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Ragab S, Gouda SM, Abdelmoteleb M, El-Shibiny A. The role of identified and characterized bacteriophage ZCEC13 in controlling pathogenic and multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli in wastewater: in vitro study. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY 2024; 45:3544-3558. [PMID: 37255221 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2023.2220886] [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: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The spread and development of Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) bacteria in wastewater became beyond control and a global public health concern. The conventional disinfectants used in wastewater treatment methods have been becoming increasingly ineffective against a range of pathogenic and MDR bacteria. Bacteriophages are considered a novel approach to microbial control. Therefore, this study aims to explore the possibility of using phages against pathogenic and MDR Escherichia coli strains isolated from wastewater treatment plants. The wastewater samples were collected from two different treatment plants for E. coli isolation. The antibiotic sensitivity profile and occurrence of virulence and resistant genes were tested in 28 E. coli isolates. Phage ZCEC13 was selected based on its promising activity and host range to undergo identification and characterization. ZCEC13 was evaluated by transmission electron microscopy, genomic sequencing, in vitro lytic activity and tested for its stability under different conditions such as pH, Ultraviolet light exposure, and temperature. The results reported that ZCEC13 belongs to the Caudoviricetes class, with a high antibacterial dynamic. Phage ZCEC13 displayed high stability at different pH values ranging from 2 to 12, good tolerance to temperatures from -4 to 65°C, and high stability at UV exposure for 120 min. Respectively, the findings showed stability of the phage under several conditions and high efficiency in killing MDR bacteria isolated from the treatment plants. Further studies are encouraged to analyse the efficacy of phages as a microbial control agent in wastewater treatment plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samar Ragab
- Center for Microbiology and Phage Therapy, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt
| | - Shrouk Mohamed Gouda
- Center for Microbiology and Phage Therapy, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt
| | | | - Ayman El-Shibiny
- Center for Microbiology and Phage Therapy, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt
- Faculty of Environmental Agricultural Sciences, Arish University, Arish, Egypt
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Meng Z, Mo X, Xue Q, Wang Z, Lu X, Liu J, Ma Q, Sparks JP, He M. Distribution, source apportionment, and ecological risk assessment of soil antibiotic resistance genes in urban green spaces. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 251:118601. [PMID: 38447608 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Urban green spaces play a crucial role in cities by providing near-natural environments that greatly impacts the health of residents. However, these green spaces have recently been scrutinized as potential reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), posing significant ecological risks. Despite this concern, our understanding of the distribution, sources, and ecological risks associated with ARGs remains limited. In this study, we investigated the spatial distribution of soil ARGs using spatial interpolation and auto-correlation analysis. To apportion the source of soil ARGs in urban green spaces of Tianjin, Geo-detector method (GDM) was employed. Furthermore, we evaluated the ecological risk posed by ARGs employing risk quotients (RQ). The results of our study showed a significantly higher abundance of Quinolone resistance genes in the soil of urban green spaces in Tianjin. These genes were mainly found in the northwest, central, and eastern regions of the city. Our investigation identified three main factors contributing to the presence of soil ARGs: antibiotic production, precipitation, livestock breeding, and hospital. The results of ecological risk in RQ value showed a high risk associated with Quinolone resistance genes, followed by Aminoglycoside, Tetracycline, Multidrug, MLSB, Beta Lactam, Sulfonamide, and Chloramphenicol. Mantel-test and correlation analysis revealed that the ecological risk of ARGs was greatly influenced by soil properties and heavy metals. This study provides a new perspective on source apportionment and the ecological risk assessment of soil ARGs in urban green spaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zirui Meng
- School of Geographic and Environmental Science, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, 300382, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Environment, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, 300382, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Science, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Xunqiang Mo
- School of Geographic and Environmental Science, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, 300382, China
| | - Qing Xue
- School of Geographic and Environmental Science, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, 300382, China
| | - Ziyi Wang
- School of Geographic and Environmental Science, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, 300382, China
| | - Xueqiang Lu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Jie Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Center for Grassland Microbiome, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730020, China
| | - Qinqin Ma
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Normal University, Sichuan, 610066, China
| | - Jed P Sparks
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Mengxuan He
- School of Geographic and Environmental Science, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, 300382, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Environment, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, 300382, China.
