Factors associated with elevated levels of antibiotic resistance genes in sewer sediments and wastewater

Eramo, Alessia; Medina, William R. Morales; Fahrenfeld, Nicole

doi:10.1039/d0ew00230e

Cited by 15 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 62 publications

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“…Samples were collected between June and September 2017 in replicate at least one week apart with a total of 20 samples (5 systems × 2 matrices × 2 replicates) during baseflow conditions with precipitation measurements in the preceding 48 h at the nearest gauges averaging 0.38 ± 0.50 cm (ranging from 0 to 1.32 cm). All the samples used in this study represent a subset of those used for DNA analyses in previously published research from our lab [ 5 ]. The locations for sewer sediment grab samples were selected based on the presence of solid deposition sufficient to collect 1 L including manholes and wet wells.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Composite wastewater influent samples (24 h, 2 L via autosampler) were collected on the same day of each sediment sampling event from the corresponding downstream wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). More details of the sampling events and locations can be found in Table 1 and in Eramo et al [ 5 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A previous study in our lab evaluated the abundance of selected ARGs via qPCR and the prokaryotic community in metagenomic DNA from combined and separate sanitary sewer sediment and wastewater samples [ 5 ]. The results showed the presence of all the tested ARGs with variation by season and matrix ranging from 0.8 to 11 Log 10 ARG copies per 16S rRNA gene copy and also the presence of bacterial taxa containing potential human pathogens and corrosion-causing prokaryotes [ 5 ]. This study aims to reassess the abundance of ARGs and the microbial community composition from selected sampled of this previous study [ 5 ] but at the actively transcribed, RNA level.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The results showed the presence of all the tested ARGs with variation by season and matrix ranging from 0.8 to 11 Log 10 ARG copies per 16S rRNA gene copy and also the presence of bacterial taxa containing potential human pathogens and corrosion-causing prokaryotes [ 5 ]. This study aims to reassess the abundance of ARGs and the microbial community composition from selected sampled of this previous study [ 5 ] but at the actively transcribed, RNA level. The presence of specific mRNA sequences in environmental total RNA samples indicates that some bacterial cells have the required genetic code to transcribe a gene and potentially express it.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The specific aims of this study were to (1) characterize, quantify, and compare the occurrence of actively transcribed ARGs in wastewater and sewer sediment of combined and separate sanitary sewer systems; (2) describe the metabolically active prokaryotic diversity in both sewer matrices and sewer types, focusing on taxonomical families containing potential human pathogens and corrosion-causing prokaryotes; and (3) compare the sewer sediment and wastewater microbiome obtained by 16S rRNA and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, using the 16S rRNA gene sequencing data from our previous study [ 5 ]. To achieve these aims, sewer sediment and wastewater samples were collected from separate sanitary and combined sewer systems.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Metabolically Active Prokaryotes and Actively Transcribed Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Sewer Systems: Implications for Public Health and Microbially Induced Corrosion

2021

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Sewer systems are reservoirs of pathogens and bacteria carrying antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). However, most recent high-throughput studies rely on DNA-based techniques that cannot provide information on the physiological state of the cells nor expression of ARGs. In this study, wastewater and sewer sediment samples were collected from combined and separate sanitary sewer systems. The metabolically active prokaryote community was evaluated using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and actively transcribed ARG abundance was measured using mRNA RT-qPCR. Three ( sul 1, bla TEM , tet (G)) of the eight tested ARGs were quantifiable in select samples. Sewer sediment samples had greater abundance of actively transcribed ARGs compared to wastewater. Microbiome analysis showed the presence of metabolically active family taxa that contain clinically relevant pathogens (Pseudomonadaceae, Enterobacteraceae, Streptococcaceae, Arcobacteraceae, and Clostridiaceae) and corrosion-causing prokaryotes (Desulfobulbaceae and Desulfovibrionaceae) in both matrices. Spirochaetaceae and methanogens were more common in the sediment matrix while Mycobacteraceae were more common in wastewater. The microbiome obtained from 16S rRNA sequencing had a significantly different structure from the 16S rRNA gene microbiome. Overall, this study demonstrates active transcription of ARGs in sewer systems and provides insight into the abundance and physiological state of taxa of interest in the different sewer matrices and sewer types relevant for wastewater-based epidemiology, corrosion, and understanding the hazard posed by different matrices during sewer overflows. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00248-021-01775-y.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%