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Mó I, da Silva GJ. Tackling Carbapenem Resistance and the Imperative for One Health Strategies-Insights from the Portuguese Perspective. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:557. [PMID: 38927223 PMCID: PMC11201282 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13060557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2024] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Carbapenemases, a class of enzymes specialized in the hydrolysis of carbapenems, represent a significant threat to global public health. These enzymes are classified into different Ambler's classes based on their active sites, categorized into classes A, D, and B. Among the most prevalent types are IMI/NMC-A, KPC, VIM, IMP, and OXA-48, commonly associated with pathogenic species such as Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The emergence and dissemination of carbapenemase-producing bacteria have raised substantial concerns due to their ability to infect humans and animals (both companion and food-producing) and their presence in environmental reservoirs. Adopting a holistic One Health approach, concerted efforts have been directed toward devising comprehensive strategies to mitigate the impact of antimicrobial resistance dissemination. This entails collaborative interventions, highlighting proactive measures by global organizations like the World Health Organization, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Food and Agriculture Organization. By synthesizing the evolving landscape of carbapenemase epidemiology in Portugal and tracing the trajectory from initial isolated cases to contemporary reports, this review highlights key factors driving antibiotic resistance, such as antimicrobial use and healthcare practices, and underscores the imperative for sustained vigilance, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovative interventions to curb the escalating threat posed by antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Finally, it discusses potential alternatives and innovations aimed at tackling carbapenemase-mediated antibiotic resistance, including new therapies, enhanced surveillance, and public awareness campaigns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês Mó
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal;
| | - Gabriela Jorge da Silva
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal;
- CNC, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
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Puljko A, Babić I, Rozman SD, Barišić I, Jelić M, Maravić A, Parać M, Petrić I, Udiković-Kolić N. Treated municipal wastewater as a source of high-risk and emerging multidrug-resistant clones of E. coli and other Enterobacterales producing extended-spectrum β-lactamases. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 243:117792. [PMID: 38048868 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117792] [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: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales are a major public health problem, and wastewater from municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is a potential means of spreading them into the environment and community. Our objective was to isolate ESBL-producing E. coli and other Enterobacterales from wastewater after treatment at Croatia's largest WWTP and to characterize these isolates by phenotypic and genotypic testing. Of the 200 bacterial isolates, 140 were confirmed as Enterobacterales by MALDI-TOF MS, with Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. predominating (69% and 7%, respectively). All 140 enterobacterial isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR) and produced ESBLs. The most prevalent ESBL genes among the isolates tested were blaCTX-M-15 (60%), blaTEM-116 (44%), and blaCTX-M-3 (13%). Most isolates (94%) carried more than one ESBL gene in addition to blaCTX-M. Genes encoding plasmid-mediated AmpC, most notably blaEBC, were detected in 22% of isolates, whereas genes encoding carbapenemases (blaOXA-48, blaNDM-1, blaVIM-1) were less represented (10%). In E. coli, 9 different sequence types (ST) were found, with the emerging high-risk clones ST361 (serotype A-O9:H30) and pandemic ST131 (serotype B2-O25:H4) predominating (32% and 15%, respectively). Other high-risk E. coli clones included ST405 (3%), ST410 (3%), CC10 (3%), ST10 (3%), and ST38 (2%), and emerging clones included ST1193 (2%) and ST635 (2%). Whole-genome sequencing of three representative E. coli from two dominant clone groups (ST361 and ST131) and one extensively drug-resistant K. oxytoca revealed the presence of multiple plasmids and resistance genes to several other antibiotic classes, as well as association of the blaCTX-M-15 gene with transposons and insertion sequences. Our findings indicate that treated municipal wastewater contributes to the spread of emerging and pandemic MDR E. coli clones and other enterobacterial strains of clinical importance into the aquatic environment, with the risk of reintroduction into humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Puljko
- Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, P.O. Box 180, 10 002, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivana Babić
- Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, P.O. Box 180, 10 002, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Svjetlana Dekić Rozman
- Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, P.O. Box 180, 10 002, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivan Barišić
- Molecular Diagnostics, Austrian Institute of Technology, Giefinggasse 4, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marko Jelić
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Mirogojska 8, 10 000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ana Maravić
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Split, Ruđera Boškovića 33, 21 000, Split, Croatia
| | - Marija Parać
- Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, P.O. Box 180, 10 002, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ines Petrić
- Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, P.O. Box 180, 10 002, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nikolina Udiković-Kolić
- Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, P.O. Box 180, 10 002, Zagreb, Croatia.
