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Bonnière A, Khaska S, Le Gal La Salle C, Louvat P, Verdoux P. Long-term impact of wastewater effluent discharge on groundwater: Identification of contaminant plume by geochemical, isotopic, and organic tracers' approach. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 257:121637. [PMID: 38701551 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Infiltration of effluents from wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) into groundwater can be a source of Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs), such as pharmaceutical compounds, that are not fully removed during the treatment processes. A multi-tracer approach, based on hydrogeochemical, isotopic, and organic tracers, is applied in the Vistrenque Aquifer (Gard, France) to assess the dispersion of such unintentional plumes and its potential implication on groundwater quality for CECs in a small catchment area. In this area, a point source of WWTP effluent causes contaminant infiltration and unintentional transfer to the aquifer. This strong impact of an urban effluent was revealed from the Br/Cl ratio, boron concentrations and δ11B isotopic signature of the groundwater in the direct vicinity of the infiltration point. With increasing distance from that point, dilution with groundwater rapidly attenuates the urban signal from these hydrogeochemical and isotopic tracers. Nevertheless, a gadolinium anomaly, resulting from discharges of urban wastewater containing the contrast agents used for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), highlights the presence of a wastewater plume further along the flow line, that comes with a series of organic molecules, including pharmaceutical residues. Monitoring persistent or reactive molecules along the plume provides a more detailed understanding of the transfer of CECs into groundwater bodies. This highlights the relevance of pharmaceutical compounds as co-tracers for WWTP plume delineation. The present multi-tracer approach for groundwater resource vulnerability towards CECs allows a more in-depth understanding of contaminant transfer and their fate in groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Bonnière
- UPR CHROME, Université de Nîmes, F-30021 Nîmes CEDEX 1, France.
| | - S Khaska
- UPR CHROME, Université de Nîmes, F-30021 Nîmes CEDEX 1, France
| | | | - P Louvat
- Université Paris Cité, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, CNRS, UMR 7154, Paris, France; Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, IPREM, UMR 5254, Pau, France
| | - P Verdoux
- UPR CHROME, Université de Nîmes, F-30021 Nîmes CEDEX 1, France
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Yan C, Wan WD, Wang RN, Lai TN, Ali W, He SS, Liu S, Li X, Nasir ZA, Coulon F. Quantitative health risk assessment of microbial hazards from water sources for community and self-supply drinking water systems. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 465:133324. [PMID: 38150760 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
In low and medium income countries (LMIC) drinking water sources (wells and boreholes) often contain a high number of pathogenic microorganisms, that can pose significant human and environmental health risks. In this study, a quantitative microbial risk assessment approach based on existing literature was conducted to evaluate and compare the quantitative health risks associated with different age groups using various drinking water supply systems. Results showed that both community-supply and self-supply modes exhibit similar levels of risk. However, the self-supply water source consistently showed higher risks compared to the community-supply one. Borehole water was found to be a more suitable option than well water, consistently showing between 5 and 8 lower health risks for E. coli and fecal coliform levels, respectively. The sensitivity analysis further showed the importance of prioritizing the reduction of E. coli concentration in well water and fecal coliform concentration in borehole water. This study offers a fresh perception on quantifying the impact of exposure concentration and age groups, shedding light on how they affect environmental health risks. These findings provide valuable insights for stakeholders involved in the management and protection of water sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Yan
- MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Quality and Health, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, PR China; School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China.
| | - Wei-di Wan
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Rui-Ning Wang
- Jiangsu Yancheng Port Holding Group Co., LTD., Yancheng 320900, PR China
| | - Tian-Nuo Lai
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Wajid Ali
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Shan-Shan He
- Central & Southern China Municipal Engineering Design and Research Institute Co., Ltd., Wuhan 430010, PR China
| | - Sai Liu
- CITIC Treated Water into River Engineering Investment Co., Ltd., Wuhan 430200, PR China
| | - Xiang Li
- Three Gorges Base Development Co., Ltd., Yichang 443002, PR China
| | - Zaheer Ahmad Nasir
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Frederic Coulon
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK
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Meyer C, Price S, Ercumen A. Do animal husbandry operations contaminate groundwater sources with antimicrobial resistance: systematic review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:16164-16176. [PMID: 38321277 PMCID: PMC10894137 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-31899-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical global health concern. Animal husbandry operations are AMR hotspots due to heavy antibiotic use and dissemination of animal waste into the environment. In this systematic review, we examined the impact of swine, poultry, and cattle operations on AMR in groundwater. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, CAB Direct, and the North Carolina State University Agricultural and Environmental Science databases in June 2022. The search returned 2487 studies. Of the 23 eligible studies, 17 were conducted in high-income countries (primarily the USA, also Canada, Saudi Arabia, Cyprus), and 6 were conducted in a single upper-middle-income country (China). Studies investigated facilities for swine (13), poultry (4), cattle (3), and multiple types of animals (3). The sampling distance ranged from onsite to > 20 km from facilities; the majority of studies (19) sampled onsite. Most studies collected samples from monitoring wells; only 5 studies investigated private drinking water wells. AMR in groundwater was associated with animal husbandry operations in 74% (17/23) of all studies, 65% (11/17) of studies in high-income countries, and 100% (6/6) of studies in China. Contamination was mostly found in onsite wells, especially downgradient of waste lagoons, but also in offsite private wells up to 2-3 km away. Few studies reported weather data, but AMR contamination appeared to increase with rainy conditions. Future studies should sample private wells at varying distances from animal husbandry operations under different weather conditions and include low- and middle-income countries where food animal production is intensifying.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron Meyer
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, 2800 Faucette Dr, Raleigh, NC, 27607, USA.
| | - Skyler Price
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, 2800 Faucette Dr, Raleigh, NC, 27607, USA
| | - Ayse Ercumen
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, 2800 Faucette Dr, Raleigh, NC, 27607, USA
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Kim C, Riley A, Sriharan S, Nartea T, Ndegwa E, Dhakal R, Zheng G, Baffaut C. Examining Antimicrobial Resistance in Escherichia coli: A Case Study in Central Virginia's Environment. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:223. [PMID: 38534658 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13030223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
While environmental factors may contribute to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacteria, many aspects of environmental antibiotic pollution and resistance remain unknown. Furthermore, the level of AMR in Escherichia coli is considered a reliable indicator of the selection pressure exerted by antimicrobial use in the environment. This study aimed to assess AMR variance in E. coli isolated from diverse environmental samples, such as animal feces and water from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and drainage areas of different land use systems in Central Virginia. In total, 450 E. coli isolates obtained between August 2020 and February 2021 were subjected to susceptibility testing against 12 antimicrobial agents approved for clinical use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Approximately 87.8% of the tested isolates were resistant to at least one antimicrobial agent, with 3.1% showing multi-drug resistance. Streptomycin resistance was the most common (73.1%), while susceptibility to chloramphenicol was the highest (97.6%). One isolate obtained from WWTPs exhibited resistance to seven antimicrobials. AMR prevalence was the highest in WWTP isolates, followed by isolates from drainage areas, wild avians, and livestock. Among livestock, horses had the highest AMR prevalence, while cattle had the lowest. No significant AMR difference was found across land use systems. This study identifies potential AMR hotspots, emphasizing the environmental risk for antimicrobial resistant E. coli. The findings will aid policymakers and researchers, highlighting knowledge gaps in AMR-environment links. This nationally relevant research offers a scalable AMR model for understanding E. coli ecology. Further large-scale research is crucial to confirm the environmental impacts on AMR prevalence in bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chyer Kim
- Agricultural Research Station, Virginia State University, 1 Hayden Drive, Petersburg, VA 23806, USA
| | - Allissa Riley
- Department of Biology, Virginia State University, 1 Hayden Drive, Petersburg, VA 23806, USA
| | - Shobha Sriharan
- Department of Biology, Virginia State University, 1 Hayden Drive, Petersburg, VA 23806, USA
| | - Theresa Nartea
- Cooperative Extension, Virginia State University, 1 Hayden Drive, Petersburg, VA 23806, USA
| | - Eunice Ndegwa
- Agricultural Research Station, Virginia State University, 1 Hayden Drive, Petersburg, VA 23806, USA
| | - Ramesh Dhakal
- Agricultural Research Station, Virginia State University, 1 Hayden Drive, Petersburg, VA 23806, USA
| | - Guolu Zheng
- Department of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Cooperative Research Programs, Lincoln University, 820 Chestnut Street, Jefferson City, MO 65102, USA
| | - Claire Baffaut
- USDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit, 241 Agricultural Engineering Building, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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Wiesner-Friedman C, Beattie RE, Stewart JR, Hristova KR, Serre ML. Identifying sources of antibiotic resistance genes in the environment using the microbial Find, Inform, and Test framework. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1223876. [PMID: 37731922 PMCID: PMC10508347 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1223876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an increasing public health concern for humans, animals, and the environment. However, the contributions of spatially distributed sources of AMR in the environment are not well defined. Methods To identify the sources of environmental AMR, the novel microbial Find, Inform, and Test (FIT) model was applied to a panel of five antibiotic resistance-associated genes (ARGs), namely, erm(B), tet(W), qnrA, sul1, and intI1, quantified from riverbed sediment and surface water from a mixed-use region. Results A one standard deviation increase in the modeled contributions of elevated AMR from bovine sources or land-applied waste sources [land application of biosolids, sludge, and industrial wastewater (i.e., food processing) and domestic (i.e., municipal and septage)] was associated with 34-80% and 33-77% increases in the relative abundances of the ARGs in riverbed sediment and surface water, respectively. Sources influenced environmental AMR at overland distances of up to 13 km. Discussion Our study corroborates previous evidence of offsite migration of microbial pollution from bovine sources and newly suggests offsite migration from land-applied waste. With FIT, we estimated the distance-based influence range overland and downstream around sources to model the impact these sources may have on AMR at unsampled sites. This modeling supports targeted monitoring of AMR from sources for future exposure and risk mitigation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinne Wiesner-Friedman
- Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Rachelle E. Beattie
- U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, MO, United States
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Jill R. Stewart
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | | | - Marc L. Serre
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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Karwowska E, Miaśkiewicz-Pęska E, Gołębiewska K, Tomaszewska P. Microbiological Hazards Associated with the Use of Oligocene Waters: A Study of Water Intakes in Warsaw, Poland. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11040826. [PMID: 37110249 PMCID: PMC10141681 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11040826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Oligocene waters are widely recognized as excellent sources of drinking water. Due to the belief in their good quality, the water from Oligocene intakes in Warsaw, Poland, is made available to users without prior treatment or disinfection. The present study aimed at assessing possible microbiological risks associated with the use of this water. The occurrence of microbiological contaminants in selected intakes was evaluated, in addition to an assessment of possible changes in the microbiological quality of the water under typical storage conditions. The possibility of antibiotic resistance in bacteria isolated from Oligocene water samples was also investigated, as was their sensitivity to selected disinfectants. A small number of bacteria-27.0 ± 60.8 CFU/cm3 and 3.0 ± 3.0 CFU/cm3-were found in Oligocene water intakes for psychrophilic and mesophilic bacteria, respectively. Fecal bacteria were not detected. Bacteria present in Oligocene waters showed the ability to multiply intensively during standard water storage; this was especially true for mesophilic bacteria in water stored at room temperature. In some samples, bacterial counts reached 103-104 CFU/cm3 after 48 h. Almost all bacterial isolates were resistant to the commonly used antibiotics: ampicillin, vancomycin and rifampicin. The bacteria were also insensitive to some disinfectants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Karwowska
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Building Services, Hydro and Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Nowowiejska 20, 00-653 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Miaśkiewicz-Pęska
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Building Services, Hydro and Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Nowowiejska 20, 00-653 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Gołębiewska
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Building Services, Hydro and Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Nowowiejska 20, 00-653 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Paulina Tomaszewska
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Building Services, Hydro and Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Nowowiejska 20, 00-653 Warsaw, Poland
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Burch TR, Stokdyk JP, Firnstahl AD, Kieke BA, Cook RM, Opelt SA, Spencer SK, Durso LM, Borchardt MA. Microbial source tracking and land use associations for antibiotic resistance genes in private wells influenced by human and livestock fecal sources. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 2023; 52:270-286. [PMID: 36479898 DOI: 10.1002/jeq2.20443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance is a growing public health problem that requires an integrated approach among human, agricultural, and environmental sectors. However, few studies address all three components simultaneously. We investigated the occurrence of five antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and the class 1 integron gene (intI1) in private wells drawing water from a vulnerable aquifer influenced by residential septic systems and land-applied dairy manure. Samples (n = 138) were collected across four seasons from a randomized sample of private wells in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin. Measurements of ARGs and intI1 were related to microbial source tracking (MST) markers specific to human and bovine feces; they were also related to 54 risk factors for contamination representing land use, rainfall, hydrogeology, and well construction. ARGs and intI1 occurred in 5%-40% of samples depending on target. Detection frequencies for ARGs and intI1 were lowest in the absence of human and bovine MST markers (1%-30%), highest when co-occurring with human and bovine markers together (11%-78%), and intermediate when co-occurring with just one type of MST marker (4%-46%). Gene targets were associated with septic system density more often than agricultural land, potentially because of the variable presence of manure on the landscape. Determining ARG prevalence in a rural setting with mixed land use allowed an assessment of the relative contribution of human and bovine fecal sources. Because fecal sources co-occurred with ARGs at similar rates, interventions intended to reduce ARG occurrence may be most effective if both sources are considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tucker R Burch
- U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Environmentally Integrated Dairy Management Research Unit, Marshfield, WI, USA
- U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Laboratory for Infectious Disease and the Environment, Marshfield, WI, USA
| | - Joel P Stokdyk
- U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Laboratory for Infectious Disease and the Environment, Marshfield, WI, USA
- U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Marshfield, WI, USA
| | - Aaron D Firnstahl
- U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Laboratory for Infectious Disease and the Environment, Marshfield, WI, USA
- U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Marshfield, WI, USA
| | - Burney A Kieke
- Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Population Health, Marshfield, WI, USA
| | - Rachel M Cook
- U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Environmentally Integrated Dairy Management Research Unit, Marshfield, WI, USA
- U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Laboratory for Infectious Disease and the Environment, Marshfield, WI, USA
| | - Sarah A Opelt
- U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Environmentally Integrated Dairy Management Research Unit, Marshfield, WI, USA
- U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Laboratory for Infectious Disease and the Environment, Marshfield, WI, USA
| | - Susan K Spencer
- U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Environmentally Integrated Dairy Management Research Unit, Marshfield, WI, USA
- U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Laboratory for Infectious Disease and the Environment, Marshfield, WI, USA
| | - Lisa M Durso
- U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Agroecosystem Management Research Unit, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Mark A Borchardt
- U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Environmentally Integrated Dairy Management Research Unit, Marshfield, WI, USA
- U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Laboratory for Infectious Disease and the Environment, Marshfield, WI, USA
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Farkas A, Coman C, Szekeres E, Teban-Man A, Carpa R, Butiuc-Keul A. Molecular Typing Reveals Environmental Dispersion of Antibiotic-Resistant Enterococci under Anthropogenic Pressure. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11091213. [PMID: 36139992 PMCID: PMC9494986 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11091213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
As a consequence of global demographic challenges, both the artificial and the natural environment are increasingly impacted by contaminants of emerging concern, such as bacterial pathogens and their antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). The aim of this study was to determine the extent to which anthropogenic contamination contributes to the spread of antibiotic resistant enterococci in aquatic compartments and to explore genetic relationships among Enterococcus strains. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (ampicillin, imipenem, norfloxacin, gentamycin, vancomycin, erythromycin, tetracycline, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) of 574 isolates showed different rates of phenotypic resistance in bacteria from wastewaters (91.9–94.4%), hospital effluents (73.9%), surface waters (8.2–55.3%) and groundwater (35.1–59.1%). The level of multidrug resistance reached 44.6% in enterococci from hospital effluents. In all samples, except for hospital sewage, the predominant species were E. faecium and E. faecalis. In addition, E. avium, E. durans, E. gallinarum, E. aquimarinus and E. casseliflavus were identified. Enterococcus faecium strains carried the greatest variety of ARGs (blaTEM-1, aac(6′)-Ie-aph(2″), aac(6′)-Im, vanA, vanB, ermB, mefA, tetB, tetC, tetL, tetM, sul1), while E. avium displayed the highest ARG frequency. Molecular typing using the ERIC2 primer revealed substantial genetic heterogeneity, but also clusters of enterococci from different aquatic compartments. Enterococcal migration under anthropogenic pressure leads to the dispersion of clinically relevant strains into the natural environment and water resources. In conclusion, ERIC-PCR fingerprinting in conjunction with ARG profiling is a useful tool for the molecular typing of clinical and environmental Enterococcus species. These results underline the need of safeguarding water quality as a strategy to limit the expansion and progression of the impending antibiotic-resistance crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anca Farkas
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, 1 M. Kogălniceanu Street, 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Centre for Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources, Babeș-Bolyai University, 5–7 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Cristian Coman
- National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences (NIRDBS), Institute of Biological Research, 48 Republicii Street, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Edina Szekeres
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, 1 M. Kogălniceanu Street, 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences (NIRDBS), Institute of Biological Research, 48 Republicii Street, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Adela Teban-Man
- National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences (NIRDBS), Institute of Biological Research, 48 Republicii Street, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Taxonomy and Ecology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, 1 M. Kogălniceanu Street, 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Rahela Carpa
