Microplastics pollution in the ocean: Potential carrier of resistant bacteria and resistance genes

2021 ◽  
pp. 118130
Author(s):  
K.S. Stenger ◽  
O.G. Wikmark ◽  
C.C. Bezuidenhout ◽  
L.G. Molale-Tom
2017 ◽  
Vol 83 (15) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Aminul Islam ◽  
Moydul Islam ◽  
Rashedul Hasan ◽  
M. Iqbal Hossain ◽  
Ashikun Nabi ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Resistance to carbapenem antibiotics through the production of New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-1 (NDM-1) constitutes an emerging challenge in the treatment of bacterial infections. To monitor the possible source of the spread of these organisms in Dhaka, Bangladesh, we conducted a comparative analysis of wastewater samples from hospital-adjacent areas (HAR) and from community areas (COM), as well as public tap water samples, for the occurrence and characteristics of NDM-1-producing bacteria. Of 72 HAR samples tested, 51 (71%) samples were positive for NDM-1-producing bacteria, as evidenced by phenotypic tests and the presence of the bla NDM-1 gene, compared to 5 of 41 (12.1%) samples from COM samples (P < 0.001). All tap water samples were negative for NDM-1-producing bacteria. Klebsiella pneumoniae (44%) was the predominant bacterial species among bla NDM-1-positive isolates, followed by Escherichia coli (29%), Acinetobacter spp. (15%), and Enterobacter spp. (9%). These bacteria were also positive for one or more other antibiotic resistance genes, including bla CTX-M-1 (80%), bla CTX-M-15 (63%), bla TEM (76%), bla SHV (33%), bla CMY-2 (16%), bla OXA-48-like (2%), bla OXA-1 (53%), and bla OXA-47-like (60%) genes. Around 40% of the isolates contained a qnr gene, while 50% had 16S rRNA methylase genes. The majority of isolates hosted multiple plasmids, and plasmids of 30 to 50 MDa carrying bla NDM-1 were self-transmissible. Our results highlight a number of issues related to the characteristics and source of spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria as a potential public health threat. In view of the existing practice of discharging untreated liquid waste into the environment, hospitals in Dhaka city contribute to the potential dissemination of NDM-1-producing bacteria into the community. IMPORTANCE Infections caused by carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae are extremely difficult to manage due to their marked resistance to a wide range of antibiotics. NDM-1 is the most recently described carbapenemase, and the bla NDM-1 gene, which encodes NDM-1, is located on self-transmissible plasmids that also carry a considerable number of other antibiotic resistance genes. The present study shows a high prevalence of NDM-1-producing organisms in the wastewater samples from hospital-adjacent areas as a potential source for the spread of these organisms to community areas in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The study also examines the characteristics of the isolates and their potential to horizontally transmit the resistance determinants. The significance of our research is in identifying the mode of spread of multiple-antibiotic-resistant organisms, which will allow the development of containment measures, leading to broader impacts in reducing their spread to the community.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farhan Yusuf ◽  
Kimberley Gilbride

