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Manaia CM, Aga DS, Cytryn E, Gaze WH, Graham DW, Guo J, Leonard AFC, Li L, Murray AK, Nunes OC, Rodriguez-Mozaz S, Topp E, Zhang T. The Complex Interplay Between Antibiotic Resistance and Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products in the Environment. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024; 43:637-652. [PMID: 36582150 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are important environmental contaminants. Nonetheless, what drives the evolution, spread, and transmission of antibiotic resistance dissemination is still poorly understood. The abundance of ARB and ARGs is often elevated in human-impacted areas, especially in environments receiving fecal wastes, or in the presence of complex mixtures of chemical contaminants, such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products. Self-replication, mutation, horizontal gene transfer, and adaptation to different environmental conditions contribute to the persistence and proliferation of ARB in habitats under strong anthropogenic influence. Our review discusses the interplay between chemical contaminants and ARB and their respective genes, specifically in reference to co-occurrence, potential biostimulation, and selective pressure effects, and gives an overview of mitigation by existing man-made and natural barriers. Evidence and strategies to improve the assessment of human health risks due to environmental antibiotic resistance are also discussed. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:637-652. © 2022 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Célia M Manaia
- Universidade Católica Portuguesa, CBQF - Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina - Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Porto, Portugal
| | - Diana S Aga
- Chemistry Department, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Eddie Cytryn
- Institute of Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences, Volcani Institute, Agricultural Research Organization, Rishon-Lezion, Israel
| | - William H Gaze
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Penryn Campus, Cornwall, UK
| | - David W Graham
- School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK
| | - Jianhua Guo
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Anne F C Leonard
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Penryn Campus, Cornwall, UK
| | - Liguan Li
- Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Aimee K Murray
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Penryn Campus, Cornwall, UK
| | - Olga C Nunes
- Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sara Rodriguez-Mozaz
- Catalan Institute for Water Research, Girona, Spain
- Universitat de Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Edward Topp
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tong Zhang
- Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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2
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Wu J, Guo S, Lin H, Li K, Li Z, Wang J, Gaze WH, Zou J. Uncovering the prevalence and drivers of antibiotic resistance genes in soils across different land-use types. J Environ Manage 2023; 344:118920. [PMID: 37660639 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
The emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in soil due to animal excreta and organic waste is a major threat to human health and ecosystems, and global efforts are required to tackle the issue. However, there is limited knowledge of the variation in ARG prevalence and diversity resulting from different land-use patterns and underlying driving factors in soils. This study aimed to comprehensively characterize the profile of ARGs and mobile genetic elements and their drivers in soil samples collected from 11 provinces across China, representing three different land-use types, using high-throughput quantitative polymerase chain reaction and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Our results showed that agricultural soil had the highest abundance and diversity of ARGs, followed by tea plantation and forest land. A total of 124 unique ARGs were detected in all samples, with shared subtypes among different land-use patterns indicating a common origin or high transmission frequency. Moreover, significant differences in ARG distribution were observed among different geographical regions, with the greatest enrichment of ARGs found in southern China. Biotic and abiotic factors, including soil properties, climatic factors, and bacterial diversity, were identified as the primary drivers associated with ARG abundance, explaining 71.8% of total ARG variation. The findings of our study demonstrate that different land-use patterns are associated with variations in ARG abundance in soil, with agricultural practices posing the greatest risk to human health and ecosystems regarding ARGs. Our identification of biotic and abiotic drivers of ARG abundance provides valuable insights into strategies for mitigating the spread of these genes. This study emphasizes the need for coordinated and integrated approaches to address the global antimicrobial resistance crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Wu
- Key Laboratory of Green and Low-carbon Agriculture in Southeastern China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Shumin Guo
- Key Laboratory of Green and Low-carbon Agriculture in Southeastern China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Haiyan Lin
- Key Laboratory of Green and Low-carbon Agriculture in Southeastern China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Kejie Li
- Key Laboratory of Green and Low-carbon Agriculture in Southeastern China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Zhutao Li
- Key Laboratory of Green and Low-carbon Agriculture in Southeastern China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Jinyang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Green and Low-carbon Agriculture in Southeastern China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Low Carbon Agriculture and GHGs Mitigation, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Nanjing, 210095, China.
| | - William H Gaze
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Environment & Sustainability Institute, Penryn Campus, TR10 9FE, United Kingdom
| | - Jianwen Zou
- Key Laboratory of Green and Low-carbon Agriculture in Southeastern China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Low Carbon Agriculture and GHGs Mitigation, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Nanjing, 210095, China
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Sünderhauf D, Klümper U, Gaze WH, Westra ER, van Houte S. Interspecific competition can drive plasmid loss from a focal species in a microbial community. ISME J 2023; 17:1765-1773. [PMID: 37558861 PMCID: PMC10504238 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-023-01487-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Plasmids are key disseminators of antimicrobial resistance genes and virulence factors, and it is therefore critical to predict and reduce plasmid spread within microbial communities. The cost of plasmid carriage is a key metric that can be used to predict plasmids' ecological fate, and it is unclear whether plasmid costs are affected by growth partners in a microbial community. We carried out competition experiments and tracked plasmid maintenance using a model system consisting of a synthetic and stable five-species community and a broad host-range plasmid, engineered to carry different payloads. We report that both the cost of plasmid carriage and its long-term maintenance in a focal strain depended on the presence of competitors, and that these interactions were species specific. Addition of growth partners increased the cost of a high-payload plasmid to a focal strain, and accordingly, plasmid loss from the focal species occurred over a shorter time frame. We propose that the destabilising effect of interspecific competition on plasmid maintenance may be leveraged in clinical and natural environments to cure plasmids from focal strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Sünderhauf
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Environment and Sustainability Institute, Penryn, TR10 9FE, UK.
| | - Uli Klümper
- Department Hydrosciences, Technische Universität Dresden, Institute of Hydrobiology, Dresden, Germany
| | - William H Gaze
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Environment and Sustainability Institute, Penryn, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Edze R Westra
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Environment and Sustainability Institute, Penryn, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Stineke van Houte
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Environment and Sustainability Institute, Penryn, TR10 9FE, UK.
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Yin X, Chen X, Jiang XT, Yang Y, Li B, Shum MHH, Lam TTY, Leung GM, Rose J, Sanchez-Cid C, Vogel TM, Walsh F, Berendonk TU, Midega J, Uchea C, Frigon D, Wright GD, Bezuidenhout C, Picão RC, Ahammad SZ, Nielsen PH, Hugenholtz P, Ashbolt NJ, Corno G, Fatta-Kassinos D, Bürgmann H, Schmitt H, Cha CJ, Pruden A, Smalla K, Cytryn E, Zhang Y, Yang M, Zhu YG, Dechesne A, Smets BF, Graham DW, Gillings MR, Gaze WH, Manaia CM, van Loosdrecht MCM, Alvarez PJJ, Blaser MJ, Tiedje JM, Topp E, Zhang T. Toward a Universal Unit for Quantification of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Environmental Samples. Environ Sci Technol 2023. [PMID: 37310875 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c00159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Surveillance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) has been increasingly conducted in environmental sectors to complement the surveys in human and animal sectors under the "One-Health" framework. However, there are substantial challenges in comparing and synthesizing the results of multiple studies that employ different test methods and approaches in bioinformatic analysis. In this article, we consider the commonly used quantification units (ARG copy per cell, ARG copy per genome, ARG density, ARG copy per 16S rRNA gene, RPKM, coverage, PPM, etc.) for profiling ARGs and suggest a universal unit (ARG copy per cell) for reporting such biological measurements of samples and improving the comparability of different surveillance efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaole Yin
- Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, Center for Environmental Engineering Research, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, 99077 Hong Kong, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, Center for Environmental Engineering Research, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, 99077 Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiao-Tao Jiang
- Microbiome Research Centre, St George and Sutherland Clinical School, University of New South Wales, 2052 Sydney, Australia
| | - Ying Yang
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 519082 Zhuhai, China
| | - Bing Li
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Microorganism Application and Risk Control, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, F518055 Shenzhen, China
| | - Marcus Ho-Hin Shum
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, 999077 Hong Kong, China
| | - Tommy T Y Lam
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, 999077 Hong Kong, China
| | - Gabriel M Leung
- Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health, Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks, New Territories, 99077 Hong Kong, China
| | - Joan Rose
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, 48824 Michigan, United States
| | - Concepcion Sanchez-Cid
- Environmental Microbial Genomics, CNRS UMR 5005 Laboratoire Ampère, École Centrale de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, Université de Lyon, 69130 Écully, France
| | - Timothy M Vogel
- Environmental Microbial Genomics, CNRS UMR 5005 Laboratoire Ampère, École Centrale de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, Université de Lyon, 69130 Écully, France
| | - Fiona Walsh
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, R51 Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Thomas U Berendonk
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Technische Universität Dresden, Institute for Hydrobiology, 01217 Dresden, Germany
| | | | | | - Dominic Frigon
- Department of Civil Engineering and Applied Mechanics, McGill University, 817 Sherbrooke St. West, Montreal, H3A 0C3 Quebec, Canada
| | - Gerard D Wright
- Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, L8N 3Z5 Ontario, Canada
| | - Carlos Bezuidenhout
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management (UESM)-Microbiology, North-West University, 2531 Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Renata C Picão
- Medical Microbiology Department, Paulo de Góes Microbiology Institute of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Shaikh Z Ahammad
- Department of Biochemical Engineering & Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, 110016 New Delhi, India
| | - Per Halkjær Nielsen
- Center for Microbial Communities, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, 9210 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Philip Hugenholtz
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072 Queensland, Australia
| | - Nicholas J Ashbolt
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Bilinga, 4225 Queensland, Australia
| | - Gianluca Corno
- Molecular Ecology Group (MEG), Water Research Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IRSA), 28922 Verbania, Italy
| | - Despo Fatta-Kassinos
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Nireas International Water Research Center, University of Cyprus, P.O. Box 20537, 1678 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Helmut Bürgmann
- Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 6047 Kastanienbaum, Switzerland
| | - Heike Schmitt
- Centre for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology-Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), 3721 Bilthoven, The Netherlands
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, 2628 Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Chang-Jun Cha
- Department of Systems Biotechnology and Center for Antibiotic Resistome, Chung-Ang University, 17546 Anseong, Republic of Korea
| | - Amy Pruden
- The Charles Edward Via, Jr., Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, 24060 Virginia, United States
| | - Kornelia Smalla
- Julius Kühn Institute (JKI) Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Epidemiology and Pathogen Diagnostics, 38104 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Eddie Cytryn
- Department of Soil Chemistry, Plant Nutrition and Microbiology, Institute of Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences, The Volcani Institute, Agricultural Research Organization, 7528809 Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Yu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100085 Beijing, China
| | - Min Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100085 Beijing, China
| | - Yong-Guan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 361021 Xiamen, China
| | - Arnaud Dechesne
- Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Barth F Smets
- Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Lyngby, Denmark
| | - David W Graham
- School of Engineering, Newcastle University, NE1 7RU Newcastle Upon Tyne, U.K
| | - Michael R Gillings
- School of Natural Sciences and ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Macquarie University, Sydney, 2109 New South Wales, Australia
| | - William H Gaze
- University of Exeter Medical School, Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, TR10 9FE Cornwall, U.K
| | - Célia M Manaia
- Universidade Católica Portuguesa, CBQF-Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina-Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, 4169-005 Porto, Portugal
| | - Mark C M van Loosdrecht
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Pedro J J Alvarez
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University, Houston, 77005 Texas, United States
| | - Martin J Blaser
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Rutgers University, Piscataway, 08854 New Jersey, United States
| | - James M Tiedje
- Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, 48824 Michigan, United States
| | - Edward Topp
- London Research and Development Centre (LRDC), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, London, N5V 4T3 Ontario, Canada
| | - Tong Zhang
- Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, Center for Environmental Engineering Research, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, 99077 Hong Kong, China
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Farrell ML, Chueiri A, O'Connor L, Duane S, Maguire M, Miliotis G, Cormican M, Hooban B, Leonard A, Gaze WH, Devane G, Tuohy A, Burke LP, Morris D. Assessing the impact of recreational water use on carriage of antimicrobial resistant organisms. Sci Total Environ 2023; 888:164201. [PMID: 37196970 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the role of exposure to natural recreational waters in the acquisition and transmission of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an area of increasing interest. A point prevalence study was carried out in the island of Ireland to determine the prevalence of colonisation with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-PE) and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) in recreational water users (WU) and matched controls. A total of 411 adult participants (199 WU, 212 controls) submitted at least one faecal sample between September 2020 - October 2021. In total, 80 Enterobacterales were isolated from 73 participants. ESBL-PE were detected in 29 (7.1 %) participants (7 WU, 22 controls), and CRE were detected in nine (2.2 %) participants (4 WU, 5 controls). No carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) were detected. WU were significantly less likely to harbour ESBL-PE than controls (risk ratio = 0.34, 95 % CI 0.148 to 0.776, χ2 7.37, p = 0.007). This study demonstrates the occurrence of ESBL-PE and CRE in healthy participants in Ireland. Recreational exposure to bathing water in Ireland was associated with a decreased prevalence of colonisation with ESBL-PE and CRE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maeve Louise Farrell
- Antimicrobial Resistance and Microbial Ecology Group, School of Medicine, University of Galway, Ireland; Centre for One Health, Ryan Institute, University of Galway, Ireland.
