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Bioresource Technology Jan 2021Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are present as both intracellular and extracellular fractions of DNA in the environment. Due to the poor yield of extracellular DNA in... (Review)
Review
Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are present as both intracellular and extracellular fractions of DNA in the environment. Due to the poor yield of extracellular DNA in conventional extraction methods, previous studies have mainly focused on intracellular ARGs (iARGs). In this review, we evaluate the prevalence/persistence and horizontal transfer of iARGs and extracellular ARGs (eARGs) in different environments, and then explore advanced mitigation strategies in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) for preventing the spread of antibiotic resistance in the environment. Although iARGs are the main fraction of ARGs in nutrient-rich environments, eARGs are predominant in receiving aquatic environments. In such environments, natural transformation of eARGs occurs with a comparable frequency to conjugation of iARGs. Further, eARGs can be adsorbed by soil and sediments particles, protected from DNase degradation, and consequently persist longer than iARGs. Collectively, these characteristics emphasize the crucial role of eARGs in the spread of antibiotic resistance in the environment. Fate of iARGs and eARGs through advanced treatment technologies (disinfection and membrane filtration) indicates that different mitigation strategies may be required for each ARG fraction to be significantly removed. Finally, comprehensive risk assessment is needed to evaluate/compare the effect of iARGs versus eARGs in the environment.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Genes, Bacterial; Prevalence; Wastewater
PubMed: 33254446
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.124181 -
Sheng Wu Gong Cheng Xue Bao = Chinese... Jul 2022Recently, drug resistance resulted from the extensive abuse and over-use of antibiotics has posed a great threat to human health. Scholars have conducted numerous... (Review)
Review
Recently, drug resistance resulted from the extensive abuse and over-use of antibiotics has posed a great threat to human health. Scholars have conducted numerous studies on the impacts of antibiotic resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in different types of environments. Aerosol is not only a potential reservoir for ARGs, but also an important route for transmission of ARGs in the environment. However, a systematic summary of its sources, transmission, human exposure, and health risks is lacking. This review focused on four types of typical sites for aerosol research: human functional living places, farms, urban wastewater treatment plants, and hospitals. The sources, transmission routes, human exposure, and health risks of ARGs in the aerosol of these four typical sites were reviewed. This article also provides a reference for prevention and control of ARGs in aerosols.
Topics: Aerosols; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Genes, Bacterial; Humans; Wastewater
PubMed: 35871614
DOI: 10.13345/j.cjb.210829 -
MSphere Sep 2020Insertion sequences (ISs) are abundant mobile genetic elements on bacterial genomes, responsible for mobilization of many genes, including antibiotic resistance genes...
Insertion sequences (ISs) are abundant mobile genetic elements on bacterial genomes, responsible for mobilization of many genes, including antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). As ARGs often occur in similar genetic contexts, understanding which ISs tend to be associated with known ARGs could be a first step toward discovering novel ARGs through predictive or experimental strategies. This could be valuable, as early identification of ARGs in pathogens could facilitate surveillance, confinement actions, molecular diagnostics, and drug development. Here, we present a comprehensive analysis of the association of specific ISs with known ARGs. A large collection of bacterial genomes was used to characterize the immediate context of 2,437 known ARGs and 3,768 ISs. While many ARGs were consistently found close to specific ISs, the contexts around all ISs were more variable. Nevertheless, a subset of individual ISs, as well as tentative composite transposons, showed significant associations with ARGs. These included, e.g., insertion sequences classified as IS, Tn, IS, and IS that were not only strongly associated with diverse ARGs but also highly abundant in pathogens. Therefore, we conclude that the context of this subset of ISs and tentative composite transposons would be particularly valuable to discover novel ARGs through modeling or empirical approaches. A set of 1,891 metagenomes were analyzed to identify environments where those ISs commonly associated with ARGs were particularly abundant. The associations found in metagenomes were similar to those found in genomes. The emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) among pathogens threaten the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections as well as our food production chains. Early knowledge about mobile ARGs that are present in pathogens or that have the potential to become clinically relevant could help mitigate potential negative consequences. Recently, exploring integron gene cassettes was shown to be successful for identifying novel mobilized ARGs, some of which were already circulating in pathogens. Still, only a subset of ARGs is mobilized by integrons, and the contexts of other mobile genetic elements associated with ARGs remain unexplored. This includes insertion sequences (ISs) responsible for the mobilization of many ARGs. Our analyses identified ISs, species, and environments where ARG-IS relationships are particularly strong. This could be a first step to guide the discovery of novel ARGs, while also providing insights into mechanisms involved in the mobilization and transfer of ARGs.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteria; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Genome, Bacterial; Metagenome; Mutagenesis, Insertional
PubMed: 32878926
DOI: 10.1128/mSphere.00418-20 -
EcoHealth Mar 2020Upsurge of antibiotic resistance in wildlife poses unprecedented threat to wildlife conservation. Surveillance of antibiotic resistance at the human-wildlife interface...