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, 1 M. Kogălniceanu Street, 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Centre for Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources, Babeș-Bolyai University, 5–7 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Anca Butiuc-Keul
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, 1 M. Kogălniceanu Street, 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Centre for Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources, Babeș-Bolyai University, 5–7 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Rocha ADDL, Ferrari RG, Pereira WE, de Lima LA, Givisiez PEN, Moreno-Switt AI, Toro M, Delgado-Suárez EJ, Meng J, de Oliveira CJB. Revisiting the Biological Behavior of Salmonella enterica in Hydric Resources: A Meta-Analysis Study Addressing the Critical Role of Environmental Water on Food Safety and Public Health. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:802625. [PMID: 35722289 PMCID: PMC9201643 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.802625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing number of studies reporting the presence of Salmonella in environmental water sources suggests that it is beyond incidental findings originated from sparse fecal contamination events. However, there is no consensus on the occurrence of Salmonella as its relative serovar representation across non-recycled water sources. We conducted a meta-analysis of proportions by fitting a random-effects model using the restricted maximum-likelihood estimator to obtain the weighted average proportion and between-study variance associated with the occurrence of Salmonella in water sources. Moreover, meta-regression and non-parametric supervised machine learning method were performed to predict the effect of moderators on the frequency of Salmonella in non-recycled water sources. Three sequential steps (identification of information sources, screening and eligibility) were performed to obtain a preliminary selection from identified abstracts and article titles. Questions related to the frequency of Salmonella in aquatic environments, as well as putative differences in the relative frequencies of the reported Salmonella serovars and the role of potential variable moderators (sample source, country, and sample volume) were formulated according to the population, intervention, comparison, and outcome method (PICO). The results were reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyzes statement (PRISMA). A total of 26 eligible papers reporting 148 different Salmonella serovars were retrieved. According to our model, the Salmonella frequency in non-recycled water sources was 0.19 [CI: 0.14; 0.25]. The source of water was identified as the most import variable affecting the frequency of Salmonella, estimated as 0.31 and 0.17% for surface and groundwater, respectively. There was a higher frequency of Salmonella in countries with lower human development index (HDI). Small volume samples of surface water resulted in lower detectable Salmonella frequencies both in high and low HDI regions. Relative frequencies of the 148 serovars were significantly affected only by HDI and volume. Considering that serovars representation can also be affected by water sample volume, efforts toward the standardization of water samplings for monitoring purposes should be considered. Further approaches such as metagenomics could provide more comprehensive insights about the microbial ecology of fresh water and its importance for the quality and safety of agricultural products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Douglas de Lima Rocha
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Laboratório de Avaliação de Produtos de Origem Animal (LAPOA), Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), Areia, Brazil
| | - Rafaela Gomes Ferrari
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Laboratório de Avaliação de Produtos de Origem Animal (LAPOA), Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), Areia, Brazil
| | - Walter Esfrain Pereira
- Departamento de Ciências Fundamentais e Sociais, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), Areia, Brazil
| | - Laiorayne Araújo de Lima
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Laboratório de Avaliação de Produtos de Origem Animal (LAPOA), Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), Areia, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Emília Naves Givisiez
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Laboratório de Avaliação de Produtos de Origem Animal (LAPOA), Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), Areia, Brazil
| | - Andrea Isabel Moreno-Switt
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestla, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Magaly Toro
- Laboratorio de Microbiologia y Probioticos, Instituto de Nutricion y Tecnologia de los Alimentos, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Jianghong Meng
- Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (JIFSAN), University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Celso José Bruno de Oliveira
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Laboratório de Avaliação de Produtos de Origem Animal (LAPOA), Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), Areia, Brazil
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Zhang G, Chen J, Li W. Conjugative antibiotic-resistant plasmids promote bacterial colonization of microplastics in water environments. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 430:128443. [PMID: 35152101 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Both microplastic and bacterial antibiotic resistance have attracted attention worldwide. When microplastics coexist with antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB), which carry antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), ARB colonize the surface of microplastics, and a unique biofilm is formed. The ARB and ARGs in biofilms are denser and more difficult to remove. However, studies on the factors influencing the formation of microplastic biofilms are limited. In this study, plasmid RP4, which appeared in wastewater treatment plants, was found to be able to promote irreversible bacterial colonization of microplastics, and the hypothetical reason was conjugative pili expression. Then, the potential conjugative pili synthesis promoter "nanoalumina" and inhibitor "free nitrous acid" (FNA) were selected to test this hypothesis. Simultaneously, nanoalumina promoted and FNA inhibited bacterial colonization when RP4 existed. Combined with the gene expression and ATP analysis results, this hypothesis was confirmed, and the mechanism of RP4 on bacterial colonization was related mainly to conjugative pili protein synthesis and intracellular ATP. In this study, the effects of plasmid RP4, nanoalumina, and FNA on the formation of microplastic biofilms were reported, which has a certain reference value for other researchers exploring microplastic biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guosheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 200092 Shanghai, China
| | - Jiping Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 200092 Shanghai, China
| | - Weiying Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 200092 Shanghai, China.
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Wiesner-Friedman C, Beattie RE, Stewart JR, Hristova KR, Serre ML. Characterizing Differences in Sources of and Contributions to Fecal Contamination of Sediment and Surface Water with the Microbial FIT Framework. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:4231-4240. [PMID: 35298143 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c00224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Surface water monitoring and microbial source tracking (MST) are used to identify host sources of fecal pollution and protect public health. However, knowledge of the locations of spatial sources and their relative impacts on the environment is needed to effectively mitigate health risks. Additionally, sediment samples may offer time-integrated information compared to transient surface water. Thus, we implemented the newly developed microbial find, inform, and test framework to identify spatial sources and their impacts on human (HuBac) and bovine (BoBac) MST markers, quantified from both riverbed sediment and surface water in a bovine-dense region. Dairy feeding operations and low-intensity developed land-cover were associated with 99% (p-value < 0.05) and 108% (p-value < 0.05) increases, respectively, in the relative abundance of BoBac in sediment, and with 79% (p-value < 0.05) and 39% increases in surface water. Septic systems were associated with a 48% increase in the relative abundance of HuBac in sediment and a 56% increase in surface water. Stronger source signals were observed for sediment responses compared to water. By defining source locations, predicting river impacts, and estimating source influence ranges in a Great Lakes region, this work informs pollution mitigation strategies of local and global significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinne Wiesner-Friedman
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7400, United States
| | - Rachelle E Beattie
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53233, United States
| | - Jill R Stewart
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7400, United States
| | - Krassimira R Hristova
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53233, United States
| | - Marc L Serre
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7400, United States
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Kaze M, Brooks L, Sistrom M. Genomic Sequence Analysis of Methicillin- and Carbapenem-Resistant Bacteria Isolated from Raw Sewage. Microbiol Spectr 2021; 9:e0012821. [PMID: 34132566 PMCID: PMC8552737 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00128-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is one of the largest threats facing global health. Wastewater treatment plants are well-known hot spots for interaction between diverse bacteria, genetic exchange, and antibiotic resistance. Nonpathogenic bacteria theoretically act as reservoirs of antibiotic resistance subsequently transferring antibiotic resistance genes to pathogens, indicating that evolutionary processes occur outside clinical settings and may drive patterns of drug-resistant infections. We isolated and sequenced 100 bacterial strains from five wastewater treatment plants to analyze regional dynamics of antibiotic resistance in the California Central Valley. The results demonstrate the presence of a wide diversity of pathogenic and nonpathogenic bacteria, with an arithmetic mean of 5.1 resistance genes per isolate. Forty-three percent of resistance genes were located on plasmids, suggesting that large levels of gene transfer between bacteria that otherwise may not co-occur are facilitated by wastewater treatment. One of the strains detected was a Bacillus carrying pX01 and pX02 anthrax-like plasmids and multiple drug resistance genes. A correlation between resistance genes and taxonomy indicates that taxon-specific evolutionary studies may be useful in determining and predicting patterns of antibiotic resistance. Conversely, a lack of geographic correlation may indicate that landscape genetic studies to understand the spread of antibiotic resistance genes should be carried out at broader scales. This large data set provides insights into how pathogenic and nonpathogenic bacteria interact in wastewater environments and the resistance genes which may be horizontally transferred between them. This can help in determining the mechanisms leading to the increasing prevalence of drug-resistant infections observed in clinical settings. IMPORTANCE The reasons for the increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant infections are complex and associated with myriad clinical and environmental processes. Wastewater treatment plants operate as nexuses of bacterial interaction and are known hot spots for genetic exchange between bacteria, including antibiotic resistance genes. We isolated and sequenced 100 drug-resistant bacteria from five wastewater treatment plants in California's Central Valley, characterizing widespread gene sharing between pathogens and nonpathogens. We identified a novel, multiresistant Bacillus carrying anthrax-like plasmids. This empirical study supports the likelihood of evolutionary and population processes in the broader environment affecting the prevalence of clinical drug-resistant infections and identifies several taxa that may operate as reservoirs and vectors of antibiotic resistance genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mo Kaze