| | - Alexandra Chueiri
- Antimicrobial Resistance and Microbial Ecology Group, School of Medicine, University of Galway, Ireland; Centre for One Health, Ryan Institute, University of Galway, Ireland
| | - Louise O'Connor
- Antimicrobial Resistance and Microbial Ecology Group, School of Medicine, University of Galway, Ireland; Centre for One Health, Ryan Institute, University of Galway, Ireland
| | - Sinead Duane
- Antimicrobial Resistance and Microbial Ecology Group, School of Medicine, University of Galway, Ireland; Centre for One Health, Ryan Institute, University of Galway, Ireland; J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, University of Galway, Ireland
| | - Mark Maguire
- Antimicrobial Resistance and Microbial Ecology Group, School of Medicine, University of Galway, Ireland; Centre for One Health, Ryan Institute, University of Galway, Ireland
| | - Georgios Miliotis
- Antimicrobial Resistance and Microbial Ecology Group, School of Medicine, University of Galway, Ireland; Centre for One Health, Ryan Institute, University of Galway, Ireland
| | - Martin Cormican
- Antimicrobial Resistance and Microbial Ecology Group, School of Medicine, University of Galway, Ireland; Centre for One Health, Ryan Institute, University of Galway, Ireland; National Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales Reference Laboratory Service, Ireland
| | - Brigid Hooban
- Antimicrobial Resistance and Microbial Ecology Group, School of Medicine, University of Galway, Ireland; Centre for One Health, Ryan Institute, University of Galway, Ireland
| | - Anne Leonard
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Cornwall, UK
| | - William H Gaze
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Cornwall, UK
| | - Genevieve Devane
- National Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales Reference Laboratory Service, Ireland
| | - Alma Tuohy
- Antimicrobial Resistance and Microbial Ecology Group, School of Medicine, University of Galway, Ireland
| | - Liam P Burke
- Antimicrobial Resistance and Microbial Ecology Group, School of Medicine, University of Galway, Ireland; Centre for One Health, Ryan Institute, University of Galway, Ireland
| | - Dearbháile Morris
- Antimicrobial Resistance and Microbial Ecology Group, School of Medicine, University of Galway, Ireland; Centre for One Health, Ryan Institute, University of Galway, Ireland
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Walker-Sünderhauf D, Klümper U, Pursey E, Westra ER, Gaze WH, van Houte S. Removal of AMR plasmids using a mobile, broad host-range CRISPR-Cas9 delivery tool. Microbiology (Reading) 2023; 169:001334. [PMID: 37226834 PMCID: PMC10268836 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes are widely disseminated on plasmids. Therefore, interventions aimed at blocking plasmid uptake and transfer may curb the spread of AMR. Previous studies have used CRISPR-Cas-based technology to remove plasmids encoding AMR genes from target bacteria, using either phage- or plasmid-based delivery vehicles that typically have narrow host ranges. To make this technology feasible for removal of AMR plasmids from multiple members of complex microbial communities, an efficient, broad host-range delivery vehicle is needed. We engineered the broad host-range IncP1-plasmid pKJK5 to encode cas9 programmed to target an AMR gene. We demonstrate that the resulting plasmid pKJK5::csg has the ability to block the uptake of AMR plasmids and to remove resident plasmids from Escherichia coli. Furthermore, due to its broad host range, pKJK5::csg successfully blocked AMR plasmid uptake in a range of environmental, pig- and human-associated coliform isolates, as well as in isolates of two species of Pseudomonas. This study firmly establishes pKJK5::csg as a promising broad host-range CRISPR-Cas9 delivery tool for AMR plasmid removal, which has the potential to be applied in complex microbial communities to remove AMR genes from a broad range of bacterial species.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Walker-Sünderhauf
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Environment and Sustainability Institute, Penryn, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Uli Klümper
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01217 Dresden, Germany
| | - Elizabeth Pursey
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Environment and Sustainability Institute, Penryn, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Edze R. Westra
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Environment and Sustainability Institute, Penryn, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - William H. Gaze
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Environment and Sustainability Institute, Penryn, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Stineke van Houte
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Environment and Sustainability Institute, Penryn, TR10 9FE, UK
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7
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Affiliation(s)
- D G J Larsson
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Centre for Antibiotic Resistance Research in Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - W H Gaze
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | | | - E Topp
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
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8
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Munk P, Brinch C, Møller FD, Petersen TN, Hendriksen RS, Seyfarth AM, Kjeldgaard JS, Svendsen CA, van Bunnik B, Berglund F, Larsson DGJ, Koopmans M, Woolhouse M, Aarestrup FM, Gibb K, Coventry K, Collignon P, Cassar S, Allerberger F, Begum A, Hossain ZZ, Worrell C, Vandenberg O, Pieters I, Victorien DT, Gutierrez ADS, Soria F, Grujić VR, Mazalica N, Rahube TO, Tagliati CA, Rodrigues D, Oliveira G, de Souza LCR, Ivanov I, Juste BI, Oumar T, Sopheak T, Vuthy Y, Ngandjio A, Nzouankeu A, Olivier ZAAJ, Yost CK, Kumar P, Brar SK, Tabo DA, Adell AD, Paredes-Osses E, Martinez MC, Cuadros-Orellana S, Ke C, Zheng H, Baisheng L, Lau LT, Chung T, Jiao X, Yu Y, JiaYong Z, Morales JFB, Valencia MF, Donado-Godoy P, Coulibaly KJ, Hrenovic J, Jergović M, Karpíšková R, Deogratias ZN, Elsborg B, Hansen LT, Jensen PE, Abouelnaga M, Salem MF, Koolmeister M, Legesse M, Eguale T, Heikinheimo A, Le Guyader S, Schaeffer J, Villacis JE, Sanneh B, Malania L, Nitsche A, Brinkmann A, Schubert S, Hesse S, Berendonk TU, Saba CKS, Mohammed J, Feglo PK, Banu RA, Kotzamanidis C, Lytras E, Lickes SA, Kocsis B, Solymosi N, Thorsteinsdottir TR, Hatha AM, Ballal M, Bangera SR, Fani F, Alebouyeh M, Morris D, O’Connor L, Cormican M, Moran-Gilad J, Battisti A, Diaconu EL, Corno G, Di Cesare A, Alba P, Hisatsune J, Yu L, Kuroda M, Sugai M, Kayama S, Shakenova Z, Kiiyukia C, Ng’eno E, Raka L, Jamil K, Fakhraldeen SA, Alaati T, Bērziņš A, Avsejenko J, Kokina K, Streikisa M, Bartkevics V, Matar GM, Daoud Z, Pereckienė A, Butrimaite-Ambrozeviciene C, Penny C, Bastaraud A, Rasolofoarison T, Collard JM, Samison LH, Andrianarivelo MR, Banda DL, Amin A, Rajandas H, Parimannan S, Spiteri D, Haber MV, Santchurn SJ, Vujacic A, Djurovic D, Bouchrif B, Karraouan B, Vubil DC, Pal P, Schmitt H, van Passel M, Jeunen GJ, Gemmell N, Chambers ST, Mendoza FP, Huete-Pιrez J, Vilchez S, Ahmed AO, Adisa IR, Odetokun IA, Fashae K, Sørgaard AM, Wester AL, Ryrfors P, Holmstad R, Mohsin M, Hasan R, Shakoor S, Gustafson NW, Schill CH, Rojas MLZ, Velasquez JE, Magtibay BB, Catangcatang K, Sibulo R, Yauce FC, Wasyl D, Manaia C, Rocha J, Martins J, Álvaro P, Di Yoong Wen D, Shin H, Hur HG, Yoon S, Bosevska G, Kochubovski M, Cojocaru R, Burduniuc O, Hong PY, Perry MR, Gassama A, Radosavljevic V, Tay MYF, Zuniga-Montanez R, Wuertz S, Gavačová D, Pastuchová K, Truska P, Trkov M, Keddy K, Esterhuyse K, Song MJ, Quintela-Baluja M, Lopez MG, Cerdà-Cuéllar M, Perera RRDP, Bandara NKBKRGW, Premasiri HI, Pathirage S, Charlemagne K, Rutgersson C, Norrgren L, Örn S, Boss R, Van der Heijden T, Hong YP, Kumburu HH, Mdegela RH, Hounmanou YMG, Chonsin K, Suthienkul O, Thamlikitkul V, de Roda Husman AM, Bidjada B, Njanpop-Lafourcade BM, Nikiema-Pessinaba SC, Levent B, Kurekci C, Ejobi F, Kalule JB, Thomsen J, Obaidi O, Jassim LM, Moore A, Leonard A, Graham DW, Bunce JT, Zhang L, Gaze WH, Lefor B, Capone D, Sozzi E, Brown J, Meschke JS, Sobsey MD, Davis M, Beck NK, Sukapanpatharam P, Truong P, Lilienthal R, Kang S, Wittum TE, Rigamonti N, Baklayan P, Van CD, Tran DMN, Do Phuc N, Kwenda G, Larsson DGJ, Koopmans M, Woolhouse M, Aarestrup FM. Author Correction: Genomic analysis of sewage from 101 countries reveals global landscape of antimicrobial resistance. Nat Commun 2023; 14:178. [PMID: 36635285 PMCID: PMC9837105 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-35890-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Munk
- grid.5170.30000 0001 2181 8870Research Group for Genomic Epidemiology, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Christian Brinch
- grid.5170.30000 0001 2181 8870Research Group for Genomic Epidemiology, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Frederik Duus Møller
- grid.5170.30000 0001 2181 8870Research Group for Genomic Epidemiology, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Thomas N. Petersen
- grid.5170.30000 0001 2181 8870Research Group for Genomic Epidemiology, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Rene S. Hendriksen
- grid.5170.30000 0001 2181 8870Research Group for Genomic Epidemiology, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Anne Mette Seyfarth
- grid.5170.30000 0001 2181 8870Research Group for Genomic Epidemiology, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jette S. Kjeldgaard
- grid.5170.30000 0001 2181 8870Research Group for Genomic Epidemiology, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Christina Aaby Svendsen
- grid.5170.30000 0001 2181 8870Research Group for Genomic Epidemiology, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Bram van Bunnik
- grid.4305.20000 0004 1936 7988Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Fanny Berglund
- grid.8761.80000 0000 9919 9582Centre for Antibiotic Resistance Research (CARe), University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - D. G. Joakim Larsson
- grid.8761.80000 0000 9919 9582Centre for Antibiotic Resistance Research (CARe), University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Marion Koopmans
- grid.5645.2000000040459992XDepartment of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mark Woolhouse
- grid.4305.20000 0004 1936 7988Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Frank M. Aarestrup
- grid.5170.30000 0001 2181 8870Research Group for Genomic Epidemiology, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
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9
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Murray AK, Zhang L, Snape J, Gaze WH. Functional metagenomic libraries generated from anthropogenically impacted environments reveal importance of metabolic genes in biocide and antibiotic resistance. Curr Res Microb Sci 2023; 4:100184. [PMID: 36908773 PMCID: PMC9995290 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmicr.2023.100184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic activities result in the release of antimicrobial resistant bacteria and a cocktail of antimicrobial compounds into the environment that may directly select or indirectly co-select for antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Many studies use metagenome sequencing or qPCR-based approaches to study the environmental resistome but these methods are limited by a priori knowledge. In this study, a functional metagenomic approach was used to explore biocide resistance mechanisms in two contaminated environments and a pristine site, and to identify whether potentially novel genes conferring biocide resistance also conferred resistance or reduced susceptibility to antibiotics. Resistance was predominately mediated through novel mechanisms exclusive of the well-known qac efflux genes. UDP-galactose 4-epimerase (galE) -like genes were identified in both contaminated environments and were shown to confer cross-resistance to biocides and clinically important antibiotics for the first time (to our knowledge), compared to knockout mutants. GalE -like genes were also co-located with transposons, suggesting mobilisation potential. These results show that housekeeping genes may play a significant yet underappreciated role in AMR in environmental microbiomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimee K. Murray
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Environment and Sustainability Institute, Penryn Campus, Cornwall TR10 9FE, United Kingdom
- Corresponding author.
