We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Comparison of Antibiotic Resistance of Escherichia coli Populations from Water or Sediment in Rivers Environments
Summary
This study compared antibiotic-resistant E. coli in river water and sediment, examining how bacteria form biofilms and stabilize resistance in these environments. Microplastics in aquatic environments are known to promote biofilm formation and concentrate antibiotic resistance genes, amplifying this public health concern.
The detection of antibiotic-resistant facultative pathogenic bacteria in surface waters is common in the present day. However, there is limited understanding of the factors that influence the spread and stabilization of resistance in this habitat, particularly regarding the role of biofilms. Despite the perceived differences between sediments, biofilms, and open water, their potential contribution to the long-term maintenance of resistances remains unclear. In this study, we investigated Escherichia coli isolates obtained from the Mur and Drava rivers in Austria. Samples were collected from both the water column and sediment at two locations per river: upstream and downstream of an urban area, including a sewage treatment plant. The iso-lates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing against 21 antibiotics belonging to seven distinct classes. Additionally, any isolates exhibiting an extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) or carbapenemase phenotype were further analyzed for the presence of specific antimi-crobial resistance genes. E. coli isolates obtained from the two rivers exhibited resistance to at least one of the tested anti-biotics, with rates of 25.83% and 23.66% respectively. The most prevalent antimicrobial re-sistances observed were towards ampicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, tetracycline, and na-lidixic acid. Surprisingly, there was a similar proportion of resistant bacteria observed in both open water and sediment samples, contrary to expectations. The difference in resistance levels between samples collected upstream and downstream of the cities was minimal. Out of the total isolates, 13 E. coli were found to carry ESBL genes with one isolate carrying the gene for KPC-2 carbapenemase. There were no significant differences between the biofilm (sediment) and open water samples in the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance. Even the difference between the samples upstream and downstream of the cities and their wastewater treatment plants was minor. There seems to be no evidence of a large adaptive effect in this analysed biofilm population of E. coli. The un-typical phenotype of the KPC-producing and some of the ESBL-producing E. coli from this study could, however, be an indication that such adaptation effects generally exist in water.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Comparison of the Antibiotic Resistance of Escherichia coli Populations from Water and Biofilm in River Environments
Researchers compared antibiotic resistance in E. coli populations from river water versus sediment and biofilm samples at locations upstream and downstream of urban areas in Austria. They found that biofilm and sediment environments harbored bacteria with higher rates of antibiotic resistance compared to the water column. The study suggests that river biofilms may serve as reservoirs for antibiotic-resistant bacteria, with implications for how pollutants including microplastics interact with microbial communities.
Regulation of ARGs abundance by biofilm colonization on microplastics under selective pressure of antibiotics in river water environment
Researchers investigated how biofilms forming on microplastics in river water affect the spread of antibiotic resistance genes under antibiotic pressure. They found that the presence of antibiotics accelerated biofilm colonization on microplastic surfaces and significantly increased the abundance of resistance genes compared to conditions without antibiotics. The study suggests that microplastics in waterways may serve as hotspots for the development and transfer of antibiotic resistance.
Microplastics accumulate priority antibiotic-resistant pathogens: Evidence from the riverine plastisphere
Researchers placed microplastics in river water and found they accumulated more antibiotic-resistant bacteria than natural sand particles, including dangerous pathogens like E. coli and Klebsiella. Most of the bacteria isolated from the plastic surfaces were multi-drug resistant and carried virulence traits like biofilm formation. This suggests microplastics in waterways may act as rafts for spreading antibiotic resistance through the environment.
Microplastics Pose an Elevated Antimicrobial Resistance Risk Than Natural Surfaces via a Systematic Comparative Study of Surface Biofilms in Rivers
A systematic comparison of biofilms on microplastics versus natural surfaces like wood and rock in rivers found that microplastics harbor 10 times more antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The microplastics' water-repelling surface properties encourage the growth of drug-resistant pathogens and the accumulation of resistance genes. This finding is concerning because microplastics flowing through waterways could be spreading antibiotic resistance, which is a major threat to global public health.
Biofilm formation on microplastics and interactions with antibiotics, antibiotic resistance genes and pathogens in aquatic environment
This review explains how microplastics in waterways develop bacterial biofilms on their surfaces that can harbor antibiotic-resistant bacteria and help spread antibiotic resistance genes to new environments. This is concerning for human health because these resistant microbes could eventually reach people through drinking water or seafood consumption.