, to no, human activity still appear to be free from anthropogenically introduced AMR. However, a comprehensive assessment of AMR levels in Antarctica is virtually impossible on current data due to the wide variation in reporting standards and methodologies used and poor geographical coverage. Thus, future studies should engage directly with policymakers to promote the implementation of continent-wide AMR reporting standards. The development of such standards alongside a centralised reporting system would provide baseline data to feedback directly into wastewater treatment policies for the Antarctic Treaty Area to help preserve this relatively pristine environment. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. Hwengwere
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Anglia Ruskin University, East Road, Cambridge, CB1 1PT UK
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA UK
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET UK
| | - H. Paramel Nair
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Anglia Ruskin University, East Road, Cambridge, CB1 1PT UK
| | - K. A. Hughes
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET UK
| | - L. S. Peck
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET UK
| | - M. S. Clark
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET UK
| | - C. A. Walker
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Anglia Ruskin University, East Road, Cambridge, CB1 1PT UK
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Mbehang Nguema PP, Onanga R, Ndong Atome GR, Tewa JJ, Mabika Mabika A, Muandze Nzambe JU, Obague Mbeang JC, Bitome Essono PY, Bretagnolle F, Godreuil S. High level of intrinsic phenotypic antimicrobial resistance in enterobacteria from terrestrial wildlife in Gabonese national parks. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0257994. [PMID: 34637441 PMCID: PMC8509864 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Data on the prevalence of antibiotic resistance in Enterobacteriaceae in African wildlife are still relatively limited. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of phenotypic intrinsic and acquired antimicrobial resistance of enterobacteria from several species of terrestrial wild mammals in national parks of Gabon. Colony culture and isolation were done using MacConkey agar. Isolates were identified using the VITEK 2 and MALDI-TOF methods. Antibiotic susceptibility was analysed and interpreted according to the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing guidelines. The preliminary test for ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae was performed by replicating enterobacterial colonies on MacConkey agar supplemented with 2 mg/L cefotaxime (MCA+CTX). Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production was confirmed with the double-disc synergy test (DDST). The inhibition zone diameters were read with SirScan. Among the 130 bacterial colonies isolated from 125 fecal samples, 90 enterobacterial isolates were identified. Escherichia coli (61%) was the most prevalent, followed by Enterobacter cloacae (8%), Proteus mirabilis (8%), Klebsiella variicola (7%), Klebsiella aerogenes (7%), Klebsiella oxytoca (4%), Citrobacter freundii (3%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (1%) and Serratia marcescens (1%). Acquired resistance was carried by E. coli (11% of all E. coli isolates) and E. cloacae (3% of all E. cloacae) isolates, while intrinsic resistance was detected in all the other resistant isolates (n = 31); K. variicola, K. oxytoca, K. pneumoniae, E. cloacae, K. aerogenes, S. marcescens and P. mirabilis). Our data show that most strains isolated in protected areas in Gabon are wild type isolates and carry intrinsic resistance rather than acquired resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Philippe Mbehang Nguema
- Departement Ecologie Animal, Institut de Recherche en Ecologie Tropicale (IRET), Libreville, Gabon
- Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville, Gabon
- UMR CNRS/uB 6282 Biogéosciences, Université de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Dijon, France
| | - Richard Onanga
- Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville, Gabon
| | - Guy Roger Ndong Atome
- Department de Chemie, Faculté des Sciences, Université des Sciences et Techniques de Masuku (USTM), Franceville, Gabon
| | - Jean Jules Tewa
- Departement de Mathematiques et Informatique, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Douala, Douala, Cameroun
| | - Arsène Mabika Mabika
- Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville, Gabon
| | | | | | | | - François Bretagnolle
- UMR CNRS/uB 6282 Biogéosciences, Université de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Dijon, France
| | - Sylvain Godreuil
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montpellier, Laboratoire de Bactériologie, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
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Yarzábal LA, Salazar LMB, Batista-García RA. Climate change, melting cryosphere and frozen pathogens: Should we worry…? ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY (SINGAPORE) 2021; 4:489-501. [PMID: 38624658 PMCID: PMC8164958 DOI: 10.1007/s42398-021-00184-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Permanently frozen environments (glaciers, permafrost) are considered as natural reservoirs of huge amounts of microorganisms, mostly dormant, including human pathogens. Due to global warming, which increases the rate of ice-melting, approximately 4 × 1021 of these microorganisms are released annually from their frozen confinement and enter natural ecosystems, in close proximity to human settlements. Some years ago, the hypothesis was put forward that this massive release of potentially-pathogenic microbes-many of which disappeared from the face of the Earth thousands and even millions of years ago-could give rise to epidemics. The recent anthrax outbreaks that occurred in Siberia, and the presence of bacterial and viral pathogens in glaciers worldwide, seem to confirm this hypothesis. In that context, the present review summarizes the currently available scientific evidence that allows us to imagine a near future in which epidemic outbreaks, similar to the abovementioned, could occur as a consequence of the resurrection and release of microbes from glaciers and permafrost. Supplementary Information The online version of this article (10.1007/s42398-021-00184-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Andrés Yarzábal
