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Effects of agricultural inputs on soil virome-associated antibiotic resistance and virulence: A focus on manure, microplastic and pesticide
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Researchers studied how agricultural inputs including manure, microplastics, and pesticides affect virus communities in soil and their potential to carry antibiotic resistance genes. They found that manure application significantly increased both viral diversity and the abundance of resistance and virulence genes carried by viruses. The study reveals that soil viruses may play a previously underappreciated role in spreading antibiotic resistance through agricultural ecosystems.
Soil viruses are increasingly recognized as crucial mediators of horizontal gene transfer, yet their role in disseminating antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence factor genes (VFGs) under agricultural disturbances remains poorly understood. Here, we characterized the viromes and associated ARGs and VFGs in agricultural soils treated with low- and high-dose manures, microplastics, and pesticides. Using metagenomic sequencing coupled with advanced viral identification tools, we found that manure fertilization markedly altered viral community composition and increased viral diversity. Manure also enhanced the abundance of ARGs and VFGs in viromes by 2.0-9.8-fold and 2.0-8.1-fold, respectively, while microplastics and pesticides had limited impacts. Additionally, gene pathways related to human diseases and environmental adaptation were enriched in soil viromes treated with manures and high-dose pesticides. Virus-host prediction revealed that Actinomycetia dominated bacterial hosts of both ARG- and VFG-carrying viruses, with some VFG-carrying viruses linked to potential human pathogens, e.g., Escherichia albertii and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Co-occurrence network analysis indicated that these disturbances strengthened connections between bacteria, viruses, and ARGs (or VFGs). Our study provides a comprehensive profile of viromes and associated risks in agricultural soil under three disturbances, highlighting the role of viruses in spread of antibiotic resistance and pathogenic risks in agricultural soil.
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Researchers studied soil from ten farmland fields near a cattle farm in northwestern China, measuring manure markers, antibiotics, and microplastics. Manure input was the strongest factor linked to differences in soil microbial communities, while antibiotics showed no independent effect and microplastics' role remained unclear, requiring further controlled studies.
Effects of coexistence of tetracycline, copper and microplastics on the fate of antibiotic resistance genes in manured soil
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Researchers investigated how the co-presence of tetracycline, copper, and microplastics in manured agricultural soil affects antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) abundance, finding that microplastics amplified ARG spread when combined with the other stressors.
Polyvinyl chloride microplastics disseminate antibiotic resistance genes in Chinese soil: A metagenomic analysis
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Researchers used metagenomic analysis to investigate how polyvinyl chloride microplastics affect the spread of antibiotic resistance genes in Chinese soils. They found that PVC microplastics significantly influenced soil bacterial community composition and increased the abundance of certain antibiotic resistance genes. The study raises concerns that microplastic contamination in agricultural soils may accelerate the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance.
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