Upsurge of antibiotic resistance in wildlife poses unprecedented threat to wildlife conservation. Surveillance of antibiotic resistance at the human-wildlife interface is therefore needed. We evaluated differences in antibiotic resistance of Escherichia coli isolates from human and the endangered black rhinoceros in Lambwe Valley, Kenya. We used standard microbiological techniques to carry out susceptibility assays using eight antibiotics of clinical and veterinary importance. Standard PCR method was used to characterize antibiotic resistance genes. There was no difference in resistance between E. coli isolates from human and those from rhinoceros (U = 25, p = 0.462). However, higher resistance in isolates from humans was noted for cotrimoxazole (p = 0.000, OR = 0.101), ceftriaxone (p = 0.005, OR = 0.113) and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (p = 0.017, OR = 0.258), whereas isolates from rhinoceros showed higher gentamicin resistance (p = 0.001, OR = 10.154). Multi-drug resistance phenotype was 69.0% in humans and 43.3% in rhinoceros. Isolates from both species contained bla, tetA, tetB, dfrA1 and sul1 genes. Resistance profiles in the two species suggest potential for cross-transfer of resistance genes or exposure to comparable selective pressure and call for a multi-sectorial action plan on surveillance of antibiotic resistance at the human-wildlife interface. Genome-wide studies are needed to explicate the direction of transfer of genes that confer antibiotic resistance at the human-wildlife interface.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Escherichia coli; Humans; Kenya; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Perissodactyla
PubMed: 31811599
DOI: 10.1007/s10393-019-01461-z -
Microbial Genomics May 2024The interaction between a host and its microbiome is an area of intense study. For the human host, it is known that the various body-site-associated microbiomes impact... (Review)
Review
The interaction between a host and its microbiome is an area of intense study. For the human host, it is known that the various body-site-associated microbiomes impact heavily on health and disease states. For instance, the oral microbiome is a source of various pathogens and potential antibiotic resistance gene pools. The effect of historical changes to the human host and environment to the associated microbiome, however, has been less well explored. In this review, we characterize several historical and prehistoric events which are considered to have impacted the oral environment and therefore the bacterial communities residing within it. The link between evolutionary changes to the oral microbiota and the significant societal and behavioural changes occurring during the pre-Neolithic, Agricultural Revolution, Industrial Revolution and Antibiotic Era is outlined. While previous studies suggest the functional profile of these communities may have shifted over the centuries, there is currently a gap in knowledge that needs to be filled. Biomolecular archaeological evidence of innate antimicrobial resistance within the oral microbiome shows an increase in the abundance of antimicrobial resistance genes since the advent and widespread use of antibiotics in the modern era. Nevertheless, a lack of research into the prevalence and evolution of antimicrobial resistance within the oral microbiome throughout history hinders our ability to combat antimicrobial resistance in the modern era.
Topics: Humans; Microbiota; Mouth; Anti-Bacterial Agents; History, Ancient; Diet; Bacteria; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; History, Medieval; History, 17th Century; History, 18th Century; History, 16th Century
PubMed: 38739117
DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.001251 -
The Science of the Total Environment Apr 2023As an emerging environmental contaminant, the widespread of antibiotic resistance has caused a series of environmental issues and human health concerns. A load of... (Review)
Review
As an emerging environmental contaminant, the widespread of antibiotic resistance has caused a series of environmental issues and human health concerns. A load of antibiotic residues induced by agricultural practices have exerted selective pressure to bacterial communities in the soil-plant system, which facilitated the occurrence and dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) through horizontal gene transfer. As a result, the enrichment of ARGs within crops at harvest under the influence of food ingestion could lead to critical concerns of public health. In this review, the prevalence and dissemination of antibiotic resistance in the soil-plant system are highlighted. Moreover, different underlying mechanisms and detection methods for ARGs transfer between the soil environment and plant compartments are summarized and discussed. On the other hand, a wide range of influencing factors for the transfer and distribution of antibiotic resistance within the soil-plant system are also presented and discussed. In response to exposure of antibiotic residues and resistomes, corresponding hazard identification assessments have been summarized, which could provide beneficial guides of the toxicological tolerance for the general population. Finally, further research priorities for detection and management ARGs spread are also suggested.