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of California, Merced, California, USA
| | | | - Mark Sistrom
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of California, Merced, California, USA
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13
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Wiesner-Friedman C, Beattie RE, Stewart JR, Hristova KR, Serre ML. Microbial Find, Inform, and Test Model for Identifying Spatially Distributed Contamination Sources: Framework Foundation and Demonstration of Ruminant Bacteroides Abundance in River Sediments. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:10451-10461. [PMID: 34291905 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c01602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Microbial pollution in rivers poses known ecological and health risks, yet causal and mechanistic linkages to sources remain difficult to establish. Host-associated microbial source tracking (MST) markers help to assess the microbial risks by linking hosts to contamination but do not identify the source locations. Land-use regression (LUR) models have been used to screen the source locations using spatial predictors but could be improved by characterizing transport (i.e., hauling, decay overland, and downstream). We introduce the microbial Find, Inform, and Test (FIT) framework, which expands previous LUR approaches and develops novel spatial predictor models to characterize the transported contributions. We applied FIT to characterize the sources of BoBac, a ruminant Bacteroides MST marker, quantified in riverbed sediment samples from Kewaunee County, Wisconsin. A 1 standard deviation increase in contributions from land-applied manure hauled from animal feeding operations (AFOs) was associated with a 77% (p-value <0.05) increase in the relative abundance of ruminant Bacteroides (BoBac-copies-per-16S-rRNA-copies) in the sediment. This is the first work finding an association between the upstream land-applied manure and the offsite bovine-associated fecal markers. These findings have implications for the sediment as a reservoir for microbial pollution associated with AFOs (e.g., pathogens and antibiotic-resistant bacteria). This framework and application advance statistical analysis in MST and water quality modeling more broadly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinne Wiesner-Friedman
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7400, United States
| | - Rachelle E Beattie
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53233, United States
| | - Jill R Stewart
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7400, United States
| | - Krassimira R Hristova
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53233, United States
| | - Marc L Serre
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7400, United States
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14
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Borchardt MA, Stokdyk JP, Kieke BA, Muldoon MA, Spencer SK, Firnstahl AD, Bonness DE, Hunt RJ, Burch TR. Sources and Risk Factors for Nitrate and Microbial Contamination of Private Household Wells in the Fractured Dolomite Aquifer of Northeastern Wisconsin. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2021; 129:67004. [PMID: 34160249 PMCID: PMC8221036 DOI: 10.1289/ehp7813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Groundwater quality in the Silurian dolomite aquifer in northeastern Wisconsin, USA, has become contentious as dairy farms and exurban development expand. OBJECTIVES We investigated private household wells in the region, determining the extent, sources, and risk factors of nitrate and microbial contamination. METHODS Total coliforms, Escherichia coli, and nitrate were evaluated by synoptic sampling during groundwater recharge and no-recharge periods. Additional seasonal sampling measured genetic markers of human and bovine fecal-associated microbes and enteric zoonotic pathogens. We constructed multivariable regression models of detection probability (log-binomial) and concentration (gamma) for each contaminant to identify risk factors related to land use, precipitation, hydrogeology, and well construction. RESULTS Total coliforms and nitrate were strongly associated with depth-to-bedrock at well sites and nearby agricultural land use, but not septic systems. Both human wastewater and cattle manure contributed to well contamination. Rotavirus group A, Cryptosporidium, and Salmonella were the most frequently detected pathogens. Wells positive for human fecal markers were associated with depth-to-groundwater and number of septic system drainfield within 229m. Manure-contaminated wells were associated with groundwater recharge and the area size of nearby agricultural land. Wells positive for any fecal-associated microbe, regardless of source, were associated with septic system density and manure storage proximity modified by bedrock depth. Well construction was generally not related to contamination, indicating land use, groundwater recharge, and bedrock depth were the most important risk factors. DISCUSSION These findings may inform policies to minimize contamination of the Silurian dolomite aquifer, a major water supply for the U.S. and Canadian Great Lakes region. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP7813.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A. Borchardt
- Environmentally Integrated Dairy Management Research Unit, U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture–Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Marshfield, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Joel P. Stokdyk
- Upper Midwest Water Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Marshfield, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Burney A. Kieke
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Population Health, Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, Marshfield, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Maureen A. Muldoon
- Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Susan K. Spencer
- Environmentally Integrated Dairy Management Research Unit, U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture–Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Marshfield, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Aaron D. Firnstahl
- Upper Midwest Water Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Marshfield, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Davina E. Bonness
- Kewaunee County Department of Land and Water Conservation, Luxemburg, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Randall J. Hunt
- Upper Midwest Water Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Middleton, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Tucker R. Burch
- Environmentally Integrated Dairy Management Research Unit, U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture–Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Marshfield, Wisconsin, USA
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Kotwani A, Joshi J, Kaloni D. Pharmaceutical effluent: a critical link in the interconnected ecosystem promoting antimicrobial resistance. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:10.1007/s11356-021-14178-w. [PMID: 33929671 PMCID: PMC8086231 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14178-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a complex global health issue and will push twenty-four million people into extreme poverty by 2030, risking the sustainable development goals (SDGs) 2, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 17 if not addressed immediately. Humans, animals, and the environment are the reservoirs that contribute and allow AMR to propagate in interconnected ecosystems. The emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic-resistant genes in the water environment has become an important environmental health issue. One of the major influencers from environment sector is the pharmaceutical industry which is growing globally to meet the ever-increasing demand of antibiotics, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The pharmaceutical effluent has a mix of large concentrations of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes, and these sites act as hotspots for environmental contamination and the spread of AMR. Inadequate treatment of the effluent and its irresponsible disposal leads to unprecedented antibiotic contamination in the environment and their persistent presence in the environment significantly modulates the bacterial genomes' expression that is responsible for increase and spread of AMR. However, not much interventions are suggested in the National Action Plan developed on AMR by many countries. There are no regulations across the globe till date for the level of antibiotic residues in pharmaceutical effluent for the growing pharmaceutical industry. This review put together the work done showing several detrimental effects of the antimicrobial residues in the pharmaceutical effluent which leads to rise in development of AMR. The environment risk approach and need to have indicators to measure environment risk is a way forward for all countries engage in antibiotic manufacturing. Overall, efforts to address the problem are isolated and fragmented. Policymakers, regulators, manufacturers, researchers, civil society, and the community need to collaborate so that antibiotics are produced sustainably and continue to stay effective in treating bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Kotwani
- Department of Pharmacology, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute (VPCI), University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India.
| | - Jyoti Joshi
- Amity Institute of Public Health, Amity University, & Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics and Policy (CDDEP), New Delhi, India
| | - Deeksha Kaloni
- Department of Pharmacology, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute (VPCI), University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Approximately 12% of the population in the US and Canada rely on federally unregulated private wells, which are common in rural areas and may be susceptible to microbiological and chemical contamination. This review identifies and summarizes recent findings on contaminants of emerging concern in well water across the US and Canada. RECENT FINDINGS Private well water quality modeling is complicated by the substantial variability in contamination sources, well construction, well depth, and the hydrogeology of the environment surrounding the well. Temporal variation in contaminant levels in wells suggests the need for monitoring efforts with greater spatial and temporal coverage. More extensive private well monitoring will help identify wells at greater risk of contamination, and in turn, public health efforts can focus on education and outreach to improve monitoring, maintaining, and treating private wells in these communities. Community interventions need to be coupled with stricter regulations and financing mechanisms that can support and protect private well owners.
