scholarly journals Effect of Powdered Activated Carbon as Advanced Step in Wastewater Treatments on Antibiotic Resistant Microorganisms

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damiana Ravasi ◽  
Roger König ◽  
Pamela Principi ◽  
Giuseppe Perale ◽  
Antonella Demarta

Background: Conventional wastewater treatment plants discharge significant amounts of antibiotic resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes into natural water bodies contributing to the spread of antibiotic resistance. Some advanced wastewater treatment technologies have been shown to effectively decrease the number of bacteria. Nevertheless, there is still a lack of knowledge about the effectiveness of these treatments on antibiotic resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistant genes. To the best of our knowledge, no specific studies have considered how powdered activated carbon (PAC) treatments can act on antibiotic resistant bacteria, although it is essential to assess the impact of this wastewater treatment on the spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria. </P><P> Methods: To address this gap, we evaluated the fate and the distribution of fluorescent-tagged antibiotic/ antimycotic resistant microorganisms in a laboratory-scale model simulating a process configuration involving powdered activated carbon as advanced wastewater treatment. Furthermore, we studied the possible increase of naturally existing antibiotic resistant bacteria during the treatment implementing PAC recycling. Results: The analysis of fluorescent-tagged microorganisms demonstrated the efficacy of the PAC adsorption treatment in reducing the load of both susceptible and resistant fluorescent microorganisms in the treated water, reaching a removal efficiency of 99.70%. Moreover, PAC recycling did not increase the resistance characteristics of cultivable bacteria neither in the sludge nor in the treated effluent. Conclusion: Results suggest that wastewater PAC treatment is a promising technology not only for the removal of micropollutants but also for its effect in decreasing antibiotic resistant bacteria release.

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Camila Zapata Zúñiga ◽  
Miguel Angel Parra-Pérez ◽  
Johan Alexander Álvarez-Berrio ◽  
Nidia Isabel Molina-Gómez

This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of technologies for removing antibiotics, antibiotic-resistant bacteria and their antibiotic resistance genes, and the countries where they have been developed. For this purpose, was conducted a systematic review to identify the tertiary treatments to remove the above-mentioned pollutants. The ScienceDirect and Scopus databases were used as sources of information, taking into account only experimental research from 2006 to 2019 and technologies with removal rates higher than 70% to the information analyses. From the analysis of 9 technologies evaluated, in a set of 47 investigations, photo-Fenton, and electrochemical treatments were found to be the most efficient in the removal of antibiotics; gamma radiation and photocatalysis with TiO2 and UV revealed better results in the removal of resistant microbial agents and their resistance genes, with efficiencies of 99.9%. As one of the largest producers and consumers of antibiotics, China appears to be the country with the most scientific research on the area. The importance of innovation in wastewater treatment processes to achieve better results in the remotion of antibiotics, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and their resistance genes is highlighted, given the effects on the aquatic ecosystems and public health.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cian Smyth ◽  
Aidan O’Flaherty ◽  
Fiona Walsh ◽  
Thi Thuy Do

AbstractWastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) provide optimal conditions for the maintenance and spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). In this work we describe the occurrence of antibiotic resistant faecal coliforms and their mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in the effluent of two urban WWTPs in Ireland. Effluent samples were collected from two WWTPs in Spring and Autumn of 2015 and 2016. The bacterial susceptibility patterns to 13 antibiotics were determined. The phenotypic tests were carried out to identify AmpC or extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producers. The presence of ESBL genes were detected by PCR. Plasmids carrying ESBL genes were transformed into Escherichia coli DH5α recipient and underwent plasmid replicon typing to identify incompatibility groups. More than 90% of isolated faecal coliforms were resistant to amoxicillin and ampicillin, followed by tetracycline (up to 39.82%), ciprofloxacin (up to 31.42%) and trimethoprim (up to 37.61%). Faecal coliforms resistant to colistin and imipenem were detected in all effluent samples. Up to 53.98% of isolated faecal coliforms expressed a multi-drug resistance (MRD) phenotype. AmpC production was confirmed in 5.22% of isolates. The ESBL genes were confirmed for 11.84% of isolates (9.2% of isolates carried blaTEM, 1.4% blaSHV-12, 0.2% blaCTX-M-1 and 1% blaCTX-M-15). Plasmids extracted from 52 ESBL isolates were successfully transformed into recipient E. coli. The detected plasmid incompatibility groups included the IncF group, IncI1, IncHI1/2 and IncA/C. These results provide evidence that treated wastewater is polluted with ARB and MDR faecal coliforms and are sources of ESBL-producing, carbapenem and colistin resistant Enterobacteriaceae.ImportanceAntibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) are an emerging environmental concern with a potential impact on human health. The results provide the evidence that treated wastewater is polluted with antibiotic resistant bacteria containing mobile resistance mechanisms of importance to clinical treatment of pathogens and multi-drug resistant (MDR) faecal coliforms. They are sources of relatively high proportions of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae, and include carbapenem and colistin resistant Enterobacteriaceae. The significance of this study is the identification of the role of WWTPs as a potential control point to reduce or stop the movement of ESBL, MDR and colistin resistant bacteria into the environment from further upstream sources, such as human or animal waste.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (4A) ◽  
pp. 199-209
Author(s):  
Nguyen Kim Hanh ◽  
Nguyen Trinh Duc Hieu ◽  
Nguyen Minh Hieu ◽  
Vo Hai Thi ◽  
Pham Thi Mien ◽  
...  