Topics: Humans; Soil; Genes, Bacterial; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteria; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Soil Microbiology
PubMed: 36708845
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161855 -
Journal of Infection and Public Health Dec 2023The emergence and re-emergence of tick-borne bacteria (TBB) as a public health problem raises the uncertainty of antibiotic resistance in these pathogens, which could be... (Review)
Review
The emergence and re-emergence of tick-borne bacteria (TBB) as a public health problem raises the uncertainty of antibiotic resistance in these pathogens, which could be dispersed to other pathogens. The impact of global warming has led to the emergence of pathogenic TBB in areas where they were not previously present and is another risk that must be taken into account under the One Health guides. This review aimed to analyze the existing information regarding antibiotic-resistant TBB and antibiotic-resistance genes (ARG) present in the tick microbiome, considering the potential to be transmitted to pathogenic microorganisms. Several Ehrlichia species have been reported to exhibit natural resistance to fluoroquinolones and typhus group Rickettsiae are naturally susceptible to erythromycin. TBB have a lower risk of acquiring ARG due to their natural habitat, but there is still a probability of acquiring them; furthermore, studies of these pathogens are limited. Pathogenic and commensal bacteria coexist within the tick microbiome along with ARGs for antibiotic deactivation, cellular protection, and efflux pumps; these ARGs confer resistance to antibiotics such as aminoglycosides, beta-lactamase, diaminopyrimidines, fluoroquinolones, glycopeptides, sulfonamides, and tetracyclines. Although with low probability, TBB can be a reservoir of ARGs.
Topics: Humans; One Health; Bacteria; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Genes, Bacterial; Fluoroquinolones
PubMed: 37945496
DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2023.10.027 -
The Science of the Total Environment May 2021Microplastics (MPs) and pharmaceuticals are common emerging pollutants in sewage, and their coexistence may have more negative effects on the environments. This study...
Microplastics (MPs) and pharmaceuticals are common emerging pollutants in sewage, and their coexistence may have more negative effects on the environments. This study chose tetracycline (TC), ampicillin (AMP) and triclosan (TCS) to investigate the responses of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and microbial communities on different MPs (polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE)) biofilms (plastisphere). The adsorption capacity of three pharmaceuticals on PVC and PE decreased in the order of AMP > TC > TCS. PE was more conducive to microbial attachment than PVC. MPs led to the increase of the total copies of ARGs and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) in the sewage. Importantly, multidrug ARGs and MGEs were enriched on plastisphere. Furthermore, the co-occurrence of TC and MPs led to higher risks of spreading ARGs and MGEs. In addition, potential pathogenic bacteria Legionella, Mycobacterium, Neisseria and Arcobacter were more abundant on plastisphere than those in sewage, and these bacteria might be the hosts for ARGs and MGEs. This study showed that plastisphere could be repositories of ARGs and MGEs in sewage and accumulated potential pathogenic bacteria.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteria; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Genes, Bacterial; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Plastics; Sewage
PubMed: 33454495
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144663 -
Environmental Science and Pollution... Jun 2024Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) have emerged as a significant global health threat, contributing to fatalities worldwide. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and... (Review)
Review
Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) have emerged as a significant global health threat, contributing to fatalities worldwide. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and livestock farms serve as primary reservoirs for these genes due to the limited efficacy of existing treatment methods and microbial adaptation to environmental stressors. Anaerobic digestion (AD) stands as a prevalent biological treatment for managing sewage sludge and manure in these settings. Given the agricultural utility of AD digestate as biofertilizers, understanding ARGs' fate within AD processes is essential to devise effective mitigation strategies. However, understanding the impact of various factors on ARGs occurrence, dissemination, and fate remains limited. This review article explores various AD treatment parameters and correlates to various resistance mechanisms and hotspots of ARGs in the environment. It further evaluates the dissemination and occurrence of ARGs in AD feedstocks and provides a comprehensive understanding of the fate of ARGs in AD systems. This review explores the influence of key AD parameters such as feedstock properties, pretreatments, additives, and operational strategies on ARGs. Results show that properties such as high solid content and optimum co-digestion ratios can enhance ARG removal, while the presence of heavy metals, microplastics, and antibiotics could elevate ARG abundance. Also, operational enhancements, such as employing two-stage digestion, have shown promise in improving ARG removal. However, certain pretreatment methods, like thermal hydrolysis, may exhibit a rebounding effect on ARG levels. Overall, this review systematically addresses current challenges and offers future perspectives associated with the fate of ARGs in AD systems.
Topics: Drug Resistance, Microbial; Anaerobiosis; Sewage; Wastewater; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Waste Disposal, Fluid
PubMed: 38853230
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33844-3 -
ELife Apr 2021Bacteria carry antibiotic resistant genes on movable sections of DNA that allow them to select the relevant genes on demand.
Bacteria carry antibiotic resistant genes on movable sections of DNA that allow them to select the relevant genes on demand.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteria; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Integrons
PubMed: 33820602
DOI: 10.7554/eLife.68070