Bacterial isolates found in aquatic ecosystems often carry antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). These ARGs are often found on plasmids and transposons, which allows them to be proliferate throughout bacterial communities via horizontal gene transfer (HGT) causing dissemination of multidrug resistance. The increase in antibiotic resistance has raised concerns about the ability to continue to use these drugs to fight infectious diseases. Novel synthetic antibiotics like ciprofloxacin that are not naturally found in the environment were developed to prevent resistances. However, ciprofloxacin resistance has occurred through chromosomal gene mutations of type 2 topoisomerases or by the acquisition of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistances (PMQR). A particular PMQR, qnr genes, encoding for pentapeptide repeat proteins that confer low levels of quinolone resistance and protect DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV from antibacterial activity. These qnr genes have been identified globally in both clinical and environmental isolates. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of ciprofloxacin-resistant bacteria in aquatic environments in the Greater Toronto Area and the potential dissemination of ciprofloxacin resistance. With the selective pressure of ciprofloxacin, we hypothesize that ciprofloxacin-resistant bacteria (CipR) in the environment may carry PMQR mechanisms while the sensitive population (CipS) would not carry PMQR genes. Isolates were tested for resistance to an additional 12 different antibiotics and identified using Sanger sequencing PCR products of the 16S rRNA gene. To determine which genes are responsible for ciprofloxacin resistance, multiplex PCR of associated qnr genes, qnrA, qnrB, and qnrS, was carried out on 202 environmental isolates. Our data demonstrate a similar prevalence of qnr genes was found in CipR (19%) and CipS (14%) populations suggesting that the presence of these genes was not necessarily correlated with the phenotypic resistance to the antibiotic. Furthermore, ciprofloxacinresistant bacteria were found in all locations at similar frequencies suggesting that resistance genes are widespread and could possibly arise through HGT events. Overall, determining the underlying cause and prevalence of ciprofloxacin resistance could help re-establish the effectiveness of these antimicrobial compounds.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Somorita Baishya ◽  
Chandrayee Deshamukhya ◽  
Jayalaxmi Wangkheimayum ◽  
Bhaskar Jyoti Das ◽  
Anand Anbarasu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The issue of carbapenem resistance in E.coli is very concerning and it is speculated that cumulative effect of both primary resistance genes and secondary resistance genes that act as helper to the primary resistance genes are the reason behind their aggravation. Therefore, here we attempted to find the role of two secondary resistance genes (SRG) ccdB and repA2 in carbapenem resistance in E. coli (CRE).Methods: Influential genes belonging to secondary resistome that act as helper to the primary resistance genes like blaNDM and blaCTX-M in aggravating β-lactam resistance were selected from an earlier reported in silico study. Transcriptional expression of the selected genes in clinical isolates of E.coli that were discretely harboring blaNDM-1, blaNDM-4, blaNDM-5, blaNDM-7 and blaCTX-M-15 with and without carbapenem and cephalosporin stress (2µg/ml) was determined by real time PCR. Cured mutants sets that were lacking (i) primary resistance genes, (ii) secondary resistance genes and (iii) both primary and secondary resistance genes were prepared by SDS treatment. These sets were then subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method.Results: Out of the 21 genes reported in the in silico study, 2 genes viz. repA2 and ccdB were selected for transcriptional expression analysis. repA2, coding replication regulatory protein, was downregulated in response to carbapenems and cephalosporins. ccdB, coding for plasmid maintenance protein, was also downregulated in response to carbapenems except imipenem and cephalosporins. Following plasmid elimination assay increase in diameter of zone of inhibition under stress of both antibiotics was observed as compared to uncured control hinting at the reversion of antibiotic susceptibility by the-then resistant bacteria. Conclusion: SRGs repA2 and ccdB help sustenance of blaNDM and blaCTX-M under carbapenem and cephalosporin stress.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tianlei Qiu ◽  
Linhe Huo ◽  
Yajie Guo ◽  
Min Gao ◽  
Guoliang Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) used in intensive animal husbandry threaten human health worldwide; however, the core resistome, mobility of ARGs, and the composition of ARG hosts in animal manure and the following composts remain unclear. In the present study, metagenomic assembly was used to comprehensively decipher the core resistome and its potential mobility and hosts in animal manure and compost. Results In total, 201 ARGs were shared among different animal (layer, broiler, swine, beef cow, and dairy cow) manures and accounted for 86–99% of total relative abundance of ARGs, which mainly comprised multidrug, macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin (M-L-S), tetracycline, beta-lactam, aminoglycoside, and sulfonamide resistance genes. Moreover, efficient composting reduced the total relative abundance of ARGs in manure from 0.938 to 0.405 copies per 16S rRNA gene; however, it did not have any remarkable effect on the multidrug, sulfonamide, and trimethoprim resistance genes. Procrustes analysis indicated that composting can reduce antibiotic residues and decrease the correlation between antibiotics and resistance genes. Furthermore, the ARG hosts included Proteobacteria (50.08%), Firmicutes (37.77%), Bacteroidetes (6.49%), and Actinobacteria (5.24%). In manure, aminoglycoside resistance genes were majorly found in Enterococcus, Streptococcus, and Enterobacter; tetracycline resistance genes (TRGs) were found in Pseudomonas, Lactobacillus, and Streptococcus; and multidrug resistance genes were mainly found in Escherichia coli. In our samples, ARGs were more prevalent in plasmids than in chromosomes. The broad host range and diverse mobile genetic elements may be two key factors for ARGs, such as sul1 and aadA, which could survive during composting. The multidrug resistance genes represented the dominant ARGs in pathogenic antibiotic-resistant bacteria (PARB) in manure, and composting could effectively control PARB. Conclusions Our experiments revealed the core resistome in animal manure, classified and relative quantified the ARG hosts, and assessed the mobility of ARGs. Composting can mitigate ARGs in animal manure by altering the bacterial hosts; however, some ARGs can escape from the removal with the survivor heat-tolerant hosts or transfer to these hosts. These findings will help optimize composting strategies for the effective treatment of ARGs and their hosts in farms.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilona Stefańska ◽  
Ewelina Kwiecień ◽  
Katarzyna Jóźwiak-Piasecka ◽  
Monika Garbowska ◽  
Marian Binek ◽  
...  