To assess the impact of antibiotic use in aquaculture in Nha Trang bay, we conducted this study with the aim of assessing antibiotic resistance of opportunistic pathogenic bacteria isolated from water and sediment around shrimp/fish cages in the Nha Trang bay. 109 strains of Vibrio, Salmonella-Shigella and Aeromonas groups were isolated in the surrounding environment of farming areas in Dam Bay and Hon Mieu. Antimicrobial resistance test of these 109 strains showed that in the water environment in Dam Bay, TET (96.6%) and NIT (92.5%) were the two antibiotics with the highest rates of resistant bacteria while no bacteria were resistant to RIF. All 5 types of antibiotics had a statistically insignificant percentage of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in water samples at Hon Mieu, ranging from 33.3% to 68.9%. Also in the water environment, the rate of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in Dam Bay was not influenced by the distance to the cages (42.5–66.6%). Meanwhile, in Hon Mieu, the highest rate of resistant bacteria was observed at the distance of 200 m (100%) away from cages and the lowest rate at the distance of 100 m (20%). In the sediment environment around the cages, both the Dam Bay and Hon Mieu farming areas showed the highest rates of antibiotic-resistant bacteria against TET, NIF and RIF had the lowest rate of resistant bacteria. Among the total of 109 strains tested for antibiotic resistance, 2 strains labeled TCBS_HM200 m and SS_HM200 m were found to be resistant to all 5 tested antibiotics. These two strains were respectively identified as Vibrio harveyi and Oceanimonas sp.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cian Smyth ◽  
Aidan O’Flaherty ◽  
Fiona Walsh ◽  
Thi Thuy Do

AbstractWastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) provide optimal conditions for the maintenance and spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). In this work we describe the occurrence of antibiotic resistant faecal coliforms and their mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in the effluent of two urban WWTPs in Ireland. Effluent samples were collected from two WWTPs in Spring and Autumn of 2015 and 2016. The bacterial susceptibility patterns to 13 antibiotics were determined. The phenotypic tests were carried out to identify AmpC or extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producers. The presence of ESBL genes were detected by PCR. Plasmids carrying ESBL genes were transformed into Escherichia coli DH5α recipient and underwent plasmid replicon typing to identify incompatibility groups. More than 90% of isolated faecal coliforms were resistant to amoxicillin and ampicillin, followed by tetracycline (up to 39.82%), ciprofloxacin (up to 31.42%) and trimethoprim (up to 37.61%). Faecal coliforms resistant to colistin and imipenem were detected in all effluent samples. Up to 53.98% of isolated faecal coliforms expressed a multi-drug resistance (MRD) phenotype. AmpC production was confirmed in 5.22% of isolates. The ESBL genes were confirmed for 11.84% of isolates (9.2% of isolates carried blaTEM, 1.4% blaSHV-12, 0.2% blaCTX-M-1 and 1% blaCTX-M-15). Plasmids extracted from 52 ESBL isolates were successfully transformed into recipient E. coli. The detected plasmid incompatibility groups included the IncF group, IncI1, IncHI1/2 and IncA/C. These results provide evidence that treated wastewater is polluted with ARB and MDR faecal coliforms and are sources of ESBL-producing, carbapenem and colistin resistant Enterobacteriaceae.ImportanceAntibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) are an emerging environmental concern with a potential impact on human health. The results provide the evidence that treated wastewater is polluted with antibiotic resistant bacteria containing mobile resistance mechanisms of importance to clinical treatment of pathogens and multi-drug resistant (MDR) faecal coliforms. They are sources of relatively high proportions of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae, and include carbapenem and colistin resistant Enterobacteriaceae. The significance of this study is the identification of the role of WWTPs as a potential control point to reduce or stop the movement of ESBL, MDR and colistin resistant bacteria into the environment from further upstream sources, such as human or animal waste.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daloha Rodríguez-Molina ◽  
Petra Mang ◽  
Heike Schmitt ◽  
Mariana Carmen Chifiriuc ◽  
Katja Radon ◽  
...  