| | - Lihong Zhang
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Environment and Sustainability Institute, Penryn Campus, Cornwall TR10 9FE, United Kingdom
| | - Jason Snape
- AstraZeneca Global Environment, Alderly Park, Macclesfield, United Kingdom
| | - William H. Gaze
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Environment and Sustainability Institute, Penryn Campus, Cornwall TR10 9FE, United Kingdom
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10
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Woods RD, Swaddle JP, Bearhop S, Colhoun K, Gaze WH, Kay SM, McDonald RA. A Sonic Net deters European starlings
Sturnus vulgaris
from maize silage stores. WILDLIFE SOC B 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Richard D. Woods
- Environment and Sustainability Institute University of Exeter, Penryn Cornwall TR10 9FE UK
| | - John P. Swaddle
- Institute for Integrative Conservation William & Mary Williamsburg VA 23187 USA
| | - Stuart Bearhop
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation University of Exeter, Penryn Cornwall TR10 9FE UK
| | - Kendrew Colhoun
- KRC Ecological Ltd. 33 Hilltown Road, Bryansford Northern Ireland BT33 0PZ UK
| | - William H. Gaze
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health University of Exeter, Penryn Cornwall TR10 9FE UK
| | - Suzanne M. Kay
- Environment and Sustainability Institute University of Exeter, Penryn Cornwall TR10 9FE UK
| | - Robbie A. McDonald
- Environment and Sustainability Institute University of Exeter, Penryn Cornwall TR10 9FE UK
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11
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Wang Y, Yu Z, Ding P, Lu J, Klümper U, Murray AK, Gaze WH, Guo J. Non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals promote conjugative plasmid transfer at a community-wide level. Microbiome 2022; 10:124. [PMID: 35953866 PMCID: PMC9373378 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-022-01314-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) plays a critical role in the spread of antibiotic resistance and the evolutionary shaping of bacterial communities. Conjugation is the most well characterized pathway for the spread of antibiotic resistance, compared to transformation and transduction. While antibiotics have been found to induce HGT, it remains unknown whether non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals can facilitate conjugation at a microbial community-wide level. RESULTS In this study, we demonstrate that several commonly consumed non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals (including carbamazepine, ibuprofen, naproxen and propranolol), at environmentally relevant concentrations (0.5 mg/L), can promote the conjugative transfer of IncP1-α plasmid-borne antibiotic resistance across entire microbial communities. The over-generation of reactive oxygen species in response to these non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals may contribute to the enhanced conjugation ratios. Cell sorting and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing analyses indicated that non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals modulate transconjugant microbial communities at both phylum and genus levels. Moreover, microbial uptake ability of the IncP1-α plasmid was also upregulated under non-antibiotic pharmaceutical exposure. Several opportunistic pathogens, such as Acinetobacter and Legionella, were more likely to acquire the plasmid conferring multidrug resistance. CONCLUSIONS Considering the high possibility of co-occurrence of pathogenic bacteria, conjugative IncP1-α plasmids and non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals in various environments (e.g., activated sludge systems), our findings illustrate the potential risk associated with increased dissemination of antibiotic resistance promoted by non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals in complex environmental settings. Video abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wang
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, Formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Zhigang Yu
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, Formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Pengbo Ding
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, Formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Ji Lu
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, Formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Uli Klümper
- Institute for Hydrobiology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01217, Dresden, Germany
| | - Aimee K Murray
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Environment & Sustainability Institute, Penryn Campus, Penryn, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - William H Gaze
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Environment & Sustainability Institute, Penryn Campus, Penryn, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Jianhua Guo
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, Formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
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12
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Elder FCT, Pascoe B, Wells S, Sheppard SK, Snape J, Gaze WH, Feil EJ, Kasprzyk-Hordern B. Stereoselective metabolism of chloramphenicol by bacteria isolated from wastewater, and the importance of stereochemistry in environmental risk assessments for antibiotics. Water Res 2022; 217:118415. [PMID: 35430467 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants have been highlighted as a potential hotspot for the development and spread of antibiotic resistance. Although antibiotic resistant bacteria in wastewater present a public health threat, it is also possible that these bacteria play an important role in the bioremediation through the metabolism of antibiotics before they reach the wider environment. Here we address this possibility with a particular emphasis on stereochemistry using a combination of microbiology and analytical chemistry tools including the use of supercritical-fluid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry for chiral analysis and high-resolution mass spectrometry to investigate metabolites. Due to the complexities around chiral analysis the antibiotic chloramphenicol was used as a proof of concept to demonstrate stereoselective metabolism due to its relatively simple chemical structure and availability over the counter in the U.K. The results presented here demonstrate the chloramphenicol can be stereoselectively transformed by the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase enzyme with the orientation around the first stereocentre being key for this process, meaning that accumulation of two isomers may occur within the environment with potential impacts on ecotoxicity and emergence of bacterial antibiotic resistance within the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ben Pascoe
- The Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, BA27AY, Bath, UK
| | - Stephen Wells
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, BA27AY, Bath, UK; Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Bath, BA27AY, Bath, UK
| | - Samuel K Sheppard
- The Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, BA27AY, Bath, UK
| | - Jason Snape
- AstraZeneca Global Sustainability, Mereside, Macclesfield, SK104TG, UK
| | - William H Gaze
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, ESI, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Edward J Feil
- The Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, BA27AY, Bath, UK
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13
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Stevenson EM, Gaze WH, Gow NAR, Hart A, Schmidt W, Usher J, Warris A, Wilkinson H, Murray AK. Antifungal Exposure and Resistance Development: Defining Minimal Selective Antifungal Concentrations and Testing Methodologies. Front Fungal Biol 2022; 3:918717. [PMID: 37746188 PMCID: PMC10512330 DOI: 10.3389/ffunb.2022.918717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
This scoping review aims to summarise the current understanding of selection for antifungal resistance (AFR) and to compare and contrast this with selection for antibacterial resistance, which has received more research attention. AFR is an emerging global threat to human health, associated with high mortality rates, absence of effective surveillance systems and with few alternative treatment options available. Clinical AFR is well documented, with additional settings increasingly being recognised to play a role in the evolution and spread of AFR. The environment, for example, harbours diverse fungal communities that are regularly exposed to antifungal micropollutants, potentially increasing AFR selection risk. The direct application of effect concentrations of azole fungicides to agricultural crops and the incomplete removal of pharmaceutical antifungals in wastewater treatment systems are of particular concern. Currently, environmental risk assessment (ERA) guidelines do not require assessment of antifungal agents in terms of their ability to drive AFR development, and there are no established experimental tools to determine antifungal selective concentrations. Without data to interpret the selective risk of antifungals, our ability to effectively inform safe environmental thresholds is severely limited. In this review, potential methods to generate antifungal selective concentration data are proposed, informed by approaches used to determine antibacterial minimal selective concentrations. Such data can be considered in the development of regulatory guidelines that aim to reduce selection for AFR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M. Stevenson
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Cornwall, United Kingdom
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter Medical School, Cornwall, United Kingdom
| | - William H. Gaze
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Cornwall, United Kingdom
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter Medical School, Cornwall, United Kingdom
| | - Neil A. R. Gow
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Alwyn Hart
- Chief Scientist’s Group, Environment Agency, Horizon House, Bristol, England, United Kingdom
| | - Wiebke Schmidt
- Chief Scientist’s Group, Environment Agency, Horizon House, Bristol, England, United Kingdom
| | - Jane Usher
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Adilia Warris
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Helen Wilkinson
- Chief Scientist’s Group, Environment Agency, Horizon House, Bristol, England, United Kingdom
| | - Aimee K. Murray
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Cornwall, United Kingdom
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter Medical School, Cornwall, United Kingdom
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14
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Leonard AF, Morris D, Schmitt H, Gaze WH. Natural recreational waters and the risk that exposure to antibiotic resistant bacteria poses to human health. Curr Opin Microbiol 2022; 65:40-46. [PMID: 34739925 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2021.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is widely recognised as a considerable threat to human health, wellbeing and prosperity. Many clinically important antibiotic resistance genes are understood to have originated in the natural environment. However, the complex interactions between humans, animals and the environment makes the health implications of environmental AMR difficult to quantify. This narrative review focuses on the current state of knowledge regarding antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) in natural bathing waters and implications for human health. It considers the latest research focusing on the transmission of ARB from bathing waters to humans. The limitations of existing evidence are discussed, as well as research priorities. The authors are of the opinion that future studies should include faecally contaminated bathing waters and people exposed to these environments to accurately parameterise environment-to-human transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Fc Leonard
- University of Exeter Medical School, Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK.
| | - Dearbháile Morris
- Antimicrobial Resistance and Microbial Ecology Group, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland
| | - Heike Schmitt
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology - Centre for Infectious Disease Control, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - William H Gaze
- University of Exeter Medical School, Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK.
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15
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Elder FCT, Proctor K, Barden R, Gaze WH, Snape J, Feil EJ, Kasprzyk-Hordern B. Spatiotemporal profiling of antibiotics and resistance genes in a river catchment: Human population as the main driver of antibiotic and antibiotic resistance gene presence in the environment. Water Res 2021; 203:117533. [PMID: 34416649 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Studies to understand the role wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) play in the dissemination of antibiotics (ABs), and in the emergence of antibiotic resistance (ABR), play an important role in tackling this global crisis. Here we describe the abundance and distribution of 16 ABs, and 4 corresponding antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), sampled from the influent to five WWTPs within a single river catchment. We consider four classes of antibiotics: fluroquinolones, macrolides, sulfamethoxazole and chloramphenicol, as well the corresponding antibiotic resistance genes qnrS, ermB, sul1 and catA. All antibiotics, apart from four fluroquinolones (besifloxacin, lomefloxacin, ulifloxacin, prulifloxacin), were detected within all influent wastewater from the 5 cities (1 city = 1 WWTP), as were the corresponding antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Strong correlations were observed between the daily loads of ABs and ARGs versus the size of the population served by each WWTP, as well as between AB and ARG loads at a single site. The efficiency of ABs and ARGs removal by the WWTPs varied according to site (and treatment process utilized) and target, although strong correlations were maintained between the population size served by WWTPs and daily loads of discharged ABs and ARGs into the environment. We therefore conclude that population size is the main determinant of the magnitude of AB and ARG burden in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kathryn Proctor
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | | | - William H Gaze
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter ESI, Penryn Campus, Penryn TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Jason Snape
- AstraZeneca Global Sustainability, Mereside, Macclesfield SK10 4TG, UK
| | - Edward J Feil
- The Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
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16
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Murray AK, Stanton I, Gaze WH, Snape J. Dawning of a new ERA: Environmental Risk Assessment of antibiotics and their potential to select for antimicrobial resistance. Water Res 2021; 200:117233. [PMID: 34038824 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Antibiotics and antimicrobials are used, misused and overused in human and veterinary medicine, animal husbandry and aquaculture. These compounds can persist in both human and animal waste and then enter the environment through a variety of mechanisms. Though generally measured environmental concentrations (MECs) of antibiotics in aquatic systems are significantly lower than point of therapeutic use concentrations, there is increasing evidence that suggests these concentrations may still enrich antimicrobial resistant bacteria. In light of this evidence, a rigorous and standardised novel methodology needs to be developed which can perform environmental risk assessment (ERA) of antimicrobials in terms of their selective potential as well as their environmental impact, to ensure that diffuse and point source discharges are safe. This review summarises and critically appraises the current methodological approaches that study selection at below point of therapeutic use, or sub-inhibitory, concentrations of antibiotics. We collate and compare selective concentration data generated to date. We recommend how these data can be interpreted in line with current ERA guidelines; outlining and describing novel concepts unique to risk assessment of AMR (such as direct selection of AMR or increased persistence of AMR). We consolidate terminology used thus far into a single framework that could be adopted moving forward, by proposing predicted no effect concentrations for resistance (PNECRs) and predicted no effect concentrations for persistence (PNECPs) be determined in AMR risk assessment. Such a framework will contribute to antibiotic stewardship and by extension, protection of human health, food security and the global economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimee K Murray
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Environment & Sustainability Institute, Penryn Campus, TR10 9FE, United Kingdom.
| | - Isobel Stanton
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Environment & Sustainability Institute, Penryn Campus, TR10 9FE, United Kingdom
| | - William H Gaze
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Environment & Sustainability Institute, Penryn Campus, TR10 9FE, United Kingdom
| | - Jason Snape
- AstraZeneca Global Sustainability, Alderley Park, Macclesfield, SK10 4TF, United Kingdom
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17
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Hillary LS, Farkas K, Maher KH, Lucaci A, Thorpe J, Distaso MA, Gaze WH, Paterson S, Burke T, Connor TR, McDonald JE, Malham SK, Jones DL. Monitoring SARS-CoV-2 in municipal wastewater to evaluate the success of lockdown measures for controlling COVID-19 in the UK. Water Res 2021; 200:117214. [PMID: 34058486 PMCID: PMC8105641 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 and the resulting COVID-19 pandemic represents one of the greatest recent threats to human health, wellbeing and economic growth. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) of human viruses can be a useful tool for population-scale monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 prevalence and epidemiology to help prevent further spread of the disease, particularly within urban centres. Here, we present a longitudinal analysis (March-July 2020) of SARS-CoV-2 RNA prevalence in sewage across six major urban centres in the UK (total population equivalent 3 million) by q(RT-)PCR and viral genome sequencing. Our results demonstrate that levels of SARS-CoV-2 RNA generally correlated with the abundance of clinical cases recorded within the community in large urban centres, with a marked decline in SARS-CoV-2 RNA abundance following the implementation of lockdown measures. The strength of this association was weaker in areas with lower confirmed COVID-19 case numbers. Further, sequence analysis of SARS-CoV-2 from wastewater suggested that multiple genetically distinct clusters were co-circulating in the local populations covered by our sample sites, and that the genetic variants observed in wastewater reflected similar SNPs observed in contemporaneous samples from cases tested in clinical diagnostic laboratories. We demonstrate how WBE can be used for both community-level detection and tracking of SARS-CoV-2 and other virus' prevalence, and can inform public health policy decisions. Although, greater understanding of the factors that affect SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentration in wastewater are needed for the full integration of WBE data into outbreak surveillance. In conclusion, our results lend support to the use of routine WBE for monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 and other human pathogenic viruses circulating in the population and assessment of the effectiveness of disease control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke S Hillary
- School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, United Kingdom.
