scholarly journals Multi-site sampling and risk prioritization reveals the public health relevance of antibiotic resistance genes found in wastewater environments

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chengzhen L. Dai ◽  
Claire Duvallet ◽  
An Ni Zhang ◽  
Mariana G. Matus ◽  
Newsha Ghaeli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Resistance Genes ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance Genes ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Metagenomic Sequencing ◽  
The Public ◽  
Risk Prioritization ◽  
Health Relevance

AbstractThe spread of bacterial antibiotic resistance across human and environmental habitats is a global public health challenge. Wastewater has been implicated as a major source of antibiotic resistance in the environment, as it carries resistant bacteria and resistance genes from humans into natural ecosystems. However, different wastewater environments and antibiotic resistance genes in wastewater do not all present the same level of risk to human health. In this study, we investigate the public health relevance of antibiotic resistance found in wastewater by combining metagenomic sequencing with risk prioritization of resistance genes, analyzing samples across urban sewage system environments in multiple countries. We find that many of the resistance genes commonly found in wastewater are not readily present in humans. Ranking antibiotic resistance genes based on their potential pathogenicity and mobility reveals that most of the resistance genes in wastewater are not clinically relevant. Additionally, we show that residential wastewater resistomes pose greater risk to human health than those in wastewater treatment plant samples, and that residential wastewater can be as risky as hospital effluent. Across countries, differences in antibiotic resistance in residential wastewater can, in some cases, reflect differences in antibiotic drug consumption. Finally, we find that the flow of antibiotic resistance genes is influenced by geographical distance and environmental selection. Taken together, we demonstrate how different analytical approaches can provide greater insights into the public health relevance of antibiotic resistance in wastewater.

scholarly journals Metagenomic characterization of creek sediment microbial communities from a major agricultural region in Salinas, California

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brittany J. Suttner ◽  
Eric R. Johnston ◽  
Luis H. Orellana ◽  
Luis M. Rodriguez-R ◽  
Janet K. Hatt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Resistance Genes ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance Genes ◽  
Agricultural Runoff ◽  
Public Health Risk ◽  
The Public ◽  
E Coli

ABSTRACTLittle is known about the public health risks associated with natural creek sediments that are affected by runoff and fecal pollution from agricultural and livestock practices. For instance, the persistence of foodborne pathogens originating from agricultural activities such as Shiga Toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) in such sediments remains poorly quantified. Towards closing these knowledge gaps, the water-sediment interface of two creeks in the Salinas River Valley was sampled over a nine-month period using metagenomics and traditional culture-based tests for STEC. Our results revealed that these sediment communities are extremely diverse and comparable to the functional and taxonomic diversity observed in soils. With our sequencing effort (~4 Gbp per library), we were unable to detect any pathogenic Escherichia coli in the metagenomes of 11 samples that had tested positive using culture-based methods, apparently due to relatively low pathogen abundance. Further, no significant differences were detected in the abundance of human- or cow-specific gut microbiome sequences compared to upstream, more pristine (control) sites, indicating natural dilution of anthropogenic inputs. Notably, a high baseline level of metagenomic reads encoding antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) was found in all samples and was significantly higher compared to ARG reads in metagenomes from other environments, suggesting that these communities may be natural reservoirs of ARGs. Overall, our metagenomic results revealed that creek sediments are not a major sink for anthropogenic runoff and the public health risk associated with these sediment microbial communities may be low.IMPORTANCECurrent agricultural and livestock practices contribute to fecal contamination in the environment and the spread of food and water-borne disease and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Traditionally, the level of pollution and risk to public health is assessed by culture-based tests for the intestinal bacterium, E. coli. However, the accuracy of these traditional methods (e.g., low quantification, and false positive signal when PCR-based) and their suitability for sediments remains unclear. We collected sediments for a time series metagenomics study from one of the most highly productive agricultural regions in the U.S. in order to assess how agricultural runoff affects the native microbial communities and if the presence of STEC in sediment samples can be detected directly by sequencing. Our study provided important information on the potential for using metagenomics as a tool for assessment of public health risk in natural environments.

scholarly journals High concentration and high dose of disinfectants and antibiotics used during the COVID-19 pandemic threaten human health

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhongli Chen ◽  
Jinsong Guo ◽  
Yanxue Jiang ◽  
Ying Shao
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Resistance Genes ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance Genes ◽  
Gene Transformation ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
High Dose ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Antibiotic Resistant

AbstractThe issue of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has created enormous threat to global health. In an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19, a huge amount of disinfectants and antibiotics have been utilized on public health. Accordingly, the concentration of disinfectants and antibiotics is increasing rapidly in various environments, including wastewater, surface waters, soils and sediments. The aims of this study were to analyze the potential ecological environment impacts of disinfectants and antibiotics by summarizing their utilization, environmental occurrence, distribution and toxicity. The paper highlights the promoting effects of disinfectants and antibiotics on antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and even antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB). The scientific evidences indicate that the high concentration and high dose of disinfectants and antibiotics promote the evolution toward antimicrobial resistance through horizontal gene transformation and vertical gene transformation, which threaten human health. Further concerns should be focused more on the enrichment, bioaccumulation and biomagnification of disinfectants, antibiotics, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and even antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) in human bodies.

