1
|
Dropa M, da Silva JSB, Andrade AFC, Nakasone DH, Cunha MPV, Ribeiro G, de Araújo RS, Brandão CJ, Ghiglione B, Lincopan N, Sato MIZ, Knöbl T. Spread and persistence of antimicrobial resistance genes in wastewater from human and animal sources in São Paulo, Brazil. Trop Med Int Health 2024; 29:424-433. [PMID: 38545908 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.13986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
The spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through multiple reservoirs is a global concern. Wastewater is a critical AMR dissemination source, so this study aimed to assess the persistence of resistance genetic markers in wastewater using a culture-independent approach. Raw and treated wastewater samples (n = 121) from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), a human hospital, a veterinary hospital, and a pig farm were monthly collected and concentrated by filtration. DNA was extracted directly from filter membranes, and PCR was used in the qualitative search of 32 antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). Selected genes (blaCTX-M, blaKPC, qnrB, and mcr-1) were enumerated by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Twenty-six ARGs were detected in the qualitative ARGs search, while quantitative data showed a low variation of the ARG's relative abundance (RA) throughout the months, especially at the human hospital and the WWTP. At the WWTP, despite significantly reducing the absolute number of gene copies/L after each treatment stage (p < 0.05), slight increases (p > 0.05) in the RAs of genes blaCTX-M, qnrB, and mcr-1 were observed in reused water (tertiary treatment) when compared with secondary effluent. Although the increase is not statistically significant, it is worth noting that there was some level of ARGs concentration after the disinfection process. No significant absolute or relative after-treatment quantification reductions were observed for any ARGs at the veterinary hospital or the pig farm. The spread of ARGs through sewage needs to be continuously addressed, because their release into natural environments may pose potential risks of exposure to resistant bacteria and impact local ecosystems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Milena Dropa
- School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - André Furugen César Andrade
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Department of Pathology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Denis Hideki Nakasone
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Department of Pathology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcos Paulo Vieira Cunha
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Department of Pathology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gesiane Ribeiro
- Veterinary Hospital, Department of Veterinary Medicine, FMU University Center, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ronalda Silva de Araújo
- Department of Environmental Analysis, Environmental Company of the São Paulo State (CETESB), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos Jesus Brandão
- Department of Environmental Analysis, Environmental Company of the São Paulo State (CETESB), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Barbara Ghiglione
- School of Pharmacy & Biochemistry (FFyB), Department of Microbiology, Immunology, Biotechnology and Genetics, University of Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Nilton Lincopan
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Microbiology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Inês Zanoli Sato
- Department of Environmental Analysis, Environmental Company of the São Paulo State (CETESB), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Terezinha Knöbl
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Department of Pathology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|