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Dantas Palmeira J, do Arte I, Ragab Mersal MM, Carneiro da Mota C, Ferreira HMN. KPC-Producing Enterobacterales from Douro River, Portugal-Persistent Environmental Contamination by Putative Healthcare Settings. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 12:antibiotics12010062. [PMID: 36671263 PMCID: PMC9855090 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12010062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) are a growing concern, representing a major public health threat to humans, especially in healthcare settings. In the present study, we evaluated the persistent contamination by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales in water from Douro River, Portugal. KPC-producing Enterobacterales were detected in five water samples separated chronologically by 15 days each. Susceptibility testing was performed by disk-diffusion-method according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), phenotypic carbapenemase activity was evaluated by carbapenem inactivation method, presumptive identification of the isolates was performed by CHROMagar orientation and confirmed by API-20E. Carbapenemase genes were screened by PCR and the clonality of all isolates was assessed by XbaI-Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE). Fifteen KPC-producing Enterobacterales isolates were selected, identified as multidrug-resistant and showed a resistance profile to non-beta-lactam antibiotics: sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim (7/15), ciprofloxacin (3/15), fosfomycin (3/15) and chloramphenicol (2/15). Isolates were identified as (6) Escherichia coli and (9) Klebsiella pneumoniae. Our results suggest a punctual contamination with KPC-producing Enterobacterales continued through the time. The absence of clonality between the isolates suggests a circulation of mobile genetic element harbouring KPC gene in the origin of contamination. This work provides a better understanding on the impacts of water pollution resulting from human activities on aquatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josman Dantas Palmeira
- UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, REQUIMTE, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Biological Sciences Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- CESAM—Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
- PICTIS—International Platform for Science, Technology and Innovation in Health, University of Aveiro (Portugal) & FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 1040-360, Brazil
- Correspondence:
| | - Inah do Arte
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Biological Sciences Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Mai Muhammed Ragab Mersal
- UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, REQUIMTE, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Biological Sciences Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Catarina Carneiro da Mota
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Biological Sciences Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Helena Maria Neto Ferreira
- UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, REQUIMTE, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Biological Sciences Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
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Waśko I, Kozińska A, Kotlarska E, Baraniak A. Clinically Relevant β-Lactam Resistance Genes in Wastewater Treatment Plants. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph192113829. [PMID: 36360709 PMCID: PMC9657204 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192113829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the largest global concerns due to its influence in multiple areas, which is consistent with One Health's concept of close interconnections between people, animals, plants, and their shared environments. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) circulate constantly in various niches, sediments, water sources, soil, and wastes of the animal and plant sectors, and is linked to human activities. Sewage of different origins gets to the wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), where ARB and ARG removal efficiency is still insufficient, leading to their transmission to discharge points and further dissemination. Thus, WWTPs are believed to be reservoirs of ARGs and the source of spreading AMR. According to a World Health Organization report, the most critical pathogens for public health include Gram-negative bacteria resistant to third-generation cephalosporins and carbapenems (last-choice drugs), which represent β-lactams, the most widely used antibiotics. Therefore, this paper aimed to present the available research data for ARGs in WWTPs that confer resistance to β-lactam antibiotics, with a particular emphasis on clinically important life-threatening mechanisms of resistance, including extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and carbapenemases (KPC, NDM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Izabela Waśko
- Department of Biomedical Research, National Medicines Institute, Chelmska 30/34, 00-725 Warsaw, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-228-410-623
| | - Aleksandra Kozińska
- Department of Biomedical Research, National Medicines Institute, Chelmska 30/34, 00-725 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Kotlarska
- Genetics and Marine Biotechnology Department, Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Powstancow Warszawy 55, 81-712 Sopot, Poland
| | - Anna Baraniak
- Department of Biomedical Research, National Medicines Institute, Chelmska 30/34, 00-725 Warsaw, Poland