| | - Kata Farkas
- School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, United Kingdom; School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, LL59 5AB, United Kingdom
| | - Kathryn H Maher
- NERC Environmental Omics Facility, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, United Kingdom
| | - Anita Lucaci
- NERC Environmental Omics Facility, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, United Kingdom
| | - Jamie Thorpe
- School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, United Kingdom; School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, LL59 5AB, United Kingdom
| | - Marco A Distaso
- Centre for Environmental Biotechnology, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, United Kingdom
| | - William H Gaze
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, ESI, Penryn Campus, TR10 9FE United Kingdom
| | - Steve Paterson
- NERC Environmental Omics Facility, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, United Kingdom
| | - Terry Burke
- NERC Environmental Omics Facility, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas R Connor
- Organisms and Environment Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, United Kingdom; Public Health Wales, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, CF14 4XW, United Kingdom
| | - James E McDonald
- School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, United Kingdom
| | - Shelagh K Malham
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, LL59 5AB, United Kingdom
| | - David L Jones
- School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, United Kingdom; UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
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Elder FCT, Feil EJ, Pascoe B, Sheppard SK, Snape J, Gaze WH, Kasprzyk-Hordern B. Stereoselective Bacterial Metabolism of Antibiotics in Environmental Bacteria - A Novel Biochemical Workflow. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:562157. [PMID: 33935981 PMCID: PMC8086513 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.562157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although molecular genetic approaches have greatly increased our understanding of the evolution and spread of antibiotic resistance genes, there are fewer studies on the dynamics of antibiotic - bacterial (A-B) interactions, especially with respect to stereochemistry. Addressing this knowledge gap requires an interdisciplinary synthesis, and the development of sensitive and selective analytical tools. Here we describe SAM (stereoselective antimicrobial metabolism) workflow, a novel interdisciplinary approach for assessing bacterial resistance mechanisms in the context of A-B interactions that utilise a combination of whole genome sequencing and mass spectrometry. Chloramphenicol was used to provide proof-of-concept to demonstrate the importance of stereoselective metabolism by resistant environmental bacteria. Our data shows that chloramphenicol can be stereoselectively transformed via microbial metabolism with R,R-(-)-CAP being subject to extensive metabolic transformation by an environmental bacterial strain. In contrast S,S-(+)-CAP is not metabolised by this bacterial strain, possibly due to the lack of previous exposure to this isomer in the absence of historical selective pressure to evolve metabolic capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Edward J Feil
- The Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Ben Pascoe
- The Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Samuel K Sheppard
- The Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Jason Snape
- AstraZeneca Global Sustainability, Mereside, Macclesfield, United Kingdom
| | - William H Gaze
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, ESI, University of Exeter, Penryn, United Kingdom
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Jones DL, Baluja MQ, Graham DW, Corbishley A, McDonald JE, Malham SK, Hillary LS, Connor TR, Gaze WH, Moura IB, Wilcox MH, Farkas K. Shedding of SARS-CoV-2 in feces and urine and its potential role in person-to-person transmission and the environment-based spread of COVID-19. Sci Total Environ 2020; 749:141364. [PMID: 32836117 PMCID: PMC7836549 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 223] [Impact Index Per Article: 55.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
The recent detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in feces has led to speculation that it can be transmitted via the fecal-oral/ocular route. This review aims to critically evaluate the incidence of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, the quantity and infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 in feces and urine, and whether these pose an infection risk in sanitary settings, sewage networks, wastewater treatment plants, and the wider environment (e.g. rivers, lakes and marine waters). A review of 48 independent studies revealed that severe GI dysfunction is only evident in a small number of COVID-19 cases, with 11 ± 2% exhibiting diarrhea and 12 ± 3% exhibiting vomiting and nausea. In addition to these cases, SARS-CoV-2 RNA can be detected in feces from some asymptomatic, mildly- and pre-symptomatic individuals. Fecal shedding of the virus peaks in the symptomatic period and can persist for several weeks, but with declining abundances in the post-symptomatic phase. SARS-CoV-2 RNA is occasionally detected in urine, but reports in fecal samples are more frequent. The abundance of the virus genetic material in both urine (ca. 102-105 gc/ml) and feces (ca. 102-107 gc/ml) is much lower than in nasopharyngeal fluids (ca. 105-1011 gc/ml). There is strong evidence of multiplication of SARS-CoV-2 in the gut and infectious virus has occasionally been recovered from both urine and stool samples. The level and infectious capability of SARS-CoV-2 in vomit remain unknown. In comparison to enteric viruses transmitted via the fecal-oral route (e.g. norovirus, adenovirus), the likelihood of SARS-CoV-2 being transmitted via feces or urine appears much lower due to the lower relative amounts of virus present in feces/urine. The biggest risk of transmission will occur in clinical and care home settings where secondary handling of people and urine/fecal matter occurs. In addition, while SARS-CoV-2 RNA genetic material can be detected by in wastewater, this signal is greatly reduced by conventional treatment. Our analysis also suggests the likelihood of infection due to contact with sewage-contaminated water (e.g. swimming, surfing, angling) or food (e.g. salads, shellfish) is extremely low or negligible based on very low predicted abundances and limited environmental survival of SARS-CoV-2. These conclusions are corroborated by the fact that tens of million cases of COVID-19 have occurred globally, but exposure to feces or wastewater has never been implicated as a transmission vector.
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Affiliation(s)
- David L Jones
- Centre for Environmental Biotechnology, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK; UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia.
| | | | - David W Graham
- School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Alexander Corbishley
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Easter Bush Campus Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - James E McDonald
- Centre for Environmental Biotechnology, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Shelagh K Malham
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5AB, UK
| | - Luke S Hillary
- Centre for Environmental Biotechnology, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Thomas R Connor
- Organisms and Environment Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK; Public Health Wales, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff CF14 4XW, UK
| | - William H Gaze
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, ESI, Penryn Campus, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Ines B Moura
- Leeds Institute for Medical Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds LS1 3EX, UK
| | - Mark H Wilcox
- Healthcare Associated Infections Research Group, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Kata Farkas
- Centre for Environmental Biotechnology, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK; School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5AB, UK
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20
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Jones DL, Baluja MQ, Graham DW, Corbishley A, McDonald JE, Malham SK, Hillary LS, Connor TR, Gaze WH, Moura IB, Wilcox MH, Farkas K. Shedding of SARS-CoV-2 in feces and urine and its potential role in person-to-person transmission and the environment-based spread of COVID-19. Sci Total Environ 2020; 749:141364. [PMID: 32836117 DOI: 10.20944/preprints202007.0471.v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The recent detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in feces has led to speculation that it can be transmitted via the fecal-oral/ocular route. This review aims to critically evaluate the incidence of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, the quantity and infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 in feces and urine, and whether these pose an infection risk in sanitary settings, sewage networks, wastewater treatment plants, and the wider environment (e.g. rivers, lakes and marine waters). A review of 48 independent studies revealed that severe GI dysfunction is only evident in a small number of COVID-19 cases, with 11 ± 2% exhibiting diarrhea and 12 ± 3% exhibiting vomiting and nausea. In addition to these cases, SARS-CoV-2 RNA can be detected in feces from some asymptomatic, mildly- and pre-symptomatic individuals. Fecal shedding of the virus peaks in the symptomatic period and can persist for several weeks, but with declining abundances in the post-symptomatic phase. SARS-CoV-2 RNA is occasionally detected in urine, but reports in fecal samples are more frequent. The abundance of the virus genetic material in both urine (ca. 102-105 gc/ml) and feces (ca. 102-107 gc/ml) is much lower than in nasopharyngeal fluids (ca. 105-1011 gc/ml). There is strong evidence of multiplication of SARS-CoV-2 in the gut and infectious virus has occasionally been recovered from both urine and stool samples. The level and infectious capability of SARS-CoV-2 in vomit remain unknown. In comparison to enteric viruses transmitted via the fecal-oral route (e.g. norovirus, adenovirus), the likelihood of SARS-CoV-2 being transmitted via feces or urine appears much lower due to the lower relative amounts of virus present in feces/urine. The biggest risk of transmission will occur in clinical and care home settings where secondary handling of people and urine/fecal matter occurs. In addition, while SARS-CoV-2 RNA genetic material can be detected by in wastewater, this signal is greatly reduced by conventional treatment. Our analysis also suggests the likelihood of infection due to contact with sewage-contaminated water (e.g. swimming, surfing, angling) or food (e.g. salads, shellfish) is extremely low or negligible based on very low predicted abundances and limited environmental survival of SARS-CoV-2. These conclusions are corroborated by the fact that tens of million cases of COVID-19 have occurred globally, but exposure to feces or wastewater has never been implicated as a transmission vector.
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Affiliation(s)
- David L Jones
- Centre for Environmental Biotechnology, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK; UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia.
| | | | - David W Graham
- School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Alexander Corbishley
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Easter Bush Campus Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - James E McDonald
- Centre for Environmental Biotechnology, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Shelagh K Malham
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5AB, UK
| | - Luke S Hillary
- Centre for Environmental Biotechnology, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Thomas R Connor
- Organisms and Environment Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK; Public Health Wales, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff CF14 4XW, UK
| | - William H Gaze
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, ESI, Penryn Campus, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Ines B Moura
- Leeds Institute for Medical Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds LS1 3EX, UK
| | - Mark H Wilcox
- Healthcare Associated Infections Research Group, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Kata Farkas
- Centre for Environmental Biotechnology, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK; School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5AB, UK
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21
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Jones DL, Baluja MQ, Graham DW, Corbishley A, McDonald JE, Malham SK, Hillary LS, Connor TR, Gaze WH, Moura IB, Wilcox MH, Farkas K. Shedding of SARS-CoV-2 in feces and urine and its potential role in person-to-person transmission and the environment-based spread of COVID-19. Sci Total Environ 2020. [PMID: 32836117 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141364pmid-32836117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The recent detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in feces has led to speculation that it can be transmitted via the fecal-oral/ocular route. This review aims to critically evaluate the incidence of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, the quantity and infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 in feces and urine, and whether these pose an infection risk in sanitary settings, sewage networks, wastewater treatment plants, and the wider environment (e.g. rivers, lakes and marine waters). A review of 48 independent studies revealed that severe GI dysfunction is only evident in a small number of COVID-19 cases, with 11 ± 2% exhibiting diarrhea and 12 ± 3% exhibiting vomiting and nausea. In addition to these cases, SARS-CoV-2 RNA can be detected in feces from some asymptomatic, mildly- and pre-symptomatic individuals. Fecal shedding of the virus peaks in the symptomatic period and can persist for several weeks, but with declining abundances in the post-symptomatic phase. SARS-CoV-2 RNA is occasionally detected in urine, but reports in fecal samples are more frequent. The abundance of the virus genetic material in both urine (ca. 102-105 gc/ml) and feces (ca. 102-107 gc/ml) is much lower than in nasopharyngeal fluids (ca. 105-1011 gc/ml). There is strong evidence of multiplication of SARS-CoV-2 in the gut and infectious virus has occasionally been recovered from both urine and stool samples. The level and infectious capability of SARS-CoV-2 in vomit remain unknown. In comparison to enteric viruses transmitted via the fecal-oral route (e.g. norovirus, adenovirus), the likelihood of SARS-CoV-2 being transmitted via feces or urine appears much lower due to the lower relative amounts of virus present in feces/urine. The biggest risk of transmission will occur in clinical and care home settings where secondary handling of people and urine/fecal matter occurs. In addition, while SARS-CoV-2 RNA genetic material can be detected by in wastewater, this signal is greatly reduced by conventional treatment. Our analysis also suggests the likelihood of infection due to contact with sewage-contaminated water (e.g. swimming, surfing, angling) or food (e.g. salads, shellfish) is extremely low or negligible based on very low predicted abundances and limited environmental survival of SARS-CoV-2. These conclusions are corroborated by the fact that tens of million cases of COVID-19 have occurred globally, but exposure to feces or wastewater has never been implicated as a transmission vector.
