Prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors in the sediment of WWTP effluent-dominated rivers

In the context of increasing aridity due to climate changes, effluent from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) became dominant in some rivers. However, the prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence factors (VFs) in effluent-dominated rivers was rarely investigated. In this study, the profiles of ARGs and VFs in the sediment of two effluent-dominated rivers were revealed through the metagenomic sequencing technique. In each river, samples from the effluent discharge point (P site) and approximately 500 m downstream (D site) were collected. Results showed that the abundances of ARGs and VFs were both higher in D sites than those in P sites, indicating higher risks in the downstream areas. The compositions of ARGs were similar in the P sites of two rivers while being distinct in the D sites. The same was true for changes in the VFs compositions. Microbial community structure variations were the main driver for the changes in ARGs and VFs. Network analysis revealed that the interaction of ARGs and VF genes (VFGs) in sediment was intense. Two VFGs and eleven ARGs were identified to play important roles in the network. Metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) were generated to evaluate the coexistence of ARGs and VFGs at the single genome level. It was found that 38.4 % of the MAGs contained both ARGs and VFGs, and two MAGs were from pathogenic genera. These results suggested that high microbiological risks existed in effluent-dominated rivers, and necessary measures should be taken to prevent the potential threat to public health.