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Tacão M, Laço J, Teixeira P, Henriques I. CTX-M-Producing Bacteria Isolated from a Highly Polluted River System in Portugal. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph191911858. [PMID: 36231185 PMCID: PMC9565674 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191911858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Enterobacteriaceae resistant to third-generation cephalosporins are a great concern for public health, as these are first-line drugs to treat infections. The production of carbapenemases and extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) and/or the overexpression of AmpC β-lactamases are the main mechanisms of resistance to these antibiotics. Among the ESBLs, CTX-M β-lactamases are the most prevalent worldwide. Our aims were to determine the prevalence of cefotaxime-resistant Enterobacteriaceae along a heavily polluted river and characterize blaCTX-M carriers. River water was collected in 11 sites along the main course and tributaries, in two sampling moments. Water quality was evaluated and a collection of cefotaxime-resistant isolates was obtained. blaCTX-M carriers were characterized regarding phylogenetic affiliation, clonality, antibiotic susceptibility, gene diversity, and context. Water presented very low quality in all sites. From 147 cefotaxime-resistant isolates, 46% carried blaCTX-M and were affiliated with Escherichia, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, and Citrobacter. Molecular typing revealed clonal isolates in different sites and over the two years, suggesting survival of the strains in the river or continuous pollution inputs from the same sources. Eight variants of blaCTX-M were found, with blaCTX-M-15 being the most prevalent (52.5%). Sites with a lower water quality showed the highest resistance rates and prevalence of blaCTX-M, suggesting that river water may embody human health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Tacão
- CESAM and Biology Department, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - José Laço
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Pedro Teixeira
- CESAM and Biology Department, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Isabel Henriques
- Department of Life Sciences and CFE, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
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Teixeira P, Pinto N, Henriques I, Tacão M. KPC-3-, GES-5-, and VIM-1-Producing Enterobacterales Isolated from Urban Ponds. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19105848. [PMID: 35627386 PMCID: PMC9141432 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19105848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Carbapenems are antibiotics of pivotal importance in human medicine, the efficacy of which is threatened by the increasing prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE). Urban ponds may be reservoirs of CRE, although this hypothesis has been poorly explored. We assessed the proportion of CRE in urban ponds over a one-year period and retrieved 23 isolates. These were submitted to BOX-PCR, PFGE, 16S rDNA sequencing, antibiotic susceptibility tests, detection of carbapenemase-encoding genes, and conjugation assays. Isolates were affiliated with Klebsiella (n = 1), Raoultella (n = 11), Citrobacter (n = 8), and Enterobacter (n = 3). Carbapenemase-encoding genes were detected in 21 isolates: blaKPC (n = 20), blaGES-5 (n = 6), and blaVIM (n = 1), with 7 isolates carrying two carbapenemase genes. Clonal isolates were collected from different ponds and in different campaigns. Citrobacter F6, Raoultella N9, and Enterobacter N10 were predicted as pathogens from whole-genome sequence analysis, which also revealed the presence of several resistance genes and mobile genetic elements. We found that blaKPC-3 was located on Tn4401b (Citrobacter F6 and Enterobacter N10) or Tn4401d (Raoultella N9). The former was part of an IncFIA-FII pBK30683-like plasmid. In addition, blaGES-5 was in a class 3 integron, either chromosomal (Raoultella N9) or plasmidic (Enterobacter N10). Our findings confirmed the role of urban ponds as reservoirs and dispersal sites for CRE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Teixeira
- CESAM (Centre for Marine and Environmental Studies), University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; (P.T.); (M.T.)
- Biology Department, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal;
| | - Nuno Pinto
- Biology Department, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal;
| | - Isabel Henriques
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
- Correspondence:
| | - Marta Tacão
- CESAM (Centre for Marine and Environmental Studies), University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; (P.T.); (M.T.)
- Biology Department, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal;
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Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance in Hospital Wastewater: Identification of Carbapenemase-Producing Klebsiella spp. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11030288. [PMID: 35326752 PMCID: PMC8944648 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11030288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the presence and persistence of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella spp. isolated from wastewater and treated wastewater from two tertiary hospitals in Mexico. We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study in two hospital wastewater treatment plants, which were sampled in February 2020. We obtained 30 Klebsiella spp. isolates. Bacterial identification was carried out by the Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time of Flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS®) and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles were performed using the VITEK2® automated system. The presence of carbapenem resistance genes (CRGs) in Klebsiella spp. isolates was confirmed by PCR. Molecular typing was determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). High rates of Klebsiella spp. resistance to cephalosporins and carbapenems (80%) were observed in isolates from treated wastewater from both hospitals. The molecular screening by PCR showed the presence of blaKPC and blaOXA-48-like genes. The PFGE pattern separated the Klebsiella isolates into 19 patterns (A–R) with three subtypes (C1, D1, and I1). Microbiological surveillance and identification of resistance genes of clinically important pathogens in hospital wastewater can be a general screening method for early determination of under-detected antimicrobial resistance profiles in hospitals and early warning of outbreaks and difficult-to-treat infections.