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17
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Wang Q, Xu Y, Liu L, Li LY, Lin H, Wu XY, Bi WJ, Wang LT, Mao DQ, Luo Y. The prevalence of ampicillin-resistant opportunistic pathogenic bacteria undergoing selective stress of heavy metal pollutants in the Xiangjiang River, China. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 268:115362. [PMID: 33035873 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of clinically relevant β-lactam-resistant bacteria poses a serious threat to human health and presents a major challenge for medical treatment. How opportunistic pathogenic bacteria acquire antibiotic resistance and the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant opportunistic pathogenic bacteria in the environment are still unclear. In this study, we further confirmed that the selective pressure of heavy metals contributes to the increase in ampicillin-resistant opportunistic pathogens in the Xiangjiang River. Four ampicillin-resistant opportunistic pathogenic bacteria (Pseudomonas monteilii, Aeromonas hydrophila, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Staphylococcus epidermidis) were isolated on Luria-Bertani (LB) agar plates and identified by 16S rRNA sequencing. The abundance of these opportunistic pathogenic bacteria significantly increased in the sites downstream of the Xiangjiang River that were heavily influenced by metal mining activities. A microcosm experiment showed that the abundance of β-lactam resistance genes carried by opportunistic pathogenic bacteria in the heavy metal (Cu2+ and Zn2+) treatment group was 2-10 times higher than that in the control. Moreover, heavy metals (Cu2+ and Zn2+) significantly increased the horizontal transfer of plasmids in pathogenic bacteria. Of particular interest is that heavy metals facilitated the horizontal transfer of conjugative plasmids, which may lead to the prevalence of multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria in the Xiangjiang River.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Wang
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China; College of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Hebei Key Laboratory of Air Pollution Cause and Impact (preparatory), Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, 056038, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture, Tianjin, 300191, China
| | - Lei Liu
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Lin-Yun Li
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Huai Lin
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Xin-Yan Wu
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China; School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Wen-Jing Bi
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China; School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Li-Tao Wang
- College of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Hebei Key Laboratory of Air Pollution Cause and Impact (preparatory), Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, 056038, China
| | - Da-Qing Mao
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Yi Luo
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China.
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Chique C, Hynds P, Burke LP, Morris D, Ryan MP, O'Dwyer J. Contamination of domestic groundwater systems by verotoxigenic escherichia coli (VTEC), 2003-2019: A global scoping review. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 188:116496. [PMID: 33059158 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Verocytotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC) are important agents of diarrhoeal disease in humans globally. As a noted waterborne disease, emphasis has been given to the study VTEC in surface waters, readily susceptible to microbial contamination. Conversely, the status of VTEC in potable groundwater sources, generally regarded as a "safe" drinking-water supply remains largely understudied. As such, this investigation presents the first scoping review seeking to determine the global prevalence of VTEC in groundwater supply sources intended for human consumption. Twenty-three peer-reviewed studies were identified and included for data extraction. Groundwater sample and supply detection rates (estimated 0.6 and 1.3%, respectively) indicate VTEC is infrequently present in domestic groundwater sources. However, where generic (fecal indicator) E. coli are present, the VTEC to E. coli ratio was found to be 9.9%, representing a latent health concern for groundwater consumers. Geographically, extracted data indicates higher VTEC detection rates in urban (5.4%) and peri‑urban (4.9%) environments than in rural areas (0.9%); however, this finding is confounded by the predominance of research studies in lower income regions. Climate trends indicate local environments classified as 'temperate' (14/554; 2.5%) and 'cold' (8/392; 2%) accounted for a majority of supply sources with VTEC present, with similar detection rates encountered among supplies sampled during periods typically characterized by 'high' precipitation (15/649; 2.3%). Proposed prevalence figures may find application in preventive risk-based catchment and groundwater quality management including development of Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessments (QMRA). Notwithstanding, to an extent, a large geographical disparity in available investigations, lack of standardized reporting, and bias in source selection, restrict the transferability of research findings. Overall, the mechanisms responsible for VTEC transport and ingress into groundwater supplies remain ambiguous, representing a critical knowledge gap, and denoting a distinctive lack of integration between hydrogeological and public health research. Key recommendations and guidelines are provided for prospective studies directed at increasingly integrative and multi-disciplinary research.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Chique
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Science (BEES), University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - P Hynds
- Irish Centre for Research in Applied Geosciences, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Environmental Sustainability and Health Institute (ESHI), Technological University Dublin.
| | - L P Burke
- Antimicrobial Resistance and Microbial Ecology Group, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland; Centre for One Health, Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - D Morris
- Antimicrobial Resistance and Microbial Ecology Group, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland; Centre for One Health, Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - M P Ryan
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - J O'Dwyer
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Science (BEES), University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Irish Centre for Research in Applied Geosciences, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
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19
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Deb P, Das T, Nath C, Ahad A, Chakraborty P. Isolation of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus spp., and Streptococcus spp. from dogs in Chattogram Metropolitan Area, Bangladesh. J Adv Vet Anim Res 2020; 7:669-677. [PMID: 33409311 PMCID: PMC7774779 DOI: 10.5455/javar.2020.g466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Antibacterial resistance is a great concern in human and food animal medicine, and it poses a significant concern in pet animals like dogs. This cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the antimicrobial resistance pattern of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus spp., and Streptococcus spp. along with the carryover of some resistance genes in E. coli from dogs in the Chattogram metropolitan area, Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: Rectal swab (n = 50), nasal swab (n = 50), and skin swab (n = 50) samples were collected from dogs having respiratory infections, skin infections, and/or enteritis, respectively. Three types of bacteria were identified and isolated by conventional bacteriological techniques and biochemical tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out against 12 antimicrobials by disk diffusion methods. Six resistance genes, namely blaTEM, blaCTX-M, tetA, tetB, Sul-I, and Sul-II, were screened for phenotypically resistant E. coli isolates by the polymerase chain reaction. Results: A total of 39 (78%) E. coli, 25 (50%) Staphylococcus spp., and 24 (48%) Streptococcus spp. isolates were isolated from the rectal swab, nasal swab, and skin swab samples, respectively. In the cultural sensitivity test, the E. coli isolates showed resistance to ceftriaxone (79%) and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (64%). Doxycycline (80%) demonstrated the highest resistance among Staphylococcus isolates, followed by sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (60%). Streptococcus isolates showed the highest resistance to penicillin (63%), followed by ceftriaxone (54%), while no isolate showed resistance to gentamycin. The prevalence of blaTEM, blaCTX-M, tetA, tetB, Sul-I, and Sul-II genes in phenotypically resistant E. coli isolates were 100%, 61.29%, 100%, 8.33%, 56%, and 72%, respectively. Conclusions: Spillover of such multidrug-resistant bacteria and resistance genes from pet dogs pose a serious public health risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Probir Deb
- Department of Microbiology and Veterinary Public Health, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram, Bangladesh.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Tridip Das
- Department of Microbiology and Veterinary Public Health, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram, Bangladesh.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Chandan Nath
- Department of Microbiology and Veterinary Public Health, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Abdul Ahad
- Department of Microbiology and Veterinary Public Health, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Pankaj Chakraborty
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram, Bangladesh
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20
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Zhang G, Li W, Chen S, Zhou W, Chen J. Problems of conventional disinfection and new sterilization methods for antibiotic resistance control. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 254:126831. [PMID: 32957272 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The problem of bacterial antibiotic resistance has attracted considerable research attention, and the effects of water treatment on antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are being increasingly investigated. As an indispensable part of the water treatment process, disinfection plays an important role in controlling antibiotic resistance. At present, there were many studies on the effects of conventional and new sterilization methods on ARB and ARGs. However, there is a lack of literature relating to the limitations of conventional methods and analysis of new techniques. Therefore, this review focuses on analyzing the deficiencies of conventional disinfection and the development of new methods for antibiotic resistance control to guide future research. Firstly, we analyzed the effects and drawbacks of conventional disinfection methods, such as chlorine (Cl), ultraviolet (UV) and ozone on antibiotic resistance control. Secondly, we discuss the research progress and shortcomings of new sterilization methods in antibiotic resistance. Finally, we propose suggestions for future research directions. There is an urgent need for new effective and low-cost sterilization methods. Disinfection via UV and chlorine in combination, UV/chlorine showed greater potential for controlling ARGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guosheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 200092, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiying Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 200092, Shanghai, China.
