Heavy metal could drive co-selection of antibiotic resistance in terrestrial subsurface soils

Abstract Background: Terrestrial surface ecosystems are important sinks for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) due to the continuous discharge of contaminants from human-impacted ecosystems. However, factors determining the abundance and resistance types of ARGs in terrestrial subsurface soils remain largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the abundance and diversity of ARGs, and their correlations with metal resistance genes (MRGs), mobile genetic elements (MGEs), bacteria, and heavy metals in subsurface soils in a global scale using high throughput quantitative PCR and metagenomic sequencing approaches. Results: Abundant and diverse ARGs were detected with high spatial heterogeneity among the sampling sites. Vertically, there was no significant difference in the ARG profiles between the aquifer and non-aquifer soils. Heavy metals were the key factors shaping ARG patterns in soils with high heavy metal contents, while they induced no significant effect in low contents. Moreover, heavy metals could trigger the proliferation of antibiotic resistance by increasing MGE abundance or influencing bacterial communities. Metagenomic analysis also revealed the widespread co-occurrence of ARGs and MRGs, with heavy metals possibly aggravating the co-selection of ARGs and MRGs in soils with high heavy metal contents. Conclusions: This study highlighted the heavy metal-induced co-selection for ARGs and MRGs and revealed the occurrence of ARG pollution in terrestrial subsurface soils.

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Heavy metal-induced co-selection of antibiotic resistance genes in the gut microbiota of collembolans

The Science of The Total Environment ◽

10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.05.302 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 683 ◽

pp. 210-215 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Jing Ding ◽

Xin Li An ◽

Simon Bo Lassen ◽

Hong Tao Wang ◽

Dong Zhu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metal ◽

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Resistance Genes ◽

Antibiotic Resistance Genes ◽

Selection Of

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Sources and mechanisms of combined heavy-metal and antibiotic resistance traits in bacteria

Studia Universitatis Babeş-Bolyai Biologia ◽

10.24193/subbb.2017.1.07 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 62 (1) ◽

pp. 101-114 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Claudia Tugui ◽

◽

Edina Szekeres ◽

Andreea Baricz ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metal ◽

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Resistance Traits

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Potential impact of biocide adaptation on selection of antibiotic resistance in bacterial isolates

Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences ◽

10.1186/s43094-020-00119-w ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Engy Elekhnawy ◽

Fatma Sonbol ◽

Ahmed Abdelaziz ◽

Tarek Elbanna

Keyword(s):

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Cross Resistance ◽

Main Body ◽

Bacterial Isolates ◽

New Agents ◽

Biocidal Products ◽

Potential Impact ◽

Emergence Of Resistance ◽

Vital Factor ◽

Selection Of

Abstract Background Antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacterial isolates has increased worldwide leading to treatment failures. Main body Many concerns are being raised about the usage of biocidal products (including disinfectants, antiseptics, and preservatives) as a vital factor that contributes to the risk of development of antimicrobial resistance which has many environmental and economic impacts. Conclusion Consequently, it is important to recognize the different types of currently used biocides, their mechanisms of action, and their potential impact to develop cross-resistance and co-resistance to various antibiotics. The use of biocides in medical or industrial purposes should be monitored and regulated. In addition, new agents with biocidal activity should be investigated from new sources like phytochemicals in order to decrease the emergence of resistance among bacterial isolates.

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Heavy metal pollution promotes antibiotic resistance potential in the aquatic environment

Environmental Pollution ◽

10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116569 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 274 ◽

pp. 116569

Author(s):

Majid Komijani ◽

Narges Sadat Shamabadi ◽

Khashayar Shahin ◽

Farnaz Eghbalpour ◽

Mohammad Reza Tahsili ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metal ◽

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Metal Pollution ◽

Heavy Metal Pollution ◽

Aquatic Environment

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Single evaluation and selection of functional groups containing N or O atoms to heavy metal adsorption: Law of electric neutrality.

Chemosphere ◽

10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132207 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 287 ◽

pp. 132207

Author(s):

Ming Zhang ◽

Siyu Hou ◽

Yang Li ◽

Yuqiu Hou ◽

Ping Yang

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metal ◽

Functional Groups ◽

Metal Adsorption ◽

Heavy Metal Adsorption ◽

Electric Neutrality ◽

Selection Of

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Association of Antibiotic and Heavy Metal Resistant Bacteria Screened from Wastewater

International Journal of Environment ◽

10.3126/ije.v7i1.21292 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 28-40

Author(s):

Bikram Gautam ◽

Rameshwar Adhikari

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Heavy Metal ◽

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Treatment Plant ◽

Resistance Pattern ◽

Resistant Bacteria ◽

Grab Sampling ◽

Antibiotic Resistance Pattern ◽

Antibiotic Susceptibility Test ◽

Heavy Metal Resistant

Wastewater treatment plant is a potential reservoir contributing to the evolution and spread of heavy metal and antibiotic resistant bacteria. The pollutants such as biocides, antibiotics, heavy metals are to be feared for as they have been known to evoke resistance in microorganisms in such polluted environment. The aim of this study was to the isolate bacteria from the treated wastewater and assess the resistance pattern of the isolates against antibiotics and heavy metals. Grab sampling was performed from April to June 2017, from the treated effluent from the secondary treatment plant. To assess the resistance pattern for antibiotic(s) and heavy metal(s), antibiotic susceptibility test and minimum inhibitory concentration by cup well method were performed respectively. Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Citrobacter freundii, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Proteus mirabilis, P. vulgaris, Salmonella Typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa were isolated. Multi drug and heavy metal resistant isolates were screened. Fisher’s exact test revealed that there is a significant association (p< 0.001) between antibiotic resistance pattern and resistance patterns at dilution of 2500 g/L (25%). Cramer’s V test revealed that the effect size of antibiotic resistance pattern and heavy metal resistance pattern at dilution 2500 g/L is medium. P. aeruginosa was able to resist the metal concentration up to 10000 g/L (100%) dilution of Fe++. Heavy metal resistant bacteria can be safely used to lower chemical concentration in the environment once their harmful genes are edited, knocked etc. so that risks of evoking antibiotic resistance could be minimized.

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