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Affiliation(s)
- David L Jones
- Centre for Environmental Biotechnology, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK; UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia.
| | | | - David W Graham
- School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Alexander Corbishley
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Easter Bush Campus Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - James E McDonald
- Centre for Environmental Biotechnology, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Shelagh K Malham
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5AB, UK
| | - Luke S Hillary
- Centre for Environmental Biotechnology, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Thomas R Connor
- Organisms and Environment Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK; Public Health Wales, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff CF14 4XW, UK
| | - William H Gaze
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, ESI, Penryn Campus, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Ines B Moura
- Leeds Institute for Medical Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds LS1 3EX, UK
| | - Mark H Wilcox
- Healthcare Associated Infections Research Group, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Kata Farkas
- Centre for Environmental Biotechnology, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK; School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5AB, UK
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Landrigan PJ, Stegeman JJ, Fleming LE, Allemand D, Anderson DM, Backer LC, Brucker-Davis F, Chevalier N, Corra L, Czerucka D, Bottein MYD, Demeneix B, Depledge M, Deheyn DD, Dorman CJ, Fénichel P, Fisher S, Gaill F, Galgani F, Gaze WH, Giuliano L, Grandjean P, Hahn ME, Hamdoun A, Hess P, Judson B, Laborde A, McGlade J, Mu J, Mustapha A, Neira M, Noble RT, Pedrotti ML, Reddy C, Rocklöv J, Scharler UM, Shanmugam H, Taghian G, van de Water JA, Vezzulli L, Weihe P, Zeka A, Raps H, Rampal P. Human Health and Ocean Pollution. Ann Glob Health 2020; 86:151. [PMID: 33354517 PMCID: PMC7731724 DOI: 10.5334/aogh.2831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pollution - unwanted waste released to air, water, and land by human activity - is the largest environmental cause of disease in the world today. It is responsible for an estimated nine million premature deaths per year, enormous economic losses, erosion of human capital, and degradation of ecosystems. Ocean pollution is an important, but insufficiently recognized and inadequately controlled component of global pollution. It poses serious threats to human health and well-being. The nature and magnitude of these impacts are only beginning to be understood. Goals (1) Broadly examine the known and potential impacts of ocean pollution on human health. (2) Inform policy makers, government leaders, international organizations, civil society, and the global public of these threats. (3) Propose priorities for interventions to control and prevent pollution of the seas and safeguard human health. Methods Topic-focused reviews that examine the effects of ocean pollution on human health, identify gaps in knowledge, project future trends, and offer evidence-based guidance for effective intervention. Environmental Findings Pollution of the oceans is widespread, worsening, and in most countries poorly controlled. It is a complex mixture of toxic metals, plastics, manufactured chemicals, petroleum, urban and industrial wastes, pesticides, fertilizers, pharmaceutical chemicals, agricultural runoff, and sewage. More than 80% arises from land-based sources. It reaches the oceans through rivers, runoff, atmospheric deposition and direct discharges. It is often heaviest near the coasts and most highly concentrated along the coasts of low- and middle-income countries. Plastic is a rapidly increasing and highly visible component of ocean pollution, and an estimated 10 million metric tons of plastic waste enter the seas each year. Mercury is the metal pollutant of greatest concern in the oceans; it is released from two main sources - coal combustion and small-scale gold mining. Global spread of industrialized agriculture with increasing use of chemical fertilizer leads to extension of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) to previously unaffected regions. Chemical pollutants are ubiquitous and contaminate seas and marine organisms from the high Arctic to the abyssal depths. Ecosystem Findings Ocean pollution has multiple negative impacts on marine ecosystems, and these impacts are exacerbated by global climate change. Petroleum-based pollutants reduce photosynthesis in marine microorganisms that generate oxygen. Increasing absorption of carbon dioxide into the seas causes ocean acidification, which destroys coral reefs, impairs shellfish development, dissolves calcium-containing microorganisms at the base of the marine food web, and increases the toxicity of some pollutants. Plastic pollution threatens marine mammals, fish, and seabirds and accumulates in large mid-ocean gyres. It breaks down into microplastic and nanoplastic particles containing multiple manufactured chemicals that can enter the tissues of marine organisms, including species consumed by humans. Industrial releases, runoff, and sewage increase frequency and severity of HABs, bacterial pollution, and anti-microbial resistance. Pollution and sea surface warming are triggering poleward migration of dangerous pathogens such as the Vibrio species. Industrial discharges, pharmaceutical wastes, pesticides, and sewage contribute to global declines in fish stocks. Human Health Findings Methylmercury and PCBs are the ocean pollutants whose human health effects are best understood. Exposures of infants in utero to these pollutants through maternal consumption of contaminated seafood can damage developing brains, reduce IQ and increase children's risks for autism, ADHD and learning disorders. Adult exposures to methylmercury increase risks for cardiovascular disease and dementia. Manufactured chemicals - phthalates, bisphenol A, flame retardants, and perfluorinated chemicals, many of them released into the seas from plastic waste - can disrupt endocrine signaling, reduce male fertility, damage the nervous system, and increase risk of cancer. HABs produce potent toxins that accumulate in fish and shellfish. When ingested, these toxins can cause severe neurological impairment and rapid death. HAB toxins can also become airborne and cause respiratory disease. Pathogenic marine bacteria cause gastrointestinal diseases and deep wound infections. With climate change and increasing pollution, risk is high that Vibrio infections, including cholera, will increase in frequency and extend to new areas. All of the health impacts of ocean pollution fall disproportionately on vulnerable populations in the Global South - environmental injustice on a planetary scale. Conclusions Ocean pollution is a global problem. It arises from multiple sources and crosses national boundaries. It is the consequence of reckless, shortsighted, and unsustainable exploitation of the earth's resources. It endangers marine ecosystems. It impedes the production of atmospheric oxygen. Its threats to human health are great and growing, but still incompletely understood. Its economic costs are only beginning to be counted.Ocean pollution can be prevented. Like all forms of pollution, ocean pollution can be controlled by deploying data-driven strategies based on law, policy, technology, and enforcement that target priority pollution sources. Many countries have used these tools to control air and water pollution and are now applying them to ocean pollution. Successes achieved to date demonstrate that broader control is feasible. Heavily polluted harbors have been cleaned, estuaries rejuvenated, and coral reefs restored.Prevention of ocean pollution creates many benefits. It boosts economies, increases tourism, helps restore fisheries, and improves human health and well-being. It advances the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). These benefits will last for centuries. Recommendations World leaders who recognize the gravity of ocean pollution, acknowledge its growing dangers, engage civil society and the global public, and take bold, evidence-based action to stop pollution at source will be critical to preventing ocean pollution and safeguarding human health.Prevention of pollution from land-based sources is key. Eliminating coal combustion and banning all uses of mercury will reduce mercury pollution. Bans on single-use plastic and better management of plastic waste reduce plastic pollution. Bans on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have reduced pollution by PCBs and DDT. Control of industrial discharges, treatment of sewage, and reduced applications of fertilizers have mitigated coastal pollution and are reducing frequency of HABs. National, regional and international marine pollution control programs that are adequately funded and backed by strong enforcement have been shown to be effective. Robust monitoring is essential to track progress.Further interventions that hold great promise include wide-scale transition to renewable fuels; transition to a circular economy that creates little waste and focuses on equity rather than on endless growth; embracing the principles of green chemistry; and building scientific capacity in all countries.Designation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) will safeguard critical ecosystems, protect vulnerable fish stocks, and enhance human health and well-being. Creation of MPAs is an important manifestation of national and international commitment to protecting the health of the seas.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John J. Stegeman
- Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, US
| | - Lora E. Fleming
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, GB
- University of Exeter Medical School, GB
| | | | - Donald M. Anderson
- Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, US
| | | | | | - Nicolas Chevalier
- Université Côte d’Azur, FR
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Inserm, C3M, FR
| | - Lilian Corra
- International Society of Doctors for the Environment (ISDE), CH
- Health and Environment of the Global Alliance on Health and Pollution (GAHP), AR
| | | | - Marie-Yasmine Dechraoui Bottein
- Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, FR
- IOC Science and Communication Centre on Harmful Algae, University of Copenhagen, DK
- Ecotoxicologie et développement durable expertise ECODD, Valbonne, FR
| | - Barbara Demeneix
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, FR
- Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, FR
| | | | - Dimitri D. Deheyn
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, US
| | | | - Patrick Fénichel
- Université Côte d’Azur, FR
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Inserm, C3M, FR
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Mark E. Hahn
- Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, US
| | | | - Philipp Hess
- Institut Français de Recherche pour l’Exploitation des Mers, FR
| | | | | | - Jacqueline McGlade
- Institute for Global Prosperity, University College London, GB
- Strathmore University Business School, Nairobi, KE
| | | | - Adetoun Mustapha
- Nigerian Institute for Medical Research, Lagos, NG
- Imperial College London, GB
| | | | | | | | - Christopher Reddy
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, US
| | - Joacim Rocklöv
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Section of Sustainable Health, Umeå University, Umeå, SE
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Pál Weihe
- University of the Faroe Islands and Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, FO
| | | | - Hervé Raps
- Centre Scientifique de Monaco, MC
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Health and Sustainable Development, MC
| | - Patrick Rampal
- Centre Scientifique de Monaco, MC
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Health and Sustainable Development, MC
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Marano RBM, Fernandes T, Manaia CM, Nunes O, Morrison D, Berendonk TU, Kreuzinger N, Tenson T, Corno G, Fatta-Kassinos D, Merlin C, Topp E, Jurkevitch E, Henn L, Scott A, Heß S, Slipko K, Laht M, Kisand V, Di Cesare A, Karaolia P, Michael SG, Petre AL, Rosal R, Pruden A, Riquelme V, Agüera A, Esteban B, Luczkiewicz A, Kalinowska A, Leonard A, Gaze WH, Adegoke AA, Stenstrom TA, Pollice A, Salerno C, Schwermer CU, Krzeminski P, Guilloteau H, Donner E, Drigo B, Libralato G, Guida M, Bürgmann H, Beck K, Garelick H, Tacão M, Henriques I, Martínez-Alcalá I, Guillén-Navarro JM, Popowska M, Piotrowska M, Quintela-Baluja M, Bunce JT, Polo-López MI, Nahim-Granados S, Pons MN, Milakovic M, Udikovic-Kolic N, Ory J, Ousmane T, Caballero P, Oliver A, Rodriguez-Mozaz S, Balcazar JL, Jäger T, Schwartz T, Yang Y, Zou S, Lee Y, Yoon Y, Herzog B, Mayrhofer H, Prakash O, Nimonkar Y, Heath E, Baraniak A, Abreu-Silva J, Choudhury M, Munoz LP, Krizanovic S, Brunetti G, Maile-Moskowitz A, Brown C, Cytryn E. A global multinational survey of cefotaxime-resistant coliforms in urban wastewater treatment plants. Environ Int 2020; 144:106035. [PMID: 32835921 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Revised: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The World Health Organization Global Action Plan recommends integrated surveillance programs as crucial strategies for monitoring antibiotic resistance. Although several national surveillance programs are in place for clinical and veterinary settings, no such schemes exist for monitoring antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the environment. In this transnational study, we developed, validated, and tested a low-cost surveillance and easy to implement approach to evaluate antibiotic resistance in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) by targeting cefotaxime-resistant (CTX-R) coliforms as indicators. The rationale for this approach was: i) coliform quantification methods are internationally accepted as indicators of fecal contamination in recreational waters and are therefore routinely applied in analytical labs; ii) CTX-R coliforms are clinically relevant, associated with extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs), and are rare in pristine environments. We analyzed 57 WWTPs in 22 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and North America. CTX-R coliforms were ubiquitous in raw sewage and their relative abundance varied significantly (<0.1% to 38.3%), being positively correlated (p < 0.001) with regional atmospheric temperatures. Although most WWTPs removed large proportions of CTX-R coliforms, loads over 103 colony-forming units per mL were occasionally observed in final effluents. We demonstrate that CTX-R coliform monitoring is a feasible and affordable approach to assess wastewater antibiotic resistance status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto B M Marano
- Department of Agroecology and Plant Health, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel; Department of Soil Chemistry, Plant Nutrition and Microbiology, Institute of Soil Water and Environmental Sciences, Volcani Center, Agricultural Research Organization, Rishon Lezion, Israel
| | - Telma Fernandes
- Universidade Católica Portuguesa, CBQF - Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina - Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Rua Arquiteto Lobão Vital, 172, 4200-374 Porto, Portugal
| | - Célia M Manaia
- Universidade Católica Portuguesa, CBQF - Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina - Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Rua Arquiteto Lobão Vital, 172, 4200-374 Porto, Portugal
| | - Olga Nunes
- LEPABE, Laboratório de Engenharia de Processos, Ambiente, Biotecnologia e Energia, Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Donald Morrison
- School Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, EH11 4BN, UK
| | | | - Norbert Kreuzinger
- Vienna University of Technology, Institute for Water Quality and Resources Management, Vienna, Austria
| | - Tanel Tenson
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Estonia
| | - Gianluca Corno
- CNR-IRSA Molecular Ecology Group, Largo Tonolli 50, 28922 Verbania, Italy
| | - Despo Fatta-Kassinos
- Civil and Environmental Engineering Department and Nireas International Water Research Center, University of Cyprus, P.O. Box 20537, CY-1678 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | | | - Edward Topp
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, London Research and Development Centre (ON), Canada; Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Edouard Jurkevitch
- Department of Agroecology and Plant Health, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Leonie Henn
- School Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, EH11 4BN, UK
| | - Andrew Scott
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, London Research and Development Centre (ON), Canada
| | - Stefanie Heß
- Institute of Hydrobiology, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Institute of Microbiology, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Katarzyna Slipko
- Vienna University of Technology, Institute for Water Quality and Resources Management, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mailis Laht
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Estonia; Estonian Environmental Research Centre, Estonia
| | - Veljo Kisand
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Estonia
| | - Andrea Di Cesare
- CNR-IRSA Molecular Ecology Group, Largo Tonolli 50, 28922 Verbania, Italy
| | - Popi Karaolia