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First Outbreak of NDM-1-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae ST11 in a Portuguese Hospital Centre during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10020251. [PMID: 35208703 PMCID: PMC8877040 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10020251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM) carbapenemase has been considered a global threat due to its worldwide widespread in recent years. In Portugal, a very low number of infections with NDM-producing Enterobacterales has been reported. A total of 52 strains from 40 patients and 1 environmental sample isolated during COVID-19 pandemic were included in this study. Wholegenome sequencing (WGS) was performed on 20 carbapenemase-producing strains, including 17 NDM-1-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae ST11-KL105 lineage strains, one NDM-1-producing Escherichia coli ST58 strain and one KPC-3-producing K. pneumoniae ST147 strain, recovered from a total of 19 patients. Of interest, also one NDM-1-producing K. pneumoniae ST11-KL105 was collected from the hospital environment. Genome-wide phylogenetic analysis revealed an ongoing dissemination of NDM-1-producing K. pneumoniae ST11 strains (n = 18) with the same genetic features seen across multiple wards. Furthermore, the ST58 E. coli strain, collected from a patient rectal swab that was also colonised with a K. pneumoniae strain, also showed the IncFIA plasmid replicon and the blaNDM-1 gene (preceded by IS30 and followed by genes bleMBL, trpF, dsbC, cutA, groES and groEL). The blaNDM-1 is part of Tn125-like identical to those reported in Poland, Italy and India. The blaKPC-3 K. pneumoniae ST147-KL64 strain has the genetic environment Tn4401d isoform. In conclusion, herein we report the molecular epidemiology, resistome, virulome and mobilome of the first NDM-1 carbapenemase outbreak caused by K. pneumoniae ST11-KL105 lineage during the COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal. Moreover, the outbreak strains characterised included seventeen different patients (infected and colonised) and one environmental sample which also emphasises the role of commensal and hospital environment strains in the dissemination of the outbreak.
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Hubbard LE, Kolpin DW, Givens CE, Blackwell BR, Bradley PM, Gray JL, Lane RF, Masoner JR, McCleskey RB, Romanok KM, Sandstrom MW, Smalling KL, Villeneuve DL. Food, Beverage, and Feedstock Processing Facility Wastewater: a Unique and Underappreciated Source of Contaminants to U.S. Streams. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:1028-1040. [PMID: 34967600 PMCID: PMC9219000 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c06821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Process wastewaters from food, beverage, and feedstock facilities, although regulated, are an under-investigated environmental contaminant source. Food process wastewaters (FPWWs) from 23 facilities in 17 U.S. states were sampled and documented for a plethora of chemical and microbial contaminants. Of the 576 analyzed organics, 184 (32%) were detected at least once, with concentrations as large as 143 μg L-1 (6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid), and as many as 47 were detected in a single FPWW sample. Cumulative per/polyfluoroalkyl substance concentrations up to 185 μg L-1 and large pesticide transformation product concentrations (e.g., methomyl oxime, 40 μg L-1; clothianidin TMG, 2.02 μg L-1) were observed. Despite 48% of FPWW undergoing disinfection treatment prior to discharge, bacteria resistant to third-generation antibiotics were found in each facility type, and multiple bacterial groups were detected in all samples, including total coliforms. The exposure-activity ratios and toxicity quotients exceeded 1.0 in 13 and 22% of samples, respectively, indicating potential biological effects and toxicity to vertebrates and invertebrates associated with the discharge of FPWW. Organic contaminant profiles of FPWW differed from previously reported contaminant profiles of municipal effluents and urban storm water, indicating that FPWW is another important source of chemical and microbial contaminant mixtures discharged into receiving surface waters.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dana W. Kolpin
- U.S. Geological Survey, Iowa City, Iowa 52240, United States
| | | | - Brett R. Blackwell
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, Minnesota 55084, United States
| | - Paul M. Bradley
- U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia, South Carolina 29210, United States
| | - James L. Gray
- U.S. Geological Survey, Lakewood, Colorado 80225, United States
| | - Rachael F. Lane
- U.S. Geological Survey, Lawrence, Kansas 66049, United States
| | - Jason R. Masoner
- U.S. Geological Survey, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73116, United States
| | | | | | | | - Kelly L. Smalling
- U.S. Geological Survey, Lawrenceville, New Jersey 08648, United States
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