Comparison of culturable antibiotic-resistant bacteria in polluted and non-polluted air in Beijing, China

Abstract

Background: Air pollution has been a serious health issue in Beijing for years. Airborne antibiotic-resistant bacteria could be a potential health crisis as reserve of antibiotic resistance transmission in environment. The composition and antibiotic resistance pattern of culturable bacterial community and how these are affected by air pollution remain unclear.Objectives: This study aimed to compare the compositions and antibiotic resistance patterns of culturable bacteria in polluted and non-polluted weather conditions in Beijing. Methods: Air samples were collected indoors and outdoors during polluted and non-polluted weather using sixstage Andersen Samplers. For each isolated bacterium, the 16S ribosomal RNA gene was amplified, sequenced, and blasted against the National Center for Biotechnology Information database Antibiotic resistance was conducted by antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Results: Bacterial concentration in polluted weather was significantly higher than in non-polluted weather, both indoors and outdoors (P < 0.05). Gram-positive bacteria (GPB) were dominant in both weathers but gramnegative bacteria (GNB) were more abundant in polluted weather than non-polluted weather both indoors and outdoors. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria occupied 23.7% of all bacterial isolates, 22.4% of isolates from polluted weather and 27.8% of isolates from non-polluted weather. Penicillins were resisted by 72.4% and 83.3% of isolates from polluted and non-polluted weather, respectively. Conclusions: The bacterial concentration was significantly higher in polluted weather, compared to non-polluted weather. Polluted weather is correlated with changes in the bacterial composition in the air, with a greater abundance of GNB. Penicillins was resisted by over 70% of bacterial isolates. The abundance of MDR bacteria suggested potential risks for human health.

Aspergillus Section Fumigati in Firefighter Headquarters

“…Furthermore, the underestimation of microbial contamination collected by impaction devices (Andersen six-stage and Millipore sampling devices), due to cell damage during sampling process, has already been stated [18,40,41]. However, the sixstage Andersen sampler allows the hazardous range where the Fumigati section has lung penetrability to be identified [17,18,41]. Indeed, in four of the assessed FFHs, section Fumigati at stage 6 (0.65 µm) of reaching alveoli was observed.…”

“…in air samples performed by Millipore and six-stage Andersen, the Fumigati section was predominant in Millipore air samples in MEA. Furthermore, the underestimation of microbial contamination collected by impaction devices (Andersen six-stage and Millipore sampling devices), due to cell damage during sampling process, has already been stated [18,40,41]. However, the sixstage Andersen sampler allows the hazardous range where the Fumigati section has lung penetrability to be identified [17,18,41].…”

Antibiotic resistance genes in bacteria: Occurrence, spread, and control

“…(5/18) in unpolluted weather. Most culturable strains were resistant to penicillin [82]. Compared to industrial and urban areas, the seasonal differences of airborne bacteria and ARGs in PM2.5 from rural areas were the most obvious; the total number of bacteria was significantly lower in winter, and specific ARGs were enriched (diluted in spring).…”

Concentrations, Size Distribution, and Community Structure Characteristics of Culturable Airborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria in Xinxiang, Central China

“…China is the largest global user of antibiotics, with an annual usage of approximately 92,700 tons, about 58% of which were eventually discharged into the environment [11]. Mao et al [12] found that the abuse of antibiotics can promote the development of bacterial resistance in the environment. They reported that bacteria in Beijing's atmosphere have a high proportion of antibiotic resistance to penicillin and cephalosporins.…”