scholarly journals Modeling and Simulation of Source Separation in Sanitation Systems for Reducing Emissions of Antimicrobial Resistances

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (23) ◽  
pp. 3342
Author(s):  
Jörg Londong ◽  
Marcus Barth ◽  
Heinrich Söbke
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Resistance Genes ◽  
Aquatic Environment ◽  
Source Separation ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance Genes ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Antibiotic Resistant ◽  
Sanitation Systems

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the top ten threats to public health worldwide. In addition to public health, AMR also poses a major threat to food security and economic development. Current sanitation systems contribute to the emergence and spread of AMR and lack effective AMR mitigation measures. This study assesses source separation of blackwater as a mitigation measure against AMR. A source-separation-modified combined sanitation system with separate collection of blackwater and graywater is conceptually described. Measures taken at the source, such as the separate collection and discharge of material flows, were not considered so far on a load balance basis, i.e., they have not yet been evaluated for their effectiveness. The sanitation system described is compared with a combined system and a separate system regarding AMR emissions by means of simulation. AMR is represented in the simulation model by one proxy parameter each for antibiotics (sulfamethoxazole), antibiotic-resistant bacteria (extended-spectrum beta-lactamase E. Coli), and antibiotic resistance genes (blaTEM). The simulation results suggest that the source-separation-based sanitation system reduces emissions of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes into the aquatic environment by more than six logarithm steps compared to combined systems. Sulfamethoxazole emissions can be reduced by 75.5% by keeping blackwater separate from graywater and treating it sufficiently. In summary, sanitation systems incorporating source separation are, to date, among the most effective means of preventing the emission of AMR into the aquatic environment.

scholarly journals Diversity and Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistance Genes, Virulence Factors, and the Microbiome in Aquaculture in Southern China Revealed by Metagenomic Sequencing

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haochang Su ◽  
Wujie Xu ◽  
Xiaojuan Hu ◽  
Yu Xu ◽  
Guoliang Wen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Virulence Factors ◽  
Resistance Genes ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Southern China ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance Genes ◽  
Water Source ◽  
Source Tracking ◽  
Metagenomic Sequencing

Abstract Background: Microbiota carrying multiple antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence factors (VFs) are posing increasing risks to public health. Particularly the rapid spread of human pathogenic bacteria (HPB) with antibiotic resistance is recognized as a top health issue. The occurrence and abundance of ARGs in aquaculture have been investigated following metagenomic approaches. However, few studies have investigated the antibiotic resistome and VFs and their HPB hosts in aquaculture. Moreover, the relationships between ARGs and VFs and their microbiome in aquaculture are poorly understood. Results: The profiles of the antibiotic resistome, VFs, and HPB in aquaculture in Southern China were investigated. In total, 492 subtypes of 24 ARGs types were detected. Multidrug ARGs were most predominant, followed by macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin (MLS). Proteobacteria were the most predominant phylum carrying ARGs, followed by Firmicutes. Fifty-two HPB genera were detected. Firmicutes was the most abundant phylum, followed by Proteobacteria. Staphylococcus was the most abundant HPB genus. The samples contained 363 VFs, with Capsule being the most abundant. Seven HPB phyla, including 42 HPB genera, carried VFs, and the abundance of Bacillus was highest. The abundances of ARGs and VFs were highest in the sediment. However, the abundance of HPB was highest in shrimp guts and Staphylococcus was most abundant. Most ARGs were more prevalent on chromosomes than on plasmids. Source tracking analysis showed that the sediment was the greatest contributor to microbes carrying ARGs, VFs, and HPB in shrimp guts. Additionally, the water source contributed some of the HPB of shrimp guts. Conclusions: This study provides in-depth profiles of the abundances, diversity, distribution, and prevalence of ARGs, VFs, and their hosts HPB in aquaculture for the first time. Sediment was the most direct and important contributor to the ARGs, VFs, and HPB in the shrimp guts. The prevalence of HPB in aquaculture, particularly the high abundance of Staphylococcus in shrimp guts, poses potential risks to human health and food safety. Aquaculture water sources should be monitored and protected. The findings of this study provide a better understanding of the dissemination and hosts of ARGs and VFs for improving aquaculture management and public health surveillance.

scholarly journals A glyphosate-based herbicide cross-selects for antibiotic resistance genes in bacterioplankton communities

