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The Science of the Total Environment Dec 2023Soils, especially in farmlands, are key media for the transmission of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and their hosts from the environment to humans. Sloping farmland...
Soils, especially in farmlands, are key media for the transmission of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and their hosts from the environment to humans. Sloping farmland is an important agricultural resource, but there lack of studies on the fate and risk of ARGs in sloping land. Also, the behavior and drivers of ARGs in response to slope gradient and position are unclear. Here, metagenomics was used to investigate the profiles of ARGs, mobile genetic elements, and microbial communities in soils from lands of five slope gradients (5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, and 25°) with two slope positions (uphill and downhill). Results showed that while the abundance (except 15°) and diversity (except 20°) of ARGs increased as the slope gradient increased, the diversity of ARGs with health risk, especially the high-risk ones, decreased. For slope positions, abundant and diverse ARGs were more likely to accumulate at downhill. Furthermore, 52 bacterial genera and 12 human pathogenic bacteria (HPB) species were identified as the potential hosts for ARGs with high risk, and abundant HPB species were also detected in the soils with low gradients at downhill. Moreover, the structural equation model analysis revealed that the slope gradient and the slope position have both direct and indirect effects on the abundance of ARGs. Further correlation analysis revealed that the slope gradient has a positive effect (p < 0.05) on nitrite nitrogen in the soils. Also, the slope position has a negative effect (p < 0.05) on total phosphorus and microbial nitrogen, while positively affected (p < 0.05) on particulate nitrogen and microbial carbon, which were the key factors driving the behavior of ARGs. Overall, this study provided comprehensive information on ARGs with health risks and their potential pathogenic hosts in sloping farmland. It can be important for controlling antibiotic resistance transmission and be consistent with the One Health framework.
Topics: Humans; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Genes, Bacterial; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Bacteria; Soil; Risk Assessment; Nitrogen; Soil Microbiology
PubMed: 37742984
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166994 -
Huan Jing Ke Xue= Huanjing Kexue Jul 2023The oasis agro-ecosystem is a complex ecosystem with intensive human activities in arid areas. Microbial antibiotic resistance is posing threats to human health and...
The oasis agro-ecosystem is a complex ecosystem with intensive human activities in arid areas. Microbial antibiotic resistance is posing threats to human health and ecological balance. It is of great importance to investigate the diversity, distribution profiles, and driving factors of soil antibiotic resistance genes under different land use patterns in a desert-oasis continuum, especially for assessing soil environmental and human health risks in arid regions. In this study, high throughput sequencing combined with high throughput quantitative PCR were used to investigate the microbial community structure and patterns of antibiotic resistance genes in a desert-oasis continuum, aiming to explore the distribution characteristics and driving mechanisms of soil resistance genes. The results showed that the diversity and abundance of antibiotic resistance increased significantly from the edge of desert to the central oasis, along with Dest, Cotn, Maiz, Reed, and Sedt, consecutively, implying that farmland soil was an important reservoir of resistance genes, which was closely related to land use and land cover change. Soil microbial communities were significantly correlated with antibiotic resistance genes. , and were important potential hosts of various resistance genes. The patterns of antibiotic resistance genes were shaped by heavy metal elements, MGEs, and microbial communities in arid soil, which accumulatively accounted for 70% of the variations in resistance genes alone or together and therefore drove the occurrence, enrichment, and evolution of resistance genes in agricultural soil of the desert-oasis continuum.
Topics: Humans; Agriculture; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Microbiota; Soil
PubMed: 37438303
DOI: 10.13227/j.hjkx.202208108 -
Chemosphere Oct 2023Manganese ore substrate up-flow microbial fuel cell constructed wetland (UCW-MFC(Mn)) as an innovative wastewater treatment technology for purifying antibiotics and...
Enhanced removal of antibiotic and antibiotic resistance genes by coupling biofilm electrode reactor and manganese ore substrate up-flow microbial fuel cell constructed wetland system.