- Civil and Environmental Engineering Department and Nireas International Water Research Center, University of Cyprus, P.O. Box 20537, CY-1678 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Stella G Michael
- Civil and Environmental Engineering Department and Nireas International Water Research Center, University of Cyprus, P.O. Box 20537, CY-1678 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Alice L Petre
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Alcalá, E-28871 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Roberto Rosal
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Alcalá, E-28871 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Amy Pruden
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Virginia Riquelme
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Ana Agüera
- Solar Energy Research Centre (CIESOL), Joint Centre University of Almería-CIEMAT, 04120 Almería, Spain
| | - Belen Esteban
- Solar Energy Research Centre (CIESOL), Joint Centre University of Almería-CIEMAT, 04120 Almería, Spain
| | - Aneta Luczkiewicz
- Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Gdansk University of Technology, G. Narutowicza 11/12 street, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Kalinowska
- Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Gdansk University of Technology, G. Narutowicza 11/12 street, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Anne Leonard
- University of Exeter Medical School, European Centre for Environment and Human Health, Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn campus, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - William H Gaze
- University of Exeter Medical School, European Centre for Environment and Human Health, Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn campus, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Anthony A Adegoke
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban South Africa; Department of Microbiology, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria
| | - Thor A Stenstrom
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban South Africa
| | | | | | - Carsten U Schwermer
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Gaustadalléen 21, N-0349 Oslo, Norway
| | - Pawel Krzeminski
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Gaustadalléen 21, N-0349 Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Erica Donner
- Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
| | - Barbara Drigo
- Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
| | - Giovanni Libralato
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, via Cinthia 21, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Guida
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, via Cinthia 21, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Helmut Bürgmann
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 6047 Kastanienbaum, Switzerland
| | - Karin Beck
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 6047 Kastanienbaum, Switzerland
| | - Hemda Garelick
- Department of Natural Sciences, Middlesex University, London NW4 4BT, UK
| | - Marta Tacão
- CESAM and Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Portugal
| | - Isabel Henriques
- CESAM and Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Portugal; University of Coimbra, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Isabel Martínez-Alcalá
- Department of Civil Engineering, Av. de los Jerónimos, 135, 30107 Guadalupe, Murcia, Spain
| | - Jose M Guillén-Navarro
- Department of Civil Engineering, Av. de los Jerónimos, 135, 30107 Guadalupe, Murcia, Spain
| | - Magdalena Popowska
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Applied Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marta Piotrowska
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Applied Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Joshua T Bunce
- School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Maria I Polo-López
- Solar Energy Research Centre (CIESOL), Joint Centre University of Almería-CIEMAT, 04120 Almería, Spain; Plataforma Solar de Almería - CIEMAT, P.O. Box 22, 04200 Tabernas, Almería, Spain
| | - Samira Nahim-Granados
- Solar Energy Research Centre (CIESOL), Joint Centre University of Almería-CIEMAT, 04120 Almería, Spain; Plataforma Solar de Almería - CIEMAT, P.O. Box 22, 04200 Tabernas, Almería, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Jérôme Ory
- Laboratoire "Microorganisme: Génome et Environnement", Université Clermont Auvergne, BP 10448, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; CNRS, UMR 6023, LMGE, F-63170 Campus Universitaire des Cézeaux, Clermont-Ferrand, France; Service d'hygiène hospitalière, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Traore Ousmane
- Laboratoire "Microorganisme: Génome et Environnement", Université Clermont Auvergne, BP 10448, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; CNRS, UMR 6023, LMGE, F-63170 Campus Universitaire des Cézeaux, Clermont-Ferrand, France; Service d'hygiène hospitalière, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | | | - Antoni Oliver
- Laboratori EMATSA, Ctra Valls Km 3, 43130 Tarragona, Spain
| | | | - Jose L Balcazar
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), 17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Thomas Jäger
- Institute of Functional Interfaces (IFG), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Thomas Schwartz
- Institute of Functional Interfaces (IFG), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Ying Yang
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shichun Zou
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yunho Lee
- School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Younggun Yoon
- School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Bastian Herzog
- Chair of Urban Water Systems Engineering, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Germany
| | - Heidrun Mayrhofer
- Chair of Urban Water Systems Engineering, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Germany
| | - Om Prakash
- National Centre for Microbial Resource (NCMR), National Centre for Cell Science, Pune 411007, India
| | - Yogesh Nimonkar
- National Centre for Microbial Resource (NCMR), National Centre for Cell Science, Pune 411007, India
| | - Ester Heath
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Anna Baraniak
- National Medicines Institute, Department of Molecular Microbiology, Chelmska 30/34, 00-725 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joana Abreu-Silva
- Universidade Católica Portuguesa, CBQF - Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina - Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Rua Arquiteto Lobão Vital, 172, 4200-374 Porto, Portugal
| | - Manika Choudhury
- Department of Natural Sciences, Middlesex University, London NW4 4BT, UK
| | - Leonardo P Munoz
- Department of Natural Sciences, Middlesex University, London NW4 4BT, UK
| | | | - Gianluca Brunetti
- Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
| | | | - Connor Brown
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Eddie Cytryn
- Department of Soil Chemistry, Plant Nutrition and Microbiology, Institute of Soil Water and Environmental Sciences, Volcani Center, Agricultural Research Organization, Rishon Lezion, Israel.
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Murray AK, Stanton IC, Wright J, Zhang L, Snape J, Gaze WH. The 'SELection End points in Communities of bacTeria' (SELECT) Method: A Novel Experimental Assay to Facilitate Risk Assessment of Selection for Antimicrobial Resistance in the Environment. Environ Health Perspect 2020; 128:107007. [PMID: 33084388 PMCID: PMC7577113 DOI: 10.1289/ehp6635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most significant health threats to society. A growing body of research demonstrates selection for AMR likely occurs at environmental concentrations of antibiotics. However, no standardized experimental approaches for determining selective concentrations of antimicrobials currently exist, preventing appropriate environmental and human health risk assessment of AMR. OBJECTIVES We aimed to design a rapid, simple, and cost-effective novel experimental assay to determine selective effect concentrations of antibiotics and to generate the largest experimental data set of selective effect concentrations of antibiotics to date. METHODS Previously published methods and data were used to validate the assay, which determines the effect concentration based on reduction of bacterial community (wastewater) growth. Risk quotients for test antibiotics were generated to quantify risk. RESULTS The assay (SELection End points in Communities of bacTeria, or the SELECT method) was used to rapidly determine selective effect concentrations of antibiotics. These were in good agreement with quantitative polymerase chain reaction effect concentrations determined within the same experimental system. The SELECT method predicted no effect concentrations were minimally affected by changes in the assay temperature, growth media, or microbial community used as the inoculum. The predicted no effect concentrations for antibiotics tested ranged from 0.05μg/L for ciprofloxacin to 1,250μg/L for erythromycin. DISCUSSION The lack of evidence demonstrating environmental selection for AMR, and of associated human health risks, is a primary reason for the lack of action in the mitigation of release of antibiotics into the aquatic environment. We present a novel method that can reliably and rapidly fill this data gap to enable regulation and subsequent mitigation (where required) to lower the risk of selection for, and human exposure to, AMR in aquatic environments. In particular, ciprofloxacin and, to a lesser extent, azithromycin, cefotaxime, and trimethoprim all pose a significant risk for selection of AMR in the environment. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP6635.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimee K. Murray
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Cornwall, UK
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter Medical School, Cornwall, UK
| | - Isobel C. Stanton
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Cornwall, UK
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter Medical School, Cornwall, UK
| | - Jessica Wright
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Cornwall, UK
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter Medical School, Cornwall, UK
| | - Lihong Zhang
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Cornwall, UK
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter Medical School, Cornwall, UK
| | - Jason Snape
- AstraZeneca Global Environment, Macclesfield, UK
| | - William H. Gaze
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Cornwall, UK
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter Medical School, Cornwall, UK
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25
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Elder FCT, Feil EJ, Snape J, Gaze WH, Kasprzyk-Hordern B. The role of stereochemistry of antibiotic agents in the development of antibiotic resistance in the environment. Environ Int 2020; 139:105681. [PMID: 32251898 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance (ABR) is now recognised as a serious global health and economic threat that is most efficiently managed via a 'one health' approach incorporating environmental risk assessment. Although the environmental dimension of ABR has been largely overlooked, recent studies have underlined the importance of non-clinical settings in the emergence and spread of resistant strains. Despite this, several research gaps remain in regard to the development of a robust and fit-for-purpose environmental risk assessment for ABR drivers such as antibiotics (ABs). Here we explore the role the environment plays in the dissemination of ABR within the context of stereochemistry and its particular form, enantiomerism. Taking chloramphenicol as a proof of principle, we argue that stereoisomerism of ABs impacts on biological properties and the mechanisms of resistance and we discuss more broadly the importance of stereochemistry (enantiomerism in particular) with respect to antimicrobial potency and range of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicity C T Elder
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, BA27AY Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Edward J Feil
- The Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, BA27AY Bath, United Kingdom
| | - JasoN Snape
- AstraZeneca Global Safety, Health and Environment, Mereside, Macclesfield SK10, 4TG, United Kingdom
| | - William H Gaze
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3HD, United Kingdom
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Leonard AFC, Garside R, Ukoumunne OC, Gaze WH. A cross-sectional study on the prevalence of illness in coastal bathers compared to non-bathers in England and Wales: Findings from the Beach User Health Survey. Water Res 2020; 176:115700. [PMID: 32234605 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.115700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The risks of illness associated with bathing in UK coastal waters have not been quantified since the early 1990s. Efforts have been made since then to improve the quality of bathing waters. The aim of this study was to quantify the prevalence of symptoms of illness associated with sea bathing in bathers in England and Wales. A cross-sectional study was conducted between June 2014 and April 2015. An online survey collected information from sea bathers and non-bathers on their visits to beaches in England and Wales along with the occurrence of symptoms of illness. 2631 people (1693 bathers, 938 non-bathers) responded to the survey. Compared to non-bathers, bathers were more likely to report skin ailments (adjusted prevalence odds ratio (AOR) = 2.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23 to 5.65, p = 0.01), ear ailments (AOR = 3.77, 95% CI 1.84 to 7.73, p < 0.001), and any symptoms of illness (AOR = 3.73, 95% CI 2.63 to 5.29, p < 0.001). There was weak evidence of an increase in the odds of gastrointestinal illness (AOR = 1.59, 95% CI 0.96 to 2.65, p = 0.07), respiratory ailments (AOR = 2.44, 95% CI 0.92 to 6.48, p = 0.07) and eye ailments (AOR = 2.12, 95% CI 0.83 to 5.39, p = 0.11). While the study design does not allow inference of causality, we do observe an association between sea bathing in England and Wales and reported symptoms of ill health. This suggests that despite higher rates of compliance with water quality criteria among bathing waters nowadays, the odds of illness for bathers relative to non-bathers is similar in magnitude to estimates made in the 1990s.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne F C Leonard
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro, TR1 3HD, UK.
| | - Ruth Garside
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro, TR1 3HD, UK
| | - Obioha C Ukoumunne
- National Institute for Health Research Applied Research Collaboration South West Peninsula, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK
| | - William H Gaze
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro, TR1 3HD, UK.
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Stanton IC, Bethel A, Leonard AFC, Gaze WH, Garside R. What is the research evidence for antibiotic resistance exposure and transmission to humans from the environment? A systematic map protocol. Environ Evid 2020; 9:12. [PMID: 32518638 PMCID: PMC7268584 DOI: 10.1186/s13750-020-00197-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a public health crisis that is predicted to cause 10 million deaths per year by 2050. The environment has been implicated as a reservoir of AMR and is suggested to play a role in the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Currently, most research has focused on measuring concentrations of antibiotics and characterising the abundance and diversity of ARGs and antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) in the environment. To date, there has been limited empirical research on whether humans are exposed to this, and whether exposure can lead to measureable impacts on human health. Therefore, the objective of this work is to produce two linked systematic maps to investigate previous research on exposure and transmission of AMR to humans from the environment. The first map will investigate the available research relating to exposure and transmission of ARB/ARGs from the environment to humans on a global scale and the second will investigate the prevalence of ARB/ARGs in various environments in the UK. These two maps will be useful for policy makers and research funders to identify where there are significant gluts and gaps in the current research, and where more primary and synthesis research needs to be undertaken. METHODS Separate search strategies will be developed for the two maps. Searches will be run in 13 databases, and grey literature will be sought from key websites and engagement with experts. Hits will be managed in EndNote and screened in two stages (title/abstract then full text) against predefined inclusion criteria. A minimum of 10% will be double screened with ongoing consistency checking. All included studies will have data extracted into a bespoke form designed and piloted for each map. Data to be extracted will include bibliographic details, study design, location, exposure source, exposure route, health outcome (Map 1); and prevalence/percentage of ARB/ARG (Map 2). No validity appraisal will be undertaken. Results will be tabulated and presented narratively, together with graphics showing the types and areas of research that has been undertaken and heatmaps for key exposure-health outcomes (Map 1) and exposure-prevalence (Map 2).
