The Spreading of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria in Terrestrial Ecosystems and the Formation of Soil Resistome

Abstract

Terrestrial ecosystems play a crucial role in the formation of soil resistome and the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Comprehensive studies of soil microbial communities, their structure, integrity, and level of antibiotic resistance (AR) in various terrestrial ecosystems were conducted. In total, 389 strains of dominant bacteria were isolated from the studied ecosystems, 57 of which were resistant to antibiotics, with levels of antibiotic resistance exceeding 70%. The soil microbiome of primeval forests was characterized by a low content of bacteria resistant to antibiotics; only two species, Bacillus cereus and Pantoea agglomerans, showed a high resistance to antibiotics. In the soil of agroecosystems of medicinal plants, among 106 strains of bacteria, a high level of resistance to antibiotics was found in 13 species. It was established that the number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is highest in the soil of agroecosystems contaminated by enrofloxacin. Among 190 tested bacterial strains, 42 (22%) were characterized by a high level of antibiotic resistance. Therefore, the soil ecosystem is a key link in the formation and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which is a potential danger to humans. To reduce the risk of AR for humans, it is necessary to take appropriate measures to manage the soil microbiome and avoid soil contamination with antibiotics.

Antibiotic resistance in livestock, environment and humans: One Health perspective

“…The study also revealed that Pantoea agglomerans and Bacillus cereus showed the highest levels of resistance. Approximately 23% of the isolated bacteria exhibited resistance to antibiotics [ 50 ]. Among all classes of ARGs found in wastewater samples worldwide, tet genes exhibited the highest detection frequency, with researchers identifying approximately 20 different types of tet genes in wastewater [ 51 ].…”

Valorization of Spent Mushroom Substrate: Establishing the Foundation for Waste-Free Production

“…Usually, microbial biomass responds more promptly to management practices compared to the total organic carbon content in the soil [51][52][53]. It is known that microbial biomass is an important indicator in assessing the ecological status of ecosystems, as well as a sensitive indicator for the influence of applied agricultural technologies and fertilizers [54][55][56]. The microbiological analysis of soil from the selected agroecosystems, where blueberries were cultivated with the addition of SMS and peat, yielded notable results as can be observed in Table 4.…”

Microbial transformation of soil organic matter under varying agricultural management systems in Ukraine

“…It serves as a sink and source for various elements, such as carbon (C), nitrogen, and phosphorus. These elements are essential for the functioning of biological processes and are recycled through soil microorganisms, plants, and other organisms in the ecosystem ( Gomiero, 2016 ; Demyanyuk et al, 2020 ; Gomes et al, 2023 ; Symochko et al, 2023 ). In particular, soil plays a pivotal role in the destructive chain of the C cycle and its sequestration (or deposition), thereby influencing climate change.…”

“…Since biological indicators of soil quickly respond to natural and anthropogenic factors, they are widely used in monitoring studies, to assess soil health, and to develop environmentally safe agricultural technologies ( Rinot et al, 2019 ; Symochko et al, 2021b , 2023 ; Bhaduri et al, 2022 ).…”