Manganese ore substrate up-flow microbial fuel cell constructed wetland (UCW-MFC(Mn)) as an innovative wastewater treatment technology for purifying antibiotics and electricity generation with few antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) generation has attracted attention. However, antibiotic purifying effects should be further enhanced. In this study, a biofilm electrode reactor (BER) that needs direct current driving was powered by a Mn ore anode (UCW-MFC(Mn)) to form a coupled system without requiring direct-current source. Removal efficiencies of sulfadiazine (SDZ), ciprofloxacin (CIP) and the corresponding ARGs in the coupled system were compared with composite (BER was powered by direct-current source) and anaerobic systems (both of BER and UCW-MFC were in open circuit mode). The result showed that higher antibiotic removal efficiency (94% for SDZ and 99.1% for CIP) in the coupled system was achieved than the anaerobic system (88.5% for SDZ and 98.2% for CIP). Moreover, electrical stimulation reduced antibiotic selective pressure and horizontal gene transfer potential in BER, and UCW-MFC further reduced ARG abundances by strengthening the electro-adsorption of ARG hosts determined by Network analysis. Bacterial community diversity continuously decreased in BER while it increased in UCW-MFC, indicating that BER mitigated the toxicity of antibiotic. Degree of modularity, some functional bacteria (antibiotic degrading bacteria, fermentative bacteria and EAB), and P450 enzyme related to antibiotic and xenobiotics biodegradation genes were enriched in electric field existing UCW-MFC, accounting for the higher degradation efficiency. In conclusion, this study provided an effective strategy for removing antibiotics and ARGs in wastewater by operating a BER-UCW-MFC coupled system.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bioelectric Energy Sources; Manganese; Wetlands; Sulfadiazine; Ciprofloxacin; Bacteria; Electrodes; Biofilms; Drug Resistance, Microbial
PubMed: 37437616
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139461 -
The Science of the Total Environment Dec 2023A one year study was conducted in the city of Nijmegen, The Netherlands, to characterize various urban sources of antibiotics and antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) in...
A one year study was conducted in the city of Nijmegen, The Netherlands, to characterize various urban sources of antibiotics and antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) in wastewater within a single sewer catchment. Prevalence of ermB, tet(W), sul1, sul2, intl1, and 16S rRNA gene was determined at 10 locations within the city. Sampling locations included a nursing home, a student residence, a hospital and an industrial area, among others. Wastewater concentrations of 23 antibiotics were measured using passive sampling. Additionally, excreted loads of 22 antibiotics were estimated based on ambulatory prescription and clinical usage data. Genes sul1 and intl1 were most abundant across most locations. Ciprofloxacin and amoxicillin together contributed over 92 % of the total estimated antibiotic selective pressure at all sampling points. The present study highlights the prominent role that hospitals can have in the prevalence and proliferation of ARGs in urban wastewater. Furthermore, results suggest that even short-term changes in the therapeutic regimen prescribed in hospitals may translate into shifting ARG abundance patterns in hospital wastewater. The methods applied present an opportunity to identify emission hotspots and prioritize intervention options to limit ARG spread from urban wastewater to the environment.
Topics: Humans; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Wastewater; Genes, Bacterial; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Drug Resistance, Microbial
PubMed: 37774886
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167439 -
Yi Chuan = Hereditas Nov 2023Mismatch repair (MMR) is a common repair system after DNA replication, which is critical for maintaining genomic stability. Members of the MutS and MutL protein families... (Review)
Review
Mismatch repair (MMR) is a common repair system after DNA replication, which is critical for maintaining genomic stability. Members of the MutS and MutL protein families are involved in key steps of mismatch repair. Despite the major importance of this repair pathway, MutS-MutL are absent in almost all Actinobacteria and many Archaea. Mycobacteria and others have another non-canonical MMR pathway, in which EndoMS/NucS plays a key role and has no structural homology compared to canonical MMR proteins (MutS/MutL). EndoMS/NucS mediated non-canonical mismatch repair plays an important role in DNA repair, mutation, homologous recombination and antibiotic resistance of Mycobacterium. By comparing the classical and non-canonical MMR pathways, this paper reviews the EndoMS/NucS-mediated non-canonical MMR pathway in Mycobacterium and its recent progress. We hope to bring new insights into the molecular mechanism of mycobacterial mismatch repair as well as to provide new research clues for mycobacterial antibiotic therapy.