The spread of resistance to antibiotics is a major health concern worldwide due to the increasing rate of isolation of multidrug resistant pathogens hampering the treatment of infections. The food chain has been recognized as one of the key routes of antibiotic resistant bacteria transmission between animals and humans. Considering that lactic acid bacteria (LAB) could act as a reservoir of transferable antibiotic resistance genes, LAB strains intended to be used as feed additives should be monitored for their safety. Sixty-five LAB strains which might be potentially used as probiotic feed additives or silage inoculants, were assessed for susceptibility to eight clinically relevant antimicrobials by a minimum inhibitory concentration determination. Among antimicrobial resistant strains, a prevalence of selected genes associated with the acquired resistance was investigated. Nineteen LAB strains displayed phenotypic resistance to one antibiotic, and 15 strains were resistant to more than one of the tested antibiotics. The resistance to aminoglycosides and tetracyclines were the most prevalent and were found in 37 and 26% of the studied strains, respectively. Phenotypic resistance to other antimicrobials was found in single strains. Determinants related to resistance phenotypes were detected in 15 strains as follows, the aph(3″)-IIIa gene in 9 strains, the lnu(A) gene in three strains, the str(A)-str(B), erm(B), msr(C), and tet(M) genes in two strains and the tet(K) gene in one strain. The nucleotide sequences of the detected genes revealed homology to the sequences of the transmissible resistance genes found in lactic acid bacteria as well as pathogenic bacteria. Our study highlights that LAB may be a reservoir of antimicrobial resistance determinants, thus, the first and key step in considering the usefulness of LAB strains as feed additives should be an assessment of their antibiotic resistance. This safety criterion should always precede more complex studies, such as an assessment of adaptability of a strain or its beneficial effect on a host. These results would help in the selection of the best LAB strains for use as feed additives. Importantly, presented data can be useful for revising the current microbiological cut-off values within the genus Lactobacillus and Pediococcus.


2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-17
Author(s):  
Danuta Plotnikava ◽  
Anastasiya Sidarenka ◽  
Galina Novik

Abstract Extensive use of antibiotics in medicine, veterinary practice and animal husbandry has promoted the development and dissemination of bacterial drug resistance. The number of resistant pathogens causing common infectious diseases increases rapidly and creates worldwide public health problem. Commensal bacteria, including lactic acid bacteria of genera Enterococcus and Lactococcus colonizing gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts of humans and animals may act as vehicles of antibiotic resistance genes similar to those found in pathogens. Lactococci and enterococci are widely used in manufacturing of fermented products and as probiotics, therefore monitoring and control of transmissible antibiotic resistance determinants in industrial strains of these microorganisms is necessary to approve their Qualified Presumption of Safety status. Understanding the nature and molecular mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in enterococci and lactococci is essential, as intrinsic resistant bacteria pose no threat to environment and human health in contrast to bacteria with resistance acquired through horizontal transfer of resistance genes. The review summarizes current knowledge concerning intrinsic and acquired antibiotic resistance in Lactococcus and Enterococcus genera, and discusses role of enterococci and lactococci in distribution of this feature.


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