- Unidad de Salud y Bienestar, Universidad Católica de Cuenca, Av. Las Américas and Calle Humboldt, Cuenca, Ecuador
- Centro de Investigación, Innovación y Transferencia de Tecnología (CIITT), Universidad Católica de Cuenca, Campus Miracielos, Ricaurte, Ecuador
| | - Lenys M. Buela Salazar
- Unidad de Salud y Bienestar, Universidad Católica de Cuenca, Av. Las Américas and Calle Humboldt, Cuenca, Ecuador
| | - Ramón Alberto Batista-García
- Centro de Investigación en Dinámica Celular, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Morelos Mexico
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Sajjad W, Rafiq M, Din G, Hasan F, Iqbal A, Zada S, Ali B, Hayat M, Irfan M, Kang S. Resurrection of inactive microbes and resistome present in the natural frozen world: Reality or myth? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 735:139275. [PMID: 32480145 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The present world faces a new threat of ancient microbes and resistomes that are locked in the cryosphere and now releasing upon thawing due to climate change and anthropogenic activities. The cryosphere act as the best preserving place for these microbes and resistomes that stay alive for millions of years. Current reviews extensively discussed whether the resurrection of microbes and resistomes existing in these pristine environments is true or just a hype. Release of these ancient microorganisms and naked DNA is of great concern for society as these microbes can either cause infections directly or they can interact with contemporary microorganisms and affect their fitness, survival, and mutation rate. Moreover, the contemporary microorganisms may uptake the unlocked naked DNA, which might transform non-pathogenic microorganisms into deadly antibiotic-resistant microbes. Additionally, the resurrection of glacial microorganisms can cause adverse effects on ecosystems downstream. The release of glacial pathogens and naked DNA is real and can lead to fatal outbreaks; therefore, we must prepare ourselves for the possible reemergence of diseases caused by these microbes. This study provides a scientific base for the adoption of actions by international cooperation to develop preventive measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wasim Sajjad
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Muhammad Rafiq
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Informatics, Balochistan University of IT, Engineering and Management Sciences, Quetta, Pakistan
| | - Ghufranud Din
- Department of Microbiology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
| | - Fariha Hasan
- Department of Microbiology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
| | - Awais Iqbal
- School of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Sahib Zada
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Shantou University, Shantou, China
| | - Barkat Ali
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Muhammad Hayat
- Institute of Microbial Technology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao Campus, China
| | - Muhammad Irfan
- College of Dentistry, Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. USA
| | - Shichang Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Beijing, China.
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Makowska N, Zawierucha K, Nadobna P, Piątek-Bajan K, Krajewska A, Szwedyk J, Iwasieczko P, Mokracka J, Koczura R. Occurrence of integrons and antibiotic resistance genes in cryoconite and ice of Svalbard, Greenland, and the Caucasus glaciers. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 716:137022. [PMID: 32059297 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of integrons and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) is a serious threat for public health in the new millennium. Although commonly detected in sites affected by strong anthropogenic pressure, in remote areas their occurrence, dissemination, and transfer to other ecosystems is poorly recognized. Remote sites are considered as a benchmark for human-induced contamination on Earth. For years glaciers were considered pristine, now they are regarded as reservoirs of contaminants, thus studies on contamination of glaciers, which may be released to other ecosystems, are highly needed. Therefore, in this study we evaluated the occurrence and frequency of clinically relevant ARGs and resistance integrons in the genomes of culturable bacteria and class 1 integron-integrase gene copy number in the metagenome of cryoconite, ice and supraglacial gravel collected on two Arctic (South-West Greenland and Svalbard) and two High Mountain (the Caucasus) glaciers. Altogether, 36 strains with intI1 integron-integrase gene were isolated. Presence of class 1 integron-integrase gene was also recorded in metagenomic DNA from all sampling localities. The mean values of relative abundance of intI1 gene varied among samples and ranged from 0.7% in cryoconite from Adishi Glacier (the Caucasus) to 16.3% in cryoconite from Greenland. Moreover, antibiotic-resistant strains were isolated from all regions. Genes conferring resistance to β-lactams (blaSHV, blaTEM, blaOXA, blaCMY), fluoroquinolones (qepA, qnrC), and chloramphenicol (cat, cmr) were detected in the genomes of bacterial isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoletta Makowska
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Zawierucha
- Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poland
| | - Paulina Nadobna
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poland
| | - Kinga Piątek-Bajan
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poland
| | - Anna Krajewska
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poland
| | - Jagoda Szwedyk
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poland
| | - Patryk Iwasieczko
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poland
| | - Joanna Mokracka
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poland
| | - Ryszard Koczura
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poland.