Topics: DNA Mismatch Repair; Mycobacterium; Bacterial Proteins; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Humans
PubMed: 38764267
DOI: 10.16288/j.yczz.23-236 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jul 2023In food, bacteria carrying antibiotic resistance genes could play a prominent role in the spread of resistance. populations can become large in a number of fermented...
In food, bacteria carrying antibiotic resistance genes could play a prominent role in the spread of resistance. populations can become large in a number of fermented foods, yet the antibiotic resistance properties of this species have been little studied. In this work, the resistance/susceptibility (R/S) profile of strains ( = 30) from cheese to 16 antibiotics was determined by broth microdilution. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for all antibiotics was low in most strains, although higher MICs compatible with acquired genes were also noted. Genome analysis of 13 strains showed the resistome to be composed of intrinsic mechanisms, acquired mutations, and acquired genes. As such, a plasmidic gene providing resistance to chloramphenicol was found in one strain; this was able to provide resistance to after electroporation. An (A) polymorphic gene was identified in five strains. The Mrs(A) variants were associated with variable resistance to erythromycin. However, the genetic data did not always correlate with the phenotype. As such, all strains harbored a polymorphic / gene, although only one acquired copy was associated with strong resistance to fosfomycin. Similarly, a plasmid-associated operon encoding a penicillinase system was identified in five ampicillin- and penicillin G-susceptible strains. Identified genes not associated with phenotypic resistance further included (C) in two strains and in all strains. The antibiotic R/S status and gene content of strains intended to be employed in food systems should be carefully determined.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cheese; Food Microbiology; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Microbial Sensitivity Tests
PubMed: 37511416
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411657 -
Journal of Environmental Management Dec 2023The prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in diverse habitats threatens public health. Watersheds represent critical freshwater ecosystems that interact with...
The prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in diverse habitats threatens public health. Watersheds represent critical freshwater ecosystems that interact with both the soil and atmosphere. However, a holistic understanding of ARGs distribution across these environmental media is currently inadequate. We profiled ARGs and bacterial communities in air-water-soil in the same watershed area during four seasons using high-throughput qPCR and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Our findings demonstrated that aminoglycoside resistance genes (58.5%) were dominant in water, and multidrug resistance genes (55.2% and 54.2%) were dominant in soil and air. Five ARGs and nineteen bacterial genera were consistently detected in all samples, were named as shared genes or bacteria. Co-occurrence Network analysis revealed the co-occurrence module of resistance genes, mobile genetic elements (MGEs), and potential bacterial hosts, indicating that shared genes and bacteria may persist and co-spread across different environmental media. The risk assessment framework, based on ARGs' abundance, detection rate, and mobility, identified 33 high-risk ARGs. This is essential to evaluate the health risks of ARGs and to develop strategies to limit the threat of antibiotic resistance. Our study offers new insights into the risks associated with ARGs in the environment and suggests that ARGs may depend on specific bacterial cohabitants that co-exist with MGEs to facilitate their spread across environmental interfaces.
Topics: Drinking Water; Genes, Bacterial; Soil; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Ecosystem; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Bacteria
PubMed: 37742410
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119092 -
Journal of Environmental Management Oct 2023The aims of this study were to use metagenomics to reveal the fates of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) during composting under the regulation of peroxydisulfate and...