Background. Antibiotic resistance is a global public health threat. Water from human activities is collected at wastewater treatment plants where processes often do not sufficiently neutralize antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes, which are further shed into the local environment. This protocol outlines the steps to conduct a systematic review based on the Population, Exposure, Comparator and Outcome (PECO) framework, aiming at answering the question Are antimicrobial-resistant enterobacteriaceae and antimicrobial resistance genes present (O) in air and water samples (P) taken either near or downstream or downwind or down-gradient from wastewater treatment plants (E), as compared to air and water samples taken either further away or upstream or upwind or up-gradient from such wastewater treatment plant (C)? Presence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and genes will be quantitatively measured by extracting their prevalence or concentration, depending on the reviewed study. Methods. We will search PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane database and Web of Science for original articles published from 01-Jan-2000 to 03-Sep-2018 with language restriction. Articles will undergo a relevance and a design screening process. Data from eligible articles will be extracted by two independent reviewers. Further, we will perform a risk of bias assessment using a decision matrix. We will synthesize and present results in narrative and tabular form and will perform a meta-analysis if heterogeneity of results allows it. Discussion. Antibiotic resistance in environmental samples around wastewater treatment plants may pose a risk of exposure to workers and nearby residents. Results from the systematic review outlined in this protocol will allow to estimate the extend of exposure, to inform policy making and help to design future studies.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daloha Rodríguez-Molina ◽  
Petra Mang ◽  
Heike Schmitt ◽  
Mariana Carmen Chifiriuc ◽  
Katja Radon ◽  
...  

Background. Antibiotic resistance is a global public health threat. Water from human activities is collected at wastewater treatment plants where processes often do not sufficiently neutralize antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes, which are further shed into the local environment. This protocol outlines the steps to conduct a systematic review based on the Population, Exposure, Comparator and Outcome (PECO) framework, aiming at answering the question Are antimicrobial-resistant enterobacteriaceae and antimicrobial resistance genes present (O) in air and water samples (P) taken either near or downstream or downwind or down-gradient from wastewater treatment plants (E), as compared to air and water samples taken either further away or upstream or upwind or up-gradient from such wastewater treatment plant (C)? Presence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and genes will be quantitatively measured by extracting their prevalence or concentration, depending on the reviewed study. Methods. We will search PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane database and Web of Science for original articles published from 01-Jan-2000 to 03-Sep-2018 with language restriction. Articles will undergo a relevance and a design screening process. Data from eligible articles will be extracted by two independent reviewers. Further, we will perform a risk of bias assessment using a decision matrix. We will synthesize and present results in narrative and tabular form and will perform a meta-analysis if heterogeneity of results allows it. Discussion. Antibiotic resistance in environmental samples around wastewater treatment plants may pose a risk of exposure to workers and nearby residents. Results from the systematic review outlined in this protocol will allow to estimate the extend of exposure, to inform policy making and help to design future studies.


2012 ◽  
Vol 65 (7) ◽  
pp. 1323-1331 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Sigala ◽  
A. Unc

Increased incidence of antibiotics in human-affected environments is raising concerns about increase in acquired antibiotic resistance by environmental bacteria. Wastewater collection and treatment systems are likely significant anthropogenic sinks and vectors for antibiotics and associated antibiotic resistance. Typical municipal treatment plants collect wastewaters of various sources, including well-established antibiotic resistance reservoirs such as hospitals, intensive care units and nursing homes, and integrate them with sources not commonly identified as major sources of antibiotic resistance, such as residential or industrial sources. A comprehensive PCR-DGGE diversity analysis of wastewater antibiotic-resistant bacteria was performed to evaluate the role of various wastewater sources in the discharge of antibiotic resistance by a municipal treatment plant. Wastewater sources are clearly inducing resistance in the final effluent but the role of each source type is highly variable, likely as a function of variable environmental conditions or water use patterns. Comparisons between primary treatment and secondary treatment stages indicate a strong role of the intensity of the wastewater treatment in the diversity profiles of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. While pervasiveness of antibiotic resistance in the system impedes clear discrimination between sources in the tested system, there are indications of specific source type related impacts.


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