| | - Sheng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 200092, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 200092, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiping Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 200092, Shanghai, China
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Oliver JP, Gooch CA, Lansing S, Schueler J, Hurst JJ, Sassoubre L, Crossette EM, Aga DS. Invited review: Fate of antibiotic residues, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and antibiotic resistance genes in US dairy manure management systems. J Dairy Sci 2020; 103:1051-1071. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2019-16778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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Guo MT, Tian XB. Impacts on antibiotic-resistant bacteria and their horizontal gene transfer by graphene-based TiO 2&Ag composite photocatalysts under solar irradiation. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2019; 380:120877. [PMID: 31330386 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.120877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, photocatalysis has been considered as a promising method, which provides measures to environmental pollution. Antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and their antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), as the emerging environmental pollutants, are released into the environment, resulting in antibiotic resistance spread. TiO2-based nanocomposites, as the most common photocatalytic material, may influence ARB and ARGs under photocatalytic conditions. However, the research on this aspect is rare. A novel nanocomposite synthesized from Ag, TiO2 and graphene oxide (GO), was selected as a representative of nanomaterials for investigation. The experimental results indicated that TiO2/Ag/GO nanocomposites significantly affected ARB vitality. 100 mg/L TiO2/Ag/GO will reduce bacterial survival to 12.2% in 10 min under simulated sunlight irradiation. Chloramphenicol as the most representative antibiotic in the water, reduces the effect of ARB inactivation under photocatalytic conditions. The addition of TiO2/Ag/GO could affect tetracycline antibiotic resistance. The level of bacterial tolerance to tetracycline had a significant reduction. The horizontal gene transfer was promoted from 1 to 2 folds with the addition of TiO2/Ag/GO. Even high TiO2/Ag/GO concentration (100 mg/L) sample had a limited promotion, suggesting that TiO2/Ag/GO will not increase the risk of antibiotic resistance spread compared to other nano materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Ting Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 200092, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xiao-Bo Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 200092, Shanghai, China
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In Vitro Antimicrobial Activities of Organic Acids and Their Derivatives on Several Species of Gram-Negative and Gram-Positive Bacteria. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24203770. [PMID: 31635062 PMCID: PMC6832434 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24203770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the in vitro antimicrobial activity of several organic acids and their derivatives against Gram-positive (G+) and Gram-negative (G-) bacteria. Butyric acid, valeric acid, monopropionin, monobutyrin, monovalerin, monolaurin, sodium formate, and ProPhorce-a mixture of sodium formate and formic acid (40:60 w/v)-were tested at 8 to 16 concentrations from 10 to 50,000 mg/L. The tested bacteria included G- bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica Typhimurium, and Campylobacter jejuni) and G+ bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis, Clostridium perfringens, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Streptococcus suis). Antimicrobial activity was expressed as minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of tested compounds that prevented growth of tested bacteria in treated culture broth. The MICs of butyric acid, valeric acid, and ProPhorce varied among bacterial strains with the lowest MIC of 500-1000 mg/L on two strains of Campylobacter. Sodium formate at highest tested concentrations (20,000 mg/L) did not inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Enterococcus faecalis, but sodium formate inhibited the growth of other tested bacteria with MIC values from 2000 to 18,800 mg/L. The MIC values of monovalerin, monolaurin, and monobutyrin ranged from 2500 to 15,000 mg/L in the majority of bacterial strains. Monopropionin did not inhibit the growth of all tested bacteria, with the exception that the MIC of monopropionin was 11,300 mg/L on Clostridia perfringens. Monolaurin strongly inhibited G+ bacteria, with the MIC value of 10 mg/L against Streptococcus pneumoniae. The MIC tests indicated that organic acids and their derivatives exhibit promising antimicrobial effects in vitro against G- and G+ bacteria that are resistant to antimicrobial drugs. The acid forms had stronger in vitro antimicrobial activities than ester forms, except that the medium chain fatty acid ester monolaurin exhibited strong inhibitory effects on G+ bacteria.
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Schultz AA, Peppard P, Gangnon RE, Malecki KMC. Residential proximity to concentrated animal feeding operations and allergic and respiratory disease. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 130:104911. [PMID: 31238264 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.104911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Air emissions from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO) have been associated with respiratory and allergic symptoms among farm workers, primarily on swine farms. Despite the increasing prevalence of CAFOs, few studies have assessed respiratory health implications among residents living near CAFOs and few have looked at the health impacts of dairy CAFOs. OBJECTIVES The goal of this study was to examine objective and subjective measures of respiratory and allergic health among rural residents living near dairy CAFOs in a general population living in the Upper Midwest of the United States. METHODS Data were from the 2008-2016 Survey of the Health of Wisconsin (SHOW) cohort (n = 5338), a representative, population based sample of rural adults (age 18+). The association between distance to the nearest CAFO and the prevalence of self-reported physician-diagnosed allergies, asthma, episodes of asthma in the last 12 months, and asthma medication use was examined using logistic regression, adjusting for covariates and sampling design. Similarly, the association between distance to the nearest CAFO and lung function, measured using spirometry, was examined using multivariate linear regression. Restricted cubic splines accounted for nonlinear relationships between distance to the nearest CAFO and the aforementioned outcomes. RESULTS Living 1.5 miles from a CAFO was associated with increased odds of self-reported nasal allergies (OR = 2.08; 95% CI: 1.38, 3.14), lung allergies (OR = 2.72; 95% CI: 1.59, 4.66), asthma (OR = 2.67; 95% CI: 1.39, 5.13), asthma medication (OR = 3.31; 95% CI: 1.65 6.62), and uncontrolled asthma, reported as an asthma episode in last 12 months (OR = 2.34; 95% CI: 1.11, 4.92) when compared to living 5 miles from a CAFO. Predicted FEV1 was 7.72% (95% CI: -14.63, -0.81) lower at a residential distance 1.5 miles from a CAFO when compared with a residence distance of 3 miles from a CAFO. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest CAFOs may be an important source of adverse air quality associated with reduced respiratory and allergic health among rural residents living in close proximity to a CAFO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy A Schultz
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States of America
| | - Paul Peppard
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States of America
| | - Ron E Gangnon
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States of America; Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, WI, United States of America
| | - Kristen M C Malecki
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States of America.
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Voisin J, Cournoyer B, Vienney A, Mermillod-Blondin F. Aquifer recharge with stormwater runoff in urban areas: Influence of vadose zone thickness on nutrient and bacterial transfers from the surface of infiltration basins to groundwater. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 637-638:1496-1507. [PMID: 29801243 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.05.094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Revised: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Stormwater infiltration systems (SIS) have been built in urban areas to reduce the environmental impacts of stormwater runoff. Infiltration basins allow the transfer of stormwater runoff to aquifers but their abilities to retain contaminants depend on vadose zone properties. This study assessed the influence of vadose zone thickness (VZT) on the transfer of inorganic nutrients (PO43-, NO3-, NH4+), dissolved organic carbon (total -DOC- and biodegradable -BDOC-) and bacteria. A field experiment was conducted on three SIS with a thin vadose zone (<3 m) and three SIS with a thick vadose zone (>10 m). Water samples were collected at three times during a rainy period of 10 days in each infiltration basin (stormwater runoff), in the aquifer impacted by infiltration (impacted groundwater) and in the same aquifer but upstream of the infiltration area (non-impacted groundwater). Inorganic nutrients, organic matter, and dissolved oxygen (DO) were measured on all water samples. Bacterial community structures were investigated on water samples through a next-generation sequencing (NGS) scheme of 16S rRNA gene amplicons (V5-V6). The concentrations of DO and phosphate measured in SIS-impacted groundwaters were significantly influenced by VZT due to distinct biogeochemical processes occurring in the vadose zone. DOC and BDOC were efficiently retained in the vadose zone, regardless of its thickness. Bacterial transfers to the aquifer were overall low, but data obtained on day 10 indicated a significant bacterial transfer in SIS with a thin vadose zone. Water transit time and water saturation of the vadose zone were found important parameters for bacterial transfers. Most bacterial taxa (>60%) from impacted groundwaters were not detected in stormwater runoff and in non-impacted groundwaters, indicating that groundwater bacterial communities were significantly modified by processes associated with infiltration (remobilization of bacteria from vadose zone and/or species sorting).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérémy Voisin
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR5023, Laboratoire d'Ecologie des Hydrosystèmes Naturels et Anthropisés (LEHNA), Villeurbanne F-69622, France; Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, VetAgro Sup, UMR5557, UMR INRA 1418, Laboratoire d'Ecologie Microbienne (LEM), Research Team "Bacterial Opportunistic Pathogens and Environment", Marcy L'Etoile F-69280, France
| | - Benoit Cournoyer
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, VetAgro Sup, UMR5557, UMR INRA 1418, Laboratoire d'Ecologie Microbienne (LEM), Research Team "Bacterial Opportunistic Pathogens and Environment", Marcy L'Etoile F-69280, France
| | - Antonin Vienney
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR5023, Laboratoire d'Ecologie des Hydrosystèmes Naturels et Anthropisés (LEHNA), Villeurbanne F-69622, France
| | - Florian Mermillod-Blondin
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR5023, Laboratoire d'Ecologie des Hydrosystèmes Naturels et Anthropisés (LEHNA), Villeurbanne F-69622, France.