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Mansour R, El-Dakdouki MH, Mina S. Phylogenetic group distribution and antibiotic resistance of Escherichia coli isolates in aquatic environments of a highly populated area. AIMS Microbiol 2024; 10:340-362. [PMID: 38919712 PMCID: PMC11194619 DOI: 10.3934/microbiol.2024018] [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: 03/09/2024] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae including Escherichia coli (E. coli), are recognized as a global public health threat due to their multidrug-resistant (MDR) phenotypes and their rapid dissemination in aquatic environments. Nevertheless, studies investigating the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profile of ESBL-producing E. coli in Lebanese surface water are limited. Objective This study aimed to assess the physicochemical properties and microbial contamination load and to determine the distribution of AMR patterns of ESBL-producing E. coli in surface water samples from different sites in the North Governorate of Lebanon. Methods Water samples were collected from 25 major sites in North Lebanon. These samples were analyzed for the presence of total coliforms, E. coli, and fecal enterococci. Phenotypic and genetic characterizations were then performed for E. coli isolates to determine their resistance patterns and phylogenetic groups. Results Fifty-six samples out of 100 samples were positive for ESBL-producing E. coli, mostly harboring blaCTX-M (40/56, 71%) including blaCTX-M-15 (33/40, 82%), blaTEM gene (36/56, 64%), blaSHV (20/56, 36%), and blaOXA (16/56, 29%) including blaOXA-48 gene (11/16, 69%). Most ESBL-producing E. coli isolates belonged to the extra-intestinal pathogenic phylogroup B2 (40/56, 71.4%) while 10/56 (17.9%) belonged to the commensal phylogroup A. Conclusion Our results highlight the need to implement effective water monitoring strategies to control transmission of ESBL-producing E. coli in surface water and thus reduce the burden on human and animal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosette Mansour
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Beirut Arab University, P.O. Box 11-5020, Riad El Solh 11072809, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Mohammad H. El-Dakdouki
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Beirut Arab University, P.O. Box 11-5020, Riad El Solh 11072809, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Sara Mina
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Beirut Arab University, P.O. Box 11-5020, Riad El Solh 11072809, Beirut, Lebanon
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Montes-Robledo A, Buelvas-Montes Y, Baldiris-Avila R. Description of extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli based on phylogenetic grouping, virulence factors, and antimicrobial susceptibility. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY 2023; 15:503-512. [PMID: 38045705 PMCID: PMC10692971 DOI: 10.18502/ijm.v15i4.13504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objectives Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) is a recently recognized and highly diverse pathotype of E. coli. Its significance as a pathogen has increased due to the emergence of hypervirulent and multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains. The aim of this study was to characterize ExPEC isolates from humans based on their phylogenetic group, virulence factor profile, and antimicrobial susceptibility. Materials and Methods The isolates were collected from patients with extraintestinal infections caused by E. coli, including urinary tract infections, bacteremia, and surgical site infections. The E. coli phylogenetic groups were determined using multiplex PCR. Additionally, the isolates were evaluated for their biofilm-forming abilities, susceptibility to antimicrobial agents, and presence of virulence genes. Results In this study, the isolates were classified into four phylogenetic groups: A (48.3%), B2 (25.8%), D (19.35%), and B1 (6.45%). All isolates exhibited at least one of the ten analyzed virulence factors. However, there was no direct evidence linking a specific phylogenetic group to a particular virulence factor. Nevertheless, the presence of the fimH, fyuA, ompT, traT, and kpsMTII virulence genes was correlated with the production of strong biofilms, multidrug resistance (MDR), and the production of alpha hemolysin. Conclusion This study provides a description of the phylogenetic groups in ExPEC and their potential association with virulence factor profiles and antimicrobial susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Montes-Robledo
- Department of Exact and Natural Sciences, School of Biology, Universidad de Cartagena, Cartagena, Colombia
- Department of Basic Health, School of Medicine, Universidad del Sinú Cartagena, Cartagena, Colombia
| | - Yaleyvis Buelvas-Montes
- Department of Exact and Natural Sciences, School of Biology, Universidad de Cartagena, Cartagena, Colombia
- Department of Basic Health, School of Medicine, Universidad del Sinú Cartagena, Cartagena, Colombia
| | - Rosa Baldiris-Avila
- Department of Exact and Natural Sciences, School of Biology, Universidad de Cartagena, Cartagena, Colombia
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Piergiacomo F, Brusetti L, Pagani L. Understanding the Interplay between Antimicrobial Resistance, Microplastics and Xenobiotic Contaminants: A Leap towards One Health? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 20:42. [PMID: 36612363 PMCID: PMC9819104 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
According to the World Health Organization, the two major public health threats in the twenty-first century are antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic-resistant genes. The reason for the global prevalence and the constant increase of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is owed to the steady rise in overall antimicrobial consumption in several medical, domestic, agricultural, industrial, and veterinary applications, with consequent environmental release. These antibiotic residues may directly contaminate terrestrial and aquatic environments in which antibiotic-resistance genes are also present. Reports suggest that metal contamination is one of the main drivers of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Moreover, the abundance of antibiotic-resistance genes is directly connected to the predominance of metal concentrations in the environment. In addition, microplastics have become a threat as emerging contaminants because of their ubiquitous presence, bio-inertness, toughness, danger to aquatic life, and human health implications. In the environment, microplastics and AMR are interconnected through biofilms, where genetic information (e.g., ARGs) is horizontally transferred between bacteria. From this perspective, we tried to summarize what is currently known on this topic and to propose a more effective One Health policy to tackle these threats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Piergiacomo
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bolzano-Bozen, Piazza Università 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Brusetti
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bolzano-Bozen, Piazza Università 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
| | - Leonardo Pagani
- Antimicrobial Stewardship Project, Provincial Hospital of Bolzano (SABES-ASDAA), Lehrkrankenhaus der Paracelsus Medizinischen Privatuniversität, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
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