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Affiliation(s)
- Isobel C. Stanton
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, College of Medicine and Health, Penryn Campus, University of Exeter, Penryn, TR10 9FE UK
| | - Alison Bethel
- College of Medicine and Health, St Luke’s Campus, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX1 1TX UK
| | - Anne F. C. Leonard
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, College of Medicine and Health, Penryn Campus, University of Exeter, Penryn, TR10 9FE UK
| | - William H. Gaze
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, College of Medicine and Health, Penryn Campus, University of Exeter, Penryn, TR10 9FE UK
| | - Ruth Garside
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, College of Medicine and Health, Knowledge Spa, University of Exeter, Truro, TR1 3HD UK
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Boase NJ, White MP, Gaze WH, Redshaw CH. Why don't the British eat locally harvested shellfish? The role of misconceptions and knowledge gaps. Appetite 2019; 143:104352. [PMID: 31319093 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2019.104352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2018] [Revised: 02/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Although the UK consumes a substantial amount of shellfish, most is imported (e.g. prawns), while locally harvested molluscs and crustaceans (e.g. mussels, crab) tend to be exported. This study aimed to investigate whether a low rate of local shellfish consumption in the UK is due to misunderstandings or knowledge gaps about the potential health and environmental risks and benefits of consumption. Following the Mental Models Approach, the present paper reveals: 1) qualitative results from 26 stakeholder/public interviews which identified 10 key misunderstandings and knowledge gaps, including incorrect beliefs about health risks and a lack of knowledge about the relative environmental benefits compared to other foods (key misunderstandings included some parts of a crab are poisonous if eaten, and the majority of UK shellfish is farmed), and 2) quantitative results from a survey (n = 1,433) that explored the degree to which these misunderstandings and knowledge gaps may influence consumption intentions in the wider UK population. Survey results suggested the number of misunderstandings and knowledge gaps significantly predicted shellfish consumption intentions even after controlling for demographics, food related values, and past consumption behaviour. Path analyses revealed their impact on intentions was partially mediated via Theory of Planned Behaviour variables. Results could inform information campaigns supporting consumers to make more informed decisions regarding a group of foods that are potentially both healthy and relatively environmentally friendly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick J Boase
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3HD, UK.
| | - Mathew P White
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3HD, UK.
| | - William H Gaze
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3HD, UK
| | - Clare H Redshaw
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3HD, UK
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Zhang L, Calvo-Bado L, Murray AK, Amos GCA, Hawkey PM, Wellington EM, Gaze WH. Novel clinically relevant antibiotic resistance genes associated with sewage sludge and industrial waste streams revealed by functional metagenomic screening. Environ Int 2019; 132:105120. [PMID: 31487611 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.105120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
A growing body of evidence indicates that anthropogenic activities can result in increased prevalence of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in bacteria in natural environments. Many environmental studies have used next-generation sequencing methods to sequence the metagenome. However, this approach is limited as it does not identify divergent uncharacterized genes or demonstrate activity. Characterization of ARGs in environmental metagenomes is important for understanding the evolution and dissemination of resistance, as there are several examples of clinically important resistance genes originating in environmental species. The current study employed a functional metagenomic approach to detect genes encoding resistance to extended spectrum β-lactams (ESBLs) and carbapenems in sewage sludge, sludge amended soil, quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) impacted reed bed sediment and less impacted long term curated grassland soil. ESBL and carbapenemase genes were detected in sewage sludge, sludge amended soils and QAC impacted soil with varying degrees of homology to clinically important β-lactamase genes. The flanking regions were sequenced to identify potential host background and genetic context. Novel β-lactamase genes were found in Gram negative bacteria, with one gene adjacent to an insertion sequence ISPme1, suggesting a recent mobilization event and/ the potential for future transfer. Sewage sludge and quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) rich industrial effluent appear to disseminate and/or select for ESBL genes which were not detected in long term curated grassland soils. This work confirms the natural environment as a reservoir of novel and mobilizable resistance genes, which may pose a threat to human and animal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK; European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, ESI, Penryn Campus, Cornwall, UK.
| | - L Calvo-Bado
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK; Micropathology Ltd, Venture Centre, Sir William Lyons Road, Coventry, UK
| | - A K Murray
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, ESI, Penryn Campus, Cornwall, UK
| | - G C A Amos
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK; National Institute for Biological Standards and Control
| | - P M Hawkey
- University of Birmingham, Division of Immunity & Infection, Birmingham, UK
| | - E M Wellington
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - W H Gaze
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK; European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, ESI, Penryn Campus, Cornwall, UK.
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Grenni P, Patrolecco L, Rauseo J, Spataro F, Di Lenola M, Aimola G, Zacchini M, Pietrini F, Di Baccio D, Stanton IC, Gaze WH, Barra Caracciolo A. Sulfamethoxazole persistence in a river water ecosystem and its effects on the natural microbial community and Lemna minor plant. Microchem J 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2019.103999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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Bürgmann H, Frigon D, H Gaze W, M Manaia C, Pruden A, Singer AC, F Smets B, Zhang T. Water and sanitation: an essential battlefront in the war on antimicrobial resistance. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2019; 94:5033400. [PMID: 29878227 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiy101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 05/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Water and sanitation represent a key battlefront in combatting the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Basic water sanitation infrastructure is an essential first step towards protecting public health, thereby limiting the spread of pathogens and the need for antibiotics. AMR presents unique human health risks, meriting new risk assessment frameworks specifically adapted to water and sanitation-borne AMR. There are numerous exposure routes to AMR originating from human waste, each of which must be quantified for its relative risk to human health. Wastewater treatment plants play a vital role in centralized collection and treatment of human sewage, but there are numerous unresolved issues in terms of the microbial ecological processes occurring within them and the extent to which they attenuate or amplify AMR. Research is needed to advance understanding of the fate of resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes in various waste management systems, depending on the local constraints and intended reuse applications. World Health Organization and national AMR action plans would benefit from a more holistic 'One Water' understanding. In this article we provide a framework for research, policy, practice and public engagement aimed at limiting the spread of AMR from water and sanitation in low-, medium- and high-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helmut Bürgmann
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Seestrasse 79, Kastanienbaum, 6047, Switzerland
| | - Dominic Frigon
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, 817 Sherbrooke Street West, Room 492, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 0C3, Canada
| | - William H Gaze
- European Center for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro, TR1 3HD, UK
| | - Célia M Manaia
- Universidade Católica Portuguesa, CBFQ- Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina - Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Rua Arquiteto Robão Vital, Apartado 2511, 4202-401 Porto, Portugal
| | - Amy Pruden
- Via Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, 418 Durham Hall, 1145 Perry Street, Blacksburg, Virginia, 24061, USA
| | - Andrew C Singer
- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Maclean Building, Benson Lane, Wallingford, OX10 8BB, UK
| | - Barth F Smets
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Miljøvej, DK 2800 Kgs., Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Tong Zhang
- Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Murray AK, Zhang L, Snape J, Gaze WH. Comparing the selective and co-selective effects of different antimicrobials in bacterial communities. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2019; 53:767-773. [PMID: 30885807 PMCID: PMC6546120 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2019.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Selective and co-selective effects of antimicrobials were compared for the first time. Ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim were more co-selective than selective. Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) did not select for antibiotic/metal/qac resistance genes. Metagenomics could identify highly co-selective compounds for further study.
Bacterial communities are exposed to a cocktail of antimicrobial agents, including antibiotics, heavy metals and biocidal antimicrobials such as quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs). The extent to which these compounds may select or co-select for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is not fully understood. In this study, human-associated, wastewater-derived bacterial communities were exposed to either benzalkonium chloride (BAC), ciprofloxacin or trimethoprim at sub-point-of-use concentrations for one week to determine selective and co-selective potential. Metagenome analyses were performed to determine effects on bacterial community structure and prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and metal or biocide resistance genes (MBRGS). Ciprofloxacin had the greatest co-selective potential, significantly enriching for resistance mechanisms to multiple antibiotic classes. Conversely, BAC exposure significantly reduced relative abundance of ARGs and MBRGS, including the well characterised qac efflux genes. However, BAC exposure significantly impacted bacterial community structure. Therefore BAC, and potentially other QACs, did not play as significant a role in co-selection for AMR as antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin at sub-point-of-use concentrations in this study. This approach can be used to identify priority compounds for further study, to better understand evolution of AMR in bacterial communities exposed to sub-point-of-use concentrations of antimicrobials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimee K Murray
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Environment & Sustainability Institute, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9FE.
| | - Lihong Zhang
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Environment & Sustainability Institute, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9FE
| | - Jason Snape
- AstraZeneca Global Environment, Alderly Park, Macclesfield
| | - William H Gaze
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Environment & Sustainability Institute, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9FE
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Leonard AFC, Singer A, Ukoumunne OC, Gaze WH, Garside R. Is it safe to go back into the water? A systematic review and meta-analysis of the risk of acquiring infections from recreational exposure to seawater. Int J Epidemiol 2019. [PMID: 29529201 PMCID: PMC5913622 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyx281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Numerous illnesses are associated with bathing in natural waters, although it is assumed that the risk of illness among bathers exposed to relatively clean waters found in high-income countries is negligible. A systematic review was carried out to quantify the increased risk of experiencing a range of adverse health outcomes among bathers exposed to coastal water compared with non-bathers. Methods In all 6919 potentially relevant titles and abstracts were screened, and from these 40 studies were eligible for inclusion in the review. Odds ratios (OR) were extracted from 19 of these reports and combined in random-effect meta-analyses for the following adverse health outcomes: incident cases of any illness, ear infections, gastrointestinal illness and infections caused by specific microorganisms. Results There is an increased risk of experiencing symptoms of any illness [OR = 1.86, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.31 to 2.64, P = 0.001] and ear ailments (OR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.49 to 2.82, P < 0.001) in bathers compared with non-bathers. There is also an increased risk of experiencing gastrointestinal ailments (OR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.12 to 1.49, P < 0.001). Conclusions This is the first systematic review to evaluate evidence on the increased risk of acquiring illnesses from bathing in seawater compared with non-bathers. Our results support the notion that infections are acquired from bathing in coastal waters, and that bathers have a greater risk of experiencing a variety of illnesses compared with non-bathers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne F C Leonard
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro, UK
| | | | - Obioha C Ukoumunne
- NIHR CLAHRC South West Peninsula (PenCLAHRC), University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | - William H Gaze
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro, UK
| | - Ruth Garside
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro, UK
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Leonard AFC, Yin XL, Zhang T, Hui M, Gaze WH. A coliform-targeted metagenomic method facilitating human exposure estimates to Escherichia coli-borne antibiotic resistance genes. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2019; 94:4875920. [PMID: 29471354 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiy024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance and the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) pose a threat to human health. Community-acquired infections resistant to treatment with first-line antibiotics are increasing, and there are few studies investigating environmental exposures and transmission. Our objective is to develop a novel targeted metagenomic method to quantify the abundance and diversity of ARGs in a faecal indicator bacterium, and to estimate human exposure to resistant bacteria in a natural environment. Sequence data from Escherichia coli metagenomes from 13 bathing waters in England were analysed using the ARGs Online Analysis Pipeline to estimate the abundance and diversity of resistance determinants borne by this indicator bacterium. These data were averaged over the 13 sites and used along with data on the levels of E. coli in English bathing waters in 2016 and estimates of the volume of water that water users typically ingest in an average session of their chosen activityto quantify the numbers of ARGs that water users ingest. Escherichia coli in coastal bathing waters were found to harbour on average 1.24 ARGs per cell. Approximately 2.5 million water sports sessions occurred in England in 2016 that resulted in water users ingesting at least 100 E. coli-borne ARGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- A F C Leonard
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, TR1 3HD, UK
| | - X L Yin
- Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong
| | - T Zhang
- Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong
| | - M Hui
- Department of Microbiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, 30-32 Ngan Shing Street, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
| | - W H Gaze
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, TR1 3HD, UK
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Djenadi K, Zhang L, Murray AK, Gaze WH. Carbapenem resistance in bacteria isolated from soil and water environments in Algeria. J Glob Antimicrob Resist 2018; 15:262-267. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2018.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Revised: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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Larsson DGJ, Andremont A, Bengtsson-Palme J, Brandt KK, de Roda Husman AM, Fagerstedt P, Fick J, Flach CF, Gaze WH, Kuroda M, Kvint K, Laxminarayan R, Manaia CM, Nielsen KM, Plant L, Ploy MC, Segovia C, Simonet P, Smalla K, Snape J, Topp E, van Hengel AJ, Verner-Jeffreys DW, Virta MPJ, Wellington EM, Wernersson AS. Critical knowledge gaps and research needs related to the environmental dimensions of antibiotic resistance. Environ Int 2018; 117:132-138. [PMID: 29747082 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.04.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 203] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2018] [Revised: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/21/2018] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
There is growing understanding that the environment plays an important role both in the transmission of antibiotic resistant pathogens and in their evolution. Accordingly, researchers and stakeholders world-wide seek to further explore the mechanisms and drivers involved, quantify risks and identify suitable interventions. There is a clear value in establishing research needs and coordinating efforts within and across nations in order to best tackle this global challenge. At an international workshop in late September 2017, scientists from 14 countries with expertise on the environmental dimensions of antibiotic resistance gathered to define critical knowledge gaps. Four key areas were identified where research is urgently needed: 1) the relative contributions of different sources of antibiotics and antibiotic resistant bacteria into the environment; 2) the role of the environment, and particularly anthropogenic inputs, in the evolution of resistance; 3) the overall human and animal health impacts caused by exposure to environmental resistant bacteria; and 4) the efficacy and feasibility of different technological, social, economic and behavioral interventions to mitigate environmental antibiotic resistance.1.