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Murray RT, Rosenberg Goldstein RE, Maring EF, Pee DG, Aspinwall K, Wilson SM, Sapkota AR. Prevalence of Microbiological and Chemical Contaminants in Private Drinking Water Wells in Maryland, USA. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:ijerph15081686. [PMID: 30087312 PMCID: PMC6121425 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15081686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2018] [Revised: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Although many U.S. homes rely on private wells, few studies have investigated the quality of these water sources. This cross-sectional study evaluated private well water quality in Maryland, and explored possible environmental sources that could impact water quality. Well water samples (n = 118) were collected in four Maryland counties and were analyzed for microbiological and chemical contaminants. Data from the U.S. Census of Agriculture were used to evaluate associations between the presence of animal feeding operations and well water quality at the zip code level using logistic regression. Overall, 43.2% of tested wells did not meet at least one federal health-based drinking water standard. Total coliforms, fecal coliforms, enterococci, and Escherichia coli were detected in 25.4%, 15.3%, 5.1%, and 3.4% of tested wells, respectively. Approximately 26%, 3.4%, and <1% of wells did not meet standards for pH, nitrate-N, and total dissolved solids, respectively. There were no statistically significant associations between the presence of cattle, dairy, broiler, turkey, or aquaculture operations and the detection of fecal indicator bacteria in tested wells. In conclusion, nearly half of tested wells did not meet federal health-based drinking water standards, and additional research is needed to evaluate factors that impact well water quality. However, homeowner education on well water testing and well maintenance could be important for public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rianna T Murray
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, University of Maryland School of Public Health, 4200 Valley Drive, College Park, MD 20742, USA.
| | - Rachel E Rosenberg Goldstein
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, University of Maryland School of Public Health, 4200 Valley Drive, College Park, MD 20742, USA.
- Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics, College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Maryland, 2200 Symons Hall, 7998 Regents Drive, College Park, MD 20742, USA.
| | - Elisabeth F Maring
- Department of Family Science, University of Maryland School of Public Health, 4200 Valley Drive, College Park, MD 20742, USA.
| | - Daphne G Pee
- University of Maryland Extension, University of Maryland, 2200 Symons Hall, 7998 Regents Drive , College Park, MD 20742, USA.
| | - Karen Aspinwall
- University of Maryland Extension, University of Maryland, 2200 Symons Hall, 7998 Regents Drive , College Park, MD 20742, USA.
| | - Sacoby M Wilson
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, University of Maryland School of Public Health, 4200 Valley Drive, College Park, MD 20742, USA.
| | - Amy R Sapkota
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, University of Maryland School of Public Health, 4200 Valley Drive, College Park, MD 20742, USA.
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Szekeres E, Chiriac CM, Baricz A, Szőke-Nagy T, Lung I, Soran ML, Rudi K, Dragos N, Coman C. Investigating antibiotics, antibiotic resistance genes, and microbial contaminants in groundwater in relation to the proximity of urban areas. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 236:734-744. [PMID: 29454283 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.01.107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Revised: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Groundwater is an essential public and drinking water supply and its protection is a goal for global policies. Here, we investigated the presence and prevalence of antibiotic residues, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), mobile genetic elements (MGEs), and microbial contamination in groundwater environments at various distances from urban areas. Antibiotic concentrations ranged from below detection limit to 917 ng/L, being trimethoprim, macrolide, and sulfonamide the most abundant antibiotic classes. A total of eleven ARGs (aminoglycoside, β-lactam, chloramphenicol, Macrolide-Lincosamide-Streptogramin B - MLSB, sulfonamide, and tetracycline), one antiseptic resistance gene, and two MGEs were detected by qPCR with relative abundances ranging from 6.61 × 10-7 to 2.30 × 10-1 copies/16S rRNA gene copies. ARGs and MGEs were widespread in the investigated groundwater environments, with increased abundances not only in urban, but also in remote areas. Distinct bacterial community profiles were observed, with a higher prevalence of Betaproteobacteria and Bacteroidetes in the less-impacted areas, and that of Firmicutes in the contaminated groundwater. The combined characteristics of increased species diversity, distinct phylogenetic composition, and the possible presence of fecal and/or pathogenic bacteria could indicate different types of contamination. Significant correlations between ARGs, MGEs and specific taxa within the groundwater bacterial community were identified, revealing the potential hosts of resistance types. Although no universal marker gene could be determined, a co-selection of int1, qacEΔ1 and sulI genes, a proxy group for anthropogenic pollution, with the tetC, tetO, tetW resistance genes was identified. As the tet group was observed to follow the pattern of environmental contamination for the groundwater samples investigated in this study, our results strongly support the proposal of this group of genes as an environmental tracer of human impact. Overall, the present study investigated several emerging contaminants in groundwater habitats that may be included in monitoring programs to enable further regulatory and protection measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edina Szekeres
- NIRDBS, Institute of Biological Research, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Department, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Cecilia Maria Chiriac
- NIRDBS, Institute of Biological Research, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Department, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Andreea Baricz
- NIRDBS, Institute of Biological Research, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Tiberiu Szőke-Nagy
- National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ildiko Lung
- National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Maria-Loredana Soran
- National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Knut Rudi
- Department of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Nicolae Dragos
- NIRDBS, Institute of Biological Research, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Department, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Cristian Coman
- NIRDBS, Institute of Biological Research, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
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Manyi-Loh C, Mamphweli S, Meyer E, Okoh A. Antibiotic Use in Agriculture and Its Consequential Resistance in Environmental Sources: Potential Public Health Implications. Molecules 2018; 23:E795. [PMID: 29601469 PMCID: PMC6017557 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23040795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 567] [Impact Index Per Article: 94.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Revised: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to the increased demand of animal protein in developing countries, intensive farming is instigated, which results in antibiotic residues in animal-derived products, and eventually, antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance is of great public health concern because the antibiotic-resistant bacteria associated with the animals may be pathogenic to humans, easily transmitted to humans via food chains, and widely disseminated in the environment via animal wastes. These may cause complicated, untreatable, and prolonged infections in humans, leading to higher healthcare cost and sometimes death. In the said countries, antibiotic resistance is so complex and difficult, due to irrational use of antibiotics both in the clinical and agriculture settings, low socioeconomic status, poor sanitation and hygienic status, as well as that zoonotic bacterial pathogens are not regularly cultured, and their resistance to commonly used antibiotics are scarcely investigated (poor surveillance systems). The challenges that follow are of local, national, regional, and international dimensions, as there are no geographic boundaries to impede the spread of antibiotic resistance. In addition, the information assembled in this study through a thorough review of published findings, emphasized the presence of antibiotics in animal-derived products and the phenomenon of multidrug resistance in environmental samples. This therefore calls for strengthening of regulations that direct antibiotic manufacture, distribution, dispensing, and prescription, hence fostering antibiotic stewardship. Joint collaboration across the world with international bodies is needed to assist the developing countries to implement good surveillance of antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christy Manyi-Loh
- Fort Hare Institute of Technology, University of Fort Hare, Alice Campus, Alice 5700, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
- Applied and Environmental Microbiology Research Group (AEMREG), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Fort Hare, Alice Campus, Alice 5700, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
- SAMRC Microbial Water Quality Monitoring Centre, University of Fort Hare, Alice Campus, Alice 5700, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
| | - Sampson Mamphweli
- Fort Hare Institute of Technology, University of Fort Hare, Alice Campus, Alice 5700, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
| | - Edson Meyer
- Fort Hare Institute of Technology, University of Fort Hare, Alice Campus, Alice 5700, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
| | - Anthony Okoh
- Applied and Environmental Microbiology Research Group (AEMREG), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Fort Hare, Alice Campus, Alice 5700, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
- SAMRC Microbial Water Quality Monitoring Centre, University of Fort Hare, Alice Campus, Alice 5700, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
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Bueno I, Williams-Nguyen J, Hwang H, Sargeant JM, Nault AJ, Singer RS. Systematic Review: Impact of point sources on antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the natural environment. Zoonoses Public Health 2018; 65:e162-e184. [PMID: 29205899 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Point sources such as wastewater treatment plants and agricultural facilities may have a role in the dissemination of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARG). To analyse the evidence for increases in ARB in the natural environment associated with these point sources of ARB and ARG, we conducted a systematic review. We evaluated 5,247 records retrieved through database searches, including both studies that ascertained ARG and ARB outcomes. All studies were subjected to a screening process to assess relevance to the question and methodology to address our review question. A risk of bias assessment was conducted upon the final pool of studies included in the review. This article summarizes the evidence only for those studies with ARB outcomes (n = 47). Thirty-five studies were at high (n = 11) or at unclear (n = 24) risk of bias in the estimation of source effects due to lack of information and/or failure to control for confounders. Statistical analysis was used in ten studies, of which one assessed the effect of multiple sources using modelling approaches; none reported effect measures. Most studies reported higher ARB prevalence or concentration downstream/near the source. However, this evidence was primarily descriptive and it could not be concluded that there is a clear impact of point sources on increases in ARB in the environment. To quantify increases in ARB in the environment due to specific point sources, there is a need for studies that stress study design, control of biases and analytical tools to provide effect measure estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Bueno
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA
| | - J Williams-Nguyen
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - H Hwang
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - J M Sargeant
- Department of Population Medicine and Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - A J Nault
- Veterinary Medical Library, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA
| | - R S Singer
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA
- Instituto de Medicina Preventiva Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
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Guo MT, Zhang GS. Graphene oxide in the water environment could affect tetracycline-antibiotic resistance. CHEMOSPHERE 2017; 183:197-203. [PMID: 28549325 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.04.145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Revised: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, the influence of new materials like nanoparticles in the water environment on biological substances has been widely studied. Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) represent a new type of pollutant in the environment. Graphene oxide (GO), as a nano material, because of its unique structure, may have an impact on antibiotic resistance bacteria (ARB) and ARGs; however the research in this area is rarely reported. Therefore, this study mainly investigated the effects of GO on bacterial antibiotic resistance. The results showed that GO had a limited effect on ARB inactivation. A high concentration of GO (>10 mg/L) can damage resistant plasmids to reduce bacterial resistance to antibiotics, but low concentrations of GO (<1 mg/L) led to almost no damage to the plasmid. However, all tested concentrations of GO promoted the conjugative transfer from 1to over 3 folds, with low concentrations and high concentration (1-10 and 100 mg/L) of GO samples the least promoted. The overall effect of GO on antibiotic resistance needs further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Ting Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 200092, Shanghai, China.
