Resistant Genes and Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria in Wastewater: A Study of Their Transfer to the Water Reservoir in the Czech Republic

Abstract

Wastewater is considered the most serious source of the spread of antibiotic resistance in the environment. This work, therefore, focuses on the fate and spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in wastewater and the monitoring of multidrug-resistant strains. ARGs were monitored in the nitrification and sedimentation tanks of the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and in the dam into which this WWTP flows, at various times. The highest relative abundance was found for the blaTEM > tetW > blaNDM-1 > vanA resistance genes, respectively. An increased concentration of tetracycline (up to 96.00 ng/L) and ampicillin (up to 19.00 ng/L) was found in water samples compared to other antibiotics detected. The increased incidence of seven ARGs and four antibiotics was observed in the November and December sampling times. Isolated ampicillin-resistant strains showed a high degree of resistance to ampicillin (61.2% of the total isolates had a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ≥ 20 mg/mL). In 87.8% of isolates, out of the total number, the occurrence of two or more ARGs was confirmed. These multidrug-resistant strains were most often identified as Aeromonas sp. This strain could represent a significant role in the spread of multidrug resistance through wastewater in the environment.

Genetic epidemiology and plasmid-mediated transmission of mcr-1 by Escherichia coli ST155 from wastewater of long-term care facilities

“…Previous studies have shown that wastewater samples like wastewater treatment plants can be a source of multidrug-resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes in the environment ( 39 , 40 ). Our study also demonstrates the potential for the spread of mcr-1 from wastewater to human populations.…”

The Role of Grass Compost and Zea Mays in Alleviating Toxic Effects of Tetracycline on the Soil Bacteria Community

“…Both the microorganisms and enzymes they produce are very good indicators of soil health [ 59 , 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 ], because they are sensitive to various changes proceeding in the environment [ 34 , 59 , 61 ]. The present study results demonstrate that activity of oxidoreductases depended on all variables tested, i.e., soil contamination with tetracycline, soil fertilization with compost, soil sowing with Zea mays , and experiment duration.…”

“…According to Conde-Cid et al [ 23 ], antibiotics can be detected in approximately 40% of manures and 17% of soils therein. In addition, the highly hydrophilic character and low volatility of antibiotics make them highly stable in surface and ground waters [ 16 , 34 , 35 ], and even in drinking water [ 36 ].…”

“…Given the above, they pose severe environmental problems, including ecological hazards and adverse effects on human health. These problems additionally lead to the emergence of antibiotic resistance genes in the environment [ 34 , 37 ]. Considering high amounts of tetracyclines used worldwide, their monitoring, including identifying responses of soil microorganisms and determining enzymatic activity, seems to be of key importance.…”

Recent Advances in Advanced Oxidation Processes for Degrading Pharmaceuticals in Wastewater—A Review

“…Other antibiotics, such as sulfamethoxazole, could cause mutations in genes and chronic health effects [55]. In general, the presence of antibiotics in the environment can lead to the enhancement of antibiotic-resistant genes and multi-drugresistant microbes that have been part of the global public health crisis [56,57]. Therefore, the removal of these emerging contaminants from wastewater is indispensable.…”