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naíla Barbosa da Costa ◽  
Marie-Pier Hébert ◽  
Vincent Fugère ◽  
Yves Terrat ◽  
Gregor Fussmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Resistance Genes ◽  
Bacterial Communities ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance Genes ◽  
Efflux Pumps ◽  
Cross Resistance ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Metagenomic Sequencing ◽  
Resistance Mutations ◽  
Variation Explained

Agrochemicals often contaminate freshwater bodies, affecting microbial communities that underlie aquatic food webs. For example, Roundup, a widely-used glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH), has the potential to indirectly select for antibiotic resistant bacteria. Such cross-selection could occur, for example, if the same genes (e.g. encoding efflux pumps) confer resistance to both glyphosate and antibiotics. To test for cross-resistance in natural aquatic bacterial communities, we added Roundup to 1,000-L mesocosms filled with water from a pristine lake. Over 57 days, we tracked changes in bacterial communities with shotgun metagenomic sequencing, and annotated metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) for the presence of known antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), plasmids, and resistance mutations in the enzyme targeted by glyphosate (enolpyruvyl-shikimate-3-phosphate synthase; EPSPS). We found that high doses of GBH significantly increased ARG frequency and selected for multidrug efflux pumps in particular. The relative abundance of MAGs after a high dose of GBH was predictable based on the number of ARGs encoded in their genomes (17% of variation explained) and, to a lesser extent, by resistance mutations in EPSPS (2% of variation explained). Together, these results indicate that GBHs have the potential to cross-select for antibiotic resistance in natural freshwater bacteria.

scholarly journals Potential Environmental and Human Health Risks Caused by Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (ARB), Antibiotic Resistance Genes (ARGs) and Emerging Contaminants (ECs) from Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Landfill

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 374
Author(s):  
Uttpal Anand ◽  
Bhaskar Reddy ◽  
Vipin Kumar Singh ◽  
Amit Kishore Singh ◽  
Kavindra Kumar Kesari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Resistance Genes ◽  
Emerging Contaminants ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance Genes ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Antibiotic Resistant ◽  
Human Health Risks ◽  
Msw Landfill

The disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) directly at landfills or open dump areas, without segregation and treatment, is a significant concern due to its hazardous contents of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB), antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and metal resistance genes (MGEs). The released leachate from landfills greatly effects the soil physicochemical, biological, and groundwater properties associated with agricultural activity and human health. The abundance of ARB, ARGs, and MGEs have been reported worldwide, including MSW landfill sites, animal husbandry, wastewater, groundwater, soil, and aerosol. This review elucidates the occurrence and abundance of ARB, ARGs, and MRGs, which are regarded as emerging contaminants (ECs). Recently, ECs have received global attention because of their prevalence in leachate as a substantial threat to environmental and public health, including an economic burden for developing nations. The present review exclusively discusses the demands to develop a novel eco-friendly management strategy to combat these global issues. This review also gives an intrinsic discussion about the insights of different aspects of environmental and public health concerns caused due to massive leachate generation, the abundance of antibiotics resistance (AR), and the effects of released leachate on the various environmental reservoirs and human health. Furthermore, the current review throws light on the source and fate of different ECs of landfill leachate and their possible impact on the nearby environments (groundwater, surface water, and soil) affecting human health. The present review strongly suggests the demand for future research focuses on the advancement of the removal efficiency of contaminants with the improvement of relevant landfill management to reduce the potential effects of disposable waste. We propose the necessity of the identification and monitoring of potential environmental and human health risks associated with landfill leachate contaminants.

scholarly journals Antibiotics and Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Animal Manure – Consequences of Its Application in Agriculture

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Zalewska ◽  
Aleksandra Błażejewska ◽  
Agnieszka Czapko ◽  
Magdalena Popowska
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Resistance Genes ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance Genes ◽  
Animal Manure ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Poultry Production

Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are a relatively new type of pollutant. The rise in antibiotic resistance observed recently is closely correlated with the uncontrolled and widespread use of antibiotics in agriculture and the treatment of humans and animals. Resistant bacteria have been identified in soil, animal feces, animal housing (e.g., pens, barns, or pastures), the areas around farms, manure storage facilities, and the guts of farm animals. The selection pressure caused by the irrational use of antibiotics in animal production sectors not only promotes the survival of existing antibiotic-resistant bacteria but also the development of new resistant forms. One of the most critical hot-spots related to the development and dissemination of ARGs is livestock and poultry production. Manure is widely used as a fertilizer thanks to its rich nutrient and organic matter content. However, research indicates that its application may pose a severe threat to human and animal health by facilitating the dissemination of ARGs to arable soil and edible crops. This review examines the pathogens, potentially pathogenic microorganisms and ARGs which may be found in animal manure, and evaluates their effect on human health through their exposure to soil and plant resistomes. It takes a broader view than previous studies of this topic, discussing recent data on antibiotic use in farm animals and the effect of these practices on the composition of animal manure; it also examines how fertilization with animal manure may alter soil and crop microbiomes, and proposes the drivers of such changes and their consequences for human health.

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