| | - Guo-Sheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 200092, Shanghai, China
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31
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Kwon MJ, Yun ST, Ham B, Lee JH, Oh JS, Jheong WW. Impacts of leachates from livestock carcass burial and manure heap sites on groundwater geochemistry and microbial community structure. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0182579. [PMID: 28771598 PMCID: PMC5542392 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigated the impacts of leachates from a swine carcass burial site and a cow manure heap on the geochemical and microbiological properties of agricultural water samples, including leachate, groundwater from monitoring wells and background wells, and stream water. The leachate from the livestock burial site showed extremely high electrical conductivity, turbidity, and major ion concentrations, but low redox potential and dissolved oxygen levels. The groundwater in the monitoring wells adjacent to both sites showed severe contamination from the leachate, as indicated by the increases in EC, turbidity, Cl-, and SO42-. Bacteria from the phylum Firmicutes and Bacteriodetes and Archaea from the phylum Euryarchaeota were the major phyla in both the leachates and manure heap. However, the class- or genus-level components of these phyla differed markedly between the leachate and manure heap samples. The relative abundance of Firmicutes decreased from 35% to 0.3~13.9% in the monitoring wells and background wells at both sites. The Firmicutes in these wells was unlikely to have originated from the transportation of leachate to the surrounding environment because Firmicutes genera differed drastically between the leachate and monitoring wells. Meanwhile, sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) from the livestock carcass burial site were detected in the monitoring wells close to the leachate. This was likely because the release of carcass decomposition products, such as organic acids, to adjacent areas improved the suitability of the local environments for SRB, which were not abundant in the leachate. This study highlights the need to better understand microbial community dynamics along groundwater flow paths to evaluate bacterial transport in subsurface environments and provides new insights into the effective management of groundwater quality at both farm and regional scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Jae Kwon
- Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Gangneung, Republic of Korea
- KU-KIST Green School, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail: (MJK); (SY)
| | - Seong-Taek Yun
- KU-KIST Green School, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail: (MJK); (SY)
| | - Baknoon Ham
- Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Gangneung, Republic of Korea
- KU-KIST Green School, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Ho Lee
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun-Seop Oh
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Weon-Wha Jheong
- National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon, Republic of Korea
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Ludington WB, Seher TD, Applegate O, Li X, Kliegman JI, Langelier C, Atwill ER, Harter T, DeRisi JL. Assessing biosynthetic potential of agricultural groundwater through metagenomic sequencing: A diverse anammox community dominates nitrate-rich groundwater. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0174930. [PMID: 28384184 PMCID: PMC5383146 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Accepted: 03/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Climate change produces extremes in both temperature and precipitation causing increased drought severity and increased reliance on groundwater resources. Agricultural practices, which rely on groundwater, are sensitive to but also sources of contaminants, including nitrate. How agricultural contamination drives groundwater geochemistry through microbial metabolism is poorly understood. Methods On an active cow dairy in the Central Valley of California, we sampled groundwater from three wells at depths of 4.3 m (two wells) and 100 m (one well) below ground surface (bgs) as well as an effluent surface water lagoon that fertilizes surrounding corn fields. We analyzed the samples for concentrations of solutes, heavy metals, and USDA pathogenic bacteria of the Escherichia coli and Enterococcus groups as part of a long term groundwater monitoring study. Whole metagenome shotgun sequencing and assembly revealed taxonomic composition and metabolic potential of the community. Results Elevated nitrate and dissolved organic carbon occurred at 4.3m but not at 100m bgs. Metagenomics confirmed chemical observations and revealed several Planctomycete genomes, including a new Brocadiaceae lineage and a likely Planctomycetes OM190, as well novel diversity and high abundance of nano-prokaryotes from the Candidate Phyla Radiation (CPR), the Diapherotrites, Parvarchaeota, Aenigmarchaeota, Nanoarchaeota, Nanohaloarchaea (DPANN) and the Thaumarchaeota, Aigarchaeota, Crenarchaeota, Korarchaeota (TACK) superphyla. Pathway analysis suggests community interactions based on complimentary primary metabolic pathways and abundant secondary metabolite operons encoding antimicrobials and quorum sensing systems. Conclusions The metagenomes show strong resemblance to activated sludge communities from a nitrogen removal reactor at a wastewater treatment plant, suggesting that natural bioremediation occurs through microbial metabolism. Elevated nitrate and rich secondary metabolite biosynthetic capacity suggest incomplete remediation and the potential for novel pharmacologically active compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- William B. Ludington
- Molecular Cell Biology Department, University of California, Berkeley, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Thaddeus D. Seher
- Molecular Cell Biology Department, University of California, Berkeley, United States of America
| | - Olin Applegate
- Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of California, Davis, Davis, United States of America
| | - Xunde Li
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, University of California, Davis, Davis, United States of America
- Western Institute for Food Safety and Security, University of California, Davis, Davis, United States of America
| | - Joseph I. Kliegman
- Department of Biophysics & Biochemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States of America
| | - Charles Langelier
- Department of Biophysics & Biochemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States of America
| | - Edward R. Atwill
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, University of California, Davis, Davis, United States of America
- Western Institute for Food Safety and Security, University of California, Davis, Davis, United States of America
| | - Thomas Harter
- Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of California, Davis, Davis, United States of America
| | - Joseph L. DeRisi
- Department of Biophysics & Biochemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland, United States of America
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Pakyz AL, McDanel J. A US View on Antimicrobial Stewardship in Animal Agriculture. CURRENT TREATMENT OPTIONS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s40506-016-0075-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Bradford SA, Schijven J, Harter T. Microbial Transport and Fate in the Subsurface Environment: Introduction to the Special Section. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 2015; 44:1333-1337. [PMID: 26436251 DOI: 10.2134/jeq2015.07.0375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Microorganisms constitute an almost exclusive form of life in the earth's subsurface environment (not including caves), particularly at depths exceeding the soil horizon. While of broad interest to ecology and geology, scientific interest in the fate and transport of microorganisms, particularly those introduced through the anthropogenic environment, has focused on understanding the subsurface environment as a pathway for human pathogens and on optimizing the use of microbial organisms for remediation of potable groundwater. This special section, inspired by the 2014 Ninth International Symposium for Subsurface Microbiology, brings together recent efforts to better understand the spatiotemporal occurrence of anthropogenic microbial groundwater contamination and the fate and transport of microbes in the subsurface environment: in soils, deep unsaturated zones, and within aquifer systems. Work includes field reconnaissance, controlled laboratory studies to improve our understanding of specific fate and transport processes, and the development and application of improved mechanistic understanding of microbial fate and transport processes in the subsurface environment. The findings confirm and also challenge the limitations of our current understanding of highly complex microbial fate and transport processes across spatiotemporal scales in the subsurface environment; they also add to the increasing knowledge base to improve our ability to protect drinking water resources and perform in situ environmental remediation.
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