The aims of this study were to use metagenomics to reveal the fates of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) during composting under the regulation of peroxydisulfate and clarify the relationship between ARGs and cell membrane permeability. Results showed that peroxydisulfate increased cell membrane permeability by effectively regulating the expression of outer membrane protein and lipopolysaccharide related genes. Besides, it reduced polysaccharides and proteins in extracellular polymer substances by 36% and 58%, respectively, making it easier for intracellular ARGs (i-ARGs) to reach the extracellular environment, among which the absolute intracellular abundance of mphK, Erm(31), and tet(44) decreased to 1.2, 1.0, and 0.89 fold of the control, respectively. Finally, variation partitioning analysis showed that i-ARGs dominated the removal of ARGs. These results revealed that the removal of i-ARGs by activated peroxydisulfate was the key to the removal of ARGs and increased cell membrane permeability played a key role for peroxydisulfate to remove i-ARGs during composting.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Composting; Genes, Bacterial; Cell Membrane Permeability; Manure; Drug Resistance, Microbial
PubMed: 37478721
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118659 -
Journal of Environmental Management Aug 2023To protect the environment and human health, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and persistent pharmaceuticals need to be removed from WWTP effluent prior to its reuse....
To protect the environment and human health, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and persistent pharmaceuticals need to be removed from WWTP effluent prior to its reuse. However, an efficient process for removing free-floating extracellular DNA (exDNA) in combination with a wide range of pharmaceuticals is yet to be reported for real process conditions. As a possible solution, we treated real ultrafiltered WWTP effluent with UV/HO and combined GAC and zeolite sorption. In terms of exDNA, sequencing and high-throughput quantitative PCR (HT-qPCR) showed that exDNA is a potent carrier of numerous ARGs in ultrafiltered WWTP effluent (123 ARGs), including multi-drug efflux pump mexF that became the dominant exARG in GAC effluent over time. Due to the exposure to degradation agents, exDNA was reduced more efficiently than intracellular DNA, and overall levels of ARGs were substantially lowered. Moreover, GAC sorption was particularly effective in the removal of almost all the 85 detected pharmaceutical residues, with fresh GAC demonstrating an efficiency of up to 100%. However, zeolite (Si/Al 0.8) addition was needed to enhance the removal of persistent pollutants such as gabapentin and diclofenac to 57% and up to 100%, respectively. Our combined approach eminently decreases the hazardous effects of pharmaceuticals and antibiotic resistance in the ultrafiltered WWTP effluent, producing effluent suitable for multiple reuse options according to the latest legislation. In addition, we provided similarly promising but less extensive data for surface water and treated greywater.
Topics: Humans; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Hydrogen Peroxide; Wastewater; Zeolites; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Genes, Bacterial; Pharmaceutical Preparations
PubMed: 37116413
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117861 -
Journal of Hazardous Materials Jul 2023The reduction of enhanced antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in compost is important to mitigate the risk of ARG transmission in agricultural production. Hydrochar is...
The reduction of enhanced antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in compost is important to mitigate the risk of ARG transmission in agricultural production. Hydrochar is used in many applications as a functional carbon material with adsorption and catalytic properties. This study investigated the effects of hydrochar addition on bacterial communities, mobile genetic elements (MGEs), and ARGs in chicken manure composting. The addition of 2%, 5%, and 10% hydrochar (dry weight) reduced the total numbers of target ARGs and MGEs in the compost products by 40.13-55.33% and 23.63-37.23%, respectively. Hydrochar changed the succession of the bacterial population during composting, lowering the abundance of potential pathogens and promoting microbial activity in amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism. A significant possible microbial host for ARGs was found to be Firmicutes. Hydrochar was found to affect the host microorganisms and MGEs directly by altering environmental factors that indirectly impacted the ARG profiles, as shown by partial least squares pathway modeling analysis. In conclusion, the addition of hydrochar to compost is a simple and effective method to promote the removal of ARGs.
Topics: Animals; Genes, Bacterial; Composting; Manure; Chickens; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Bacteria
PubMed: 37094443
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131459