Metagenomic insights into resistome, mobilome and virulome in different fecal waste

Invasive apple snails with their core microbes are underestimated hotspots for disseminating antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors in aquatic habitats

Antibiotic resistance in pathogens is a threat to human health. The invasive apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata), widely distributed and linked to human activities, is a potential vector for human pathogens. However, its role in spreading antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) is poorly understood. This study assessed the microbiological risk of this snail by sampling from five interconnected habitats: feces of invasive apple snails and native snails, ditch water, sediment, and soil. Using metagenomic and 16S rRNA sequencing, we analyzed the microbial communities and quantified the ARGs and virulence factors (VFs). Results showed that invasive apple snails carried significantly higher levels of ARGs and VFs compared with the native snails and environmental samples. ARGs and VFs were primarily found co-occurring in Aeromonas and Citrobacter freundii, with Aeromonas identified as the core microbe selected by invasive apple snails. Furthermore, the abundance and community dissimilarity of Aeromonas positively correlated with those of ARGs and VFs, both directly and indirectly through mobile genetic elements. This suggests Aeromonas may play a key role in disseminating ARGs and VFs across habitats. Overall, this study highlights the invasive apple snail as a significant vector for ARGs and virulent pathogens, providing critical insights for risk assessment and targeted management within the One Health framework.