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11
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Tan L, Li L, Ashbolt N, Wang X, Cui Y, Zhu X, Xu Y, Yang Y, Mao D, Luo Y. Arctic antibiotic resistance gene contamination, a result of anthropogenic activities and natural origin. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 621:1176-1184. [PMID: 29070451 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.10.110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Revised: 10/10/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The increasing global prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment is attributed to anthropogenic activities, particularly the misuse of antimicrobial drugs in human care and animal production. In the present study, we first examined Arctic/sub-Arctic (polar) sediments for the abundance and diversity of 30 ARGs against sulfonamide, tetracycline, aminoglycoside, quinolone, macrolide, and β-lactam antibiotics. Polar sediment ARGs were detected by qPCR at relatively low levels (10-9 to 10-5 copies/16S rRNA gene copies) compared to the reference sites, which were heavily impacted regions of China (the Haihe River, the Tianjin Water Park water and the Qilihai Wetland water, at 10-8 to 10-2 copies/16S rRNA gene copies). A human mitochondrial gene target, Hmt, was first used to aid in the identification of ARGs associated with anthropogenic activities, being relatively persistent, in high copy number and a human-specific molecular marker. Hmt was consistently present in easily quantifiable amounts in the polar sediment samples, indicating their relationship with human-impact, and it was also positively correlated with the relative abundance of ARGs and to the concentrations of modern-day antibiotics. Phylogenetic analyses of resistance sequences from both the Arctic marine sediments and a major database of human pathogens indicated that the ARGs in polar region were the result of a mix of human influence and natural origins. To our knowledge, this is the first study to show that ARGs in Arctic marine sediments appear to be a mixture of both natural origins and recent human influence. This study provides a significant reference regarding the global reach of antibiotic resistance, which is associated with anthropogenic activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Tan
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Linyun Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Nicholas Ashbolt
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, China; School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Xiaolong Wang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuxiao Cui
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiao Zhu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Daqing Mao
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
| | - Yi Luo
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
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12
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Fonseca EL, Andrade BGN, Vicente ACP. The Resistome of Low-Impacted Marine Environments Is Composed by Distant Metallo-β-Lactamases Homologs. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:677. [PMID: 29675014 PMCID: PMC5895761 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The worldwide dispersion and sudden emergence of new antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) determined the need in uncovering which environment participate most as their source and reservoir. ARGs closely related to those currently found in human pathogens occur in the resistome of anthropogenic impacted environments. However, the role of pristine environment as the origin and source of ARGs remains underexplored and controversy, particularly, the marine environments represented by the oceans. Here, due to the ocean nature, we hypothesized that the resistome of this pristine/low-impacted marine environment is represented by distant ARG homologs. To test this hypothesis we performed an in silico analysis on the Global Ocean Sampling (GOS) metagenomic project dataset focusing on the metallo-β-lactamases (MβLs) as the ARG model. MβLs have been a challenge to public health, since they hydrolyze the carbapenems, one of the last therapeutic choice in clinics. Using Hidden Markov Model (HMM) profiles, we were successful in identifying a high diversity of distant MβL homologs, related to the B1, B2, and B3 subclasses. The majority of them were distributed across the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans being related to the chromosomally encoded MβL GOB present in Elizabethkingia genus. It was observed only a reduced number of metagenomic sequence homologs related to the acquired MβL enzymes (VIM, SPM-1, and AIM-1) that currently have impact in clinics. Therefore, low antibiotic impacted marine environment, as the ocean, are unlikely the source of ARGs that have been causing enormous threat to the public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica L Fonseca
- Laboratório de Genética Molecular de Microrganismos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Bruno G N Andrade
- Laboratório de Genética Molecular de Microrganismos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana C P Vicente
- Laboratório de Genética Molecular de Microrganismos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Zhang S, Yang G, Hou S, Zhang T, Li Z, Liang F. Distribution of ARGs and MGEs among glacial soil, permafrost, and sediment using metagenomic analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 234:339-346. [PMID: 29195175 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.11.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Revised: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) can be identified with metagenomic analyses comparing relatively pristine and human-impacted environments. We collected samples from 3 different environments: glacial soil little affected by anthropogenic activity, deep permafrost dated to 5821 BP (before human antibiotics), and sediment from the Pearl River. Sulfonamides, tetracyclines, and fluoroquinolones were common in the sediment samples. Sulfonamides and tetracycline were not found in permafrost; tetracycline was also not found in glacial soil. ARGs from the sediment were more abundant and diverse than those from glacial soil and permafrost. More types of resistance mechanisms were also present in the sediment. The diversity of MGEs was significantly correlated with the abundance and diversity of ARGs. The result will help future workers to better understand the distribution of ARGs among environments more or less impacted by anthropogenic activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuhong Zhang
- College of Food and Science, Shangqiu Normal University, Shangqiu 476000, China.
| | - Guangli Yang
- College of Food and Science, Shangqiu Normal University, Shangqiu 476000, China
| | - Shugui Hou
- Department of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Tingjun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Western China's Environmental Systems (DOE), College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Zhiguo Li
- College of Environment & Planning, Shangqiu Normal University, Shangqiu 476000, China
| | - Feng Liang
- Biorefinery Engineering Lab of Henan Province, Shangqiu 476000, China
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14
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Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is a global public health issue of growing proportions. All antibiotics are susceptible to resistance. The evidence is now clear that the environment is the single largest source and reservoir of resistance. Soil, aquatic, atmospheric, animal-associated, and built ecosystems are home to microbes that harbor antibiotic resistance elements and the means to mobilize them. The diversity and abundance of resistance in the environment is consistent with the ancient origins of antibiotics and a variety of studies support a long natural history of associated resistance. The implications are clear: Understanding the evolution of resistance in the environment, its diversity, and mechanisms is essential to the management of our existing and future antibiotic resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D Surette
- M.G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research and.,Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8N 4K1;
| | - Gerard D Wright
- M.G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research and.,Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8N 4K1;
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15
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Mbehang Nguema PP, Tsuchida S, Ushida K. Bacteria culturing and isolation under field conditions of Moukalaba-Doudou National Park, Gabon, and preliminary survey on bacteria carrying antibiotic resistance genes. TROPICS 2015. [DOI: 10.3759/tropics.23.165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sayaka Tsuchida
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Kyoto Prefectural University
| | - Kazunari Ushida
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Kyoto Prefectural University
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16
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Simultaneous quantification of multiple food- and waterborne pathogens by use of microfluidic quantitative PCR. Appl Environ Microbiol 2013; 79:2891-8. [PMID: 23435884 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00205-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The direct quantification of multiple pathogens has been desired for diagnostic and public health purposes for a long time. In this study, we applied microfluidic quantitative PCR (qPCR) technology to the simultaneous detection and quantification of multiple food- and waterborne pathogens. In this system, multiple singleplex qPCR assays were run under identical detection conditions in nanoliter-volume chambers that are present in high densities on a chip. First, we developed 18 TaqMan qPCR assays that could be run in the same PCR conditions by using prevalidated TaqMan probes. Specific and sensitive quantification was achieved by using these qPCR assays. With the addition of two previously validated TaqMan qPCR assays, we used 20 qPCR assays targeting 10 enteric pathogens, a fecal indicator bacterium (general Escherichia coli), and a process control strain in the microfluidic qPCR system. We preamplified the template DNA to increase the sensitivity of the qPCR assays. Our results suggested that preamplification was effective for quantifying small amounts of the template DNA without any major impact on the sensitivity, efficiency, and quantitative performance of qPCR. This microfluidic qPCR system allowed us to detect and quantify multiple pathogens from fecal samples and environmental water samples spiked with pathogens at levels as low as 100 cells/liter. These results suggest that the routine monitoring of multiple pathogens in food and water samples is now technically feasible. This method may provide more reliable information for risk assessment than the current fecal contamination indicator approach.
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Segawa T, Takeuchi N, Rivera A, Yamada A, Yoshimura Y, Barcaza G, Shinbori K, Motoyama H, Kohshima S, Ushida K. Distribution of antibiotic resistance genes in glacier environments. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2013; 5:127-34. [PMID: 23757141 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.12011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2012] [Revised: 10/05/2012] [Accepted: 10/12/2012] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance genes are biologically transmitted from microorganism to microorganism in particular micro-environments where dense microbial communities are often exposed to an intensive use of antibiotics, such as intestinal microflora, and the soil microflora of agricultural fields. However, recent studies have detected antibiotic-resistant bacteria and/or antibiotic resistance genes in the natural environment geographically isolated from such areas. Here we sought to examine the prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes in 54 snow and ice samples collected from the Arctic, Antarctic, Central Asia, North and South America and Africa, to evaluate the level of these genes in environments supposedly not affected by anthropogenic factors. We observed a widespread distribution of antibiotic resistance genes in samples from various glaciers in Central Asia, North and South America, Greenland and Africa. In contrast, Antarctic glaciers were virtually free from these genes. Antibiotic resistance genes, of both clinical (i.e. aac(3), blaIMP) and agricultural (i.e. strA and tetW) origin, were detected. Our results show regional geographical distribution of antibiotic resistance genes, with the most plausible modes of transmission through airborne bacteria and migrating birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Segawa
- Transdisciplinary Research Integration Center, 4-3-13 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0001, Japan
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