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Affiliation(s)
- D G Joakim Larsson
- Centre for Antibiotic Resistance Research (CARe), University of Gothenburg, Guldhedsgatan 10A, SE-413 46 Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Guldhedsdsgatan 10A, SE-413 46, Sweden.
| | - Antoine Andremont
- INSERM, IAME, UMR 1137, Paris, France; Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 75018 Paris, France
| | - Johan Bengtsson-Palme
- Centre for Antibiotic Resistance Research (CARe), University of Gothenburg, Guldhedsgatan 10A, SE-413 46 Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Guldhedsdsgatan 10A, SE-413 46, Sweden.
| | - Kristian Koefoed Brandt
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg, Denmark.
| | - Ana Maria de Roda Husman
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, PO Box 80175, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands; Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, PO Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
| | | | - Jerker Fick
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
| | - Carl-Fredrik Flach
- Centre for Antibiotic Resistance Research (CARe), University of Gothenburg, Guldhedsgatan 10A, SE-413 46 Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Guldhedsdsgatan 10A, SE-413 46, Sweden.
| | - William H Gaze
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3HD, UK.
| | - Makoto Kuroda
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 4-7-1 Gakuen, Musashimurayama, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan.
| | - Kristian Kvint
- Centre for Antibiotic Resistance Research (CARe), University of Gothenburg, Guldhedsgatan 10A, SE-413 46 Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Guldhedsdsgatan 10A, SE-413 46, Sweden.
| | | | - Celia M Manaia
- Universidade Católica Portuguesa, CBQF - Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina - Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Rua Arquiteto Lobão Vital, Apartado 2511, 4202-401 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Kaare Magne Nielsen
- Department of Life Sciences and Health, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, 0130 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Laura Plant
- Swedish Research Council, Box 1035, SE-101 38 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | | | - Carlos Segovia
- Unidad funcional de Acreditación de Institutos de Investigación Sanitaria, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain.
| | - Pascal Simonet
- Environmental Microbial Genomics Group, Laboratory Ampère, UMR CNRS 5005, École Centrale de Lyon, Université de Lyon, 36 avenue Guy de Collongue, 69134 Écully Cedex, France.
| | - Kornelia Smalla
- Julius Kühn-Institut, Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Epidemiology and Pathogen Diagnostics, Messeweg 11-12, 38104 Braunschweig, Germany.
| | - Jason Snape
- Global Environment, AstraZeneca, Cheshire SK10 4TF, UK; School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.
| | - Edward Topp
- London Research and Development Center, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N5V 4T3, Canada.
| | - Arjon J van Hengel
- Directorate Health, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, European Commission, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - David W Verner-Jeffreys
- Cefas Weymouth Laboratory, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UK.
| | - Marko P J Virta
- Department of Microbiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
| | | | - Ann-Sofie Wernersson
- Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management, Box 11 930, SE-404 39 Gothenburg, Sweden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Pursey
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Biosciences, Penryn, Cornwall, United Kingdom
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall, United Kingdom
| | - David Sünderhauf
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Biosciences, Penryn, Cornwall, United Kingdom
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall, United Kingdom
| | - William H. Gaze
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall, United Kingdom
| | - Edze R. Westra
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Biosciences, Penryn, Cornwall, United Kingdom
| | - Stineke van Houte
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Biosciences, Penryn, Cornwall, United Kingdom
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Leonard AFC, Zhang L, Balfour AJ, Garside R, Hawkey PM, Murray AK, Ukoumunne OC, Gaze WH. Exposure to and colonisation by antibiotic-resistant E. coli in UK coastal water users: Environmental surveillance, exposure assessment, and epidemiological study (Beach Bum Survey). Environ Int 2018; 114:326-333. [PMID: 29343413 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2017.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Revised: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) present a global public health problem. With numbers of community-acquired resistant infections increasing, understanding the mechanisms by which people are exposed to and colonised by ARB can help inform effective strategies to prevent their spread. The role natural environments play in this is poorly understood. This is the first study to combine surveillance of ARB in bathing waters, human exposure estimates and association between exposure and colonisation by ARB in water users. METHODS 97 bathing water samples from England and Wales were analysed for the proportion of E. coli harbouring blaCTX-M. These data were used to estimate the likelihood of water users ingesting blaCTX-M-bearing E. coli. Having identified surfers as being at risk of exposure to ARB, a cross-sectional study was conducted. Regular surfers and non-surfers were recruited to assess whether there is an association between surfing and gut colonisation by blaCTX-M-bearing E. coli. RESULTS 11 of 97 bathing waters sampled were found to contain blaCTX-M-bearing E. coli. While the percentage of blaCTX-M-bearing E. coli in bathing waters was low (0.07%), water users are at risk of ingesting these ARB. It is estimated that over 2.5 million water sports sessions occurred in 2015 resulting in the ingestion of at least one blaCTX-M-bearing E. coli. In the epidemiological survey, 9/143 (6.3%) surfers were colonised by blaCTX-M-bearing E. coli, as compared to 2/130 (1.5%) of non-surfers (risk ratio=4.09, 95% CI 1.02 to 16.4, p=0.046). CONCLUSIONS Surfers are at risk of exposure to and colonisation by clinically important antibiotic-resistant E. coli in coastal waters. Further research must be done on the role natural environments play in the transmission of ARB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne F C Leonard
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro TR1 3HD, UK.
| | - Lihong Zhang
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro TR1 3HD, UK.
| | - Andrew J Balfour
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro TR1 3HD, UK
| | - Ruth Garside
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro TR1 3HD, UK
| | - Peter M Hawkey
- Institution of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Aimee K Murray
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro TR1 3HD, UK
| | - Obioha C Ukoumunne
- National Institute for Health Research Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care South West Peninsula, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK
| | - William H Gaze
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro TR1 3HD, UK.
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Amos GCA, Ploumakis S, Zhang L, Hawkey PM, Gaze WH, Wellington EMH. The widespread dissemination of integrons throughout bacterial communities in a riverine system. ISME J 2018; 12:681-691. [PMID: 29374269 PMCID: PMC5864220 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-017-0030-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Revised: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 09/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Anthropogenic inputs increase levels of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the environment, however, it is unknown how these inputs create this observed increase, and if anthropogenic sources impact AMR in environmental bacteria. The aim of this study was to characterise the role of waste water treatment plants (WWTPs) in the dissemination of class 1 integrons (CL1s) in the riverine environment. Using sample sites from upstream and downstream of a WWTP, we demonstrate through isolation and culture-independent analysis that WWTP effluent significantly increases both CL1 abundance and antibiotic resistance in the riverine environment. Characterisation of CL1-bearing isolates revealed that CL1s were distributed across a diverse range of bacteria, with identical complex genetic resistance determinants isolated from both human-associated and common environmental bacteria across connected sites. Over half of sequenced CL1s lacked the 3′-conserved sequence ('atypical’ CL1s); surprisingly, bacteria carrying atypical CL1s were on average resistant to more antibiotics than bacteria carrying 3′-CS CL1s. Quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) resistance genes were observed across 75% of sequenced CL1 gene cassette arrays. Chemical data analysis indicated high levels of boron (a detergent marker) downstream of the WWTP. Subsequent phenotypic screening of CL1-bearing isolates demonstrated that ~90% were resistant to QAC detergents, with in vitro experiments demonstrating that QACs could solely select for the transfer of clinical antibiotic resistance genes to a naive Escherichia coli recipient. In conclusion, this study highlights the significant impact of WWTPs on environmental AMR, and demonstrates the widespread carriage of clinically important resistance determinants by environmentally associated bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lihong Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.,European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, UK
| | | | - William H Gaze
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.,European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, UK
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Furness LE, Campbell A, Zhang L, Gaze WH, McDonald RA. Wild small mammals as sentinels for the environmental transmission of antimicrobial resistance. Environ Res 2017; 154:28-34. [PMID: 28013185 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Revised: 12/13/2016] [Accepted: 12/14/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents a serious threat to human health worldwide. We have tested the use of free-living small mammals (mice, voles and shrews) as sentinels of variation in the distribution of AMR in the environment and the potential for transmission from the natural environment to animal hosts. Escherichia coli isolated from the faeces of small mammals trapped at paired coastal and inland sites were tested for resistance to four antibiotics: trimethoprim, ampicillin, ciprofloxacin and cefotaxime. Coastal individuals were over twice as likely to carry AMR E. coli than inland individuals (79% and 35% respectively), and both between-site and between-species variation was observed. Animals from coastal populations also excreted increased numbers of AMR E. coli and a greater diversity of E. coli phylotypes, including human-associated pathogenic strains. Small mammals appear to be useful bioindicators of fine-scale spatial variation in the distribution of AMR and, potentially, of the risks of AMR transmission to mammalian hosts, including humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E Furness
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK; European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3HD, UK
| | - Amy Campbell
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Lihong Zhang
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3HD, UK
| | - William H Gaze
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3HD, UK.
| | - Robbie A McDonald
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
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Salimraj R, Zhang L, Hinchliffe P, Wellington EMH, Brem J, Schofield CJ, Gaze WH, Spencer J. Structural and Biochemical Characterization of Rm3, a Subclass B3 Metallo-β-Lactamase Identified from a Functional Metagenomic Study. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2016; 60:5828-40. [PMID: 27431213 PMCID: PMC5038237 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00750-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2016] [Accepted: 07/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
β-Lactamase production increasingly threatens the effectiveness of β-lactams, which remain a mainstay of antimicrobial chemotherapy. New activities emerge through both mutation of previously known β-lactamases and mobilization from environmental reservoirs. The spread of metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) represents a particular challenge because of their typically broad-spectrum activities encompassing carbapenems, in addition to other β-lactam classes. Increasingly, genomic and metagenomic studies have revealed the distribution of putative MBLs in the environment, but in most cases their activity against clinically relevant β-lactams and, hence, the extent to which they can be considered a resistance reservoir remain uncharacterized. Here we characterize the product of one such gene, blaRm3, identified through functional metagenomic sampling of an environment with high levels of biocide exposure. blaRm3 encodes a subclass B3 MBL that, when expressed in a recombinant Escherichia coli strain, is exported to the bacterial periplasm and hydrolyzes clinically used penicillins, cephalosporins, and carbapenems with an efficiency limited by high Km values. An Rm3 crystal structure reveals the MBL superfamily αβ/βα fold, which more closely resembles that in mobilized B3 MBLs (AIM-1 and SMB-1) than other chromosomal enzymes (L1 or FEZ-1). A binuclear zinc site sits in a deep channel that is in part defined by a relatively extended N terminus. Structural comparisons suggest that the steric constraints imposed by the N terminus may limit its affinity for β-lactams. Sequence comparisons identify Rm3-like MBLs in numerous other environmental samples and species. Our data suggest that Rm3-like enzymes represent a distinct group of B3 MBLs with a wide distribution and can be considered an environmental reservoir of determinants of β-lactam resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramya Salimraj
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Lihong Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Philip Hinchliffe
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jürgen Brem
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - William H Gaze
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - James Spencer
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
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Cleary DW, Bishop AH, Zhang L, Topp E, Wellington EMH, Gaze WH. Long-term antibiotic exposure in soil is associated with changes in microbial community structure and prevalence of class 1 integrons. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2016; 92:fiw159. [DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiw159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Leonard AFC, Zhang L, Balfour AJ, Garside R, Gaze WH. Human recreational exposure to antibiotic resistant bacteria in coastal bathing waters. Environ Int 2015; 82:92-100. [PMID: 25832996 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2015.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2014] [Revised: 02/23/2015] [Accepted: 02/24/2015] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Infections caused by antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) are associated with poor health outcomes and are recognised globally as a serious health problem. Much research has been conducted on the transmission of ARB to humans. Yet the role the natural environment plays in the spread of ARB and antibiotic resistance genes is not well understood. Antibiotic resistant bacteria have been detected in natural aquatic environments, and ingestion of seawater during water sports is one route by which many people could be directly exposed. The aim was to estimate the prevalence of resistance to one clinically important class of antibiotics (third-generation cephalosporins (3GCs)) amongst Escherichia coli in coastal surface waters in England and Wales. Prevalence data was used to quantify ingestion of 3GC-resistant E. coli (3GCREC) by people participating in water sports in designated coastal bathing waters. A further aim was to use this value to derive a population-level estimate of exposure to these bacteria during recreational use of coastal waters in 2012. The prevalence of 3GC-resistance amongst E. coli isolated from coastal surface waters was estimated using culture-based methods. This was combined with the density of E. coli reported in designated coastal bathing waters along with estimations of the volumes of water ingested during various water sports reported in the literature to calculate the mean number of 3GCREC ingested during different water sports. 0.12% of E. coli isolated from surface waters were resistant to 3GCs. This value was used to estimate that in England and Wales over 6.3 million water sport sessions occurred in 2012 that resulted in the ingestion of at least one 3GCREC. Despite the low prevalence of resistance to 3GCs amongst E. coli in surface waters, there is an identifiable human exposure risk for water users, which varies with the type of water sport undertaken. The relative importance of this exposure is likely to be greater in areas where a large proportion of the population enjoys water sports. Millions of water sport sessions occurred in 2012 that were likely to have resulted in people ingesting E. coli resistant to a single class of antibiotics (3GCs). However, this is expected to be a significant underestimate of recreational exposure to all ARB in seawater. This is the first study to use volumes of water ingested during different water sports to estimate human exposure to ARB. Further work needs to be done to elucidate the health implications and clinical relevance of exposure to ARB in both marine and fresh waters in order to fully understand the risk to public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne F C Leonard
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3HD, UK.
| | - Lihong Zhang
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3HD, UK.
| | - Andrew J Balfour
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3HD, UK
| | - Ruth Garside
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3HD, UK.
| | - William H Gaze
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3HD, UK.
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Gillings MR, Gaze WH, Pruden A, Smalla K, Tiedje JM, Zhu YG. Using the class 1 integron-integrase gene as a proxy for anthropogenic pollution. ISME J 2014; 9:1269-79. [PMID: 25500508 PMCID: PMC4438328 DOI: 10.1038/ismej.2014.226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 763] [Impact Index Per Article: 76.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2014] [Revised: 09/18/2014] [Accepted: 10/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Around all human activity, there are zones of pollution with pesticides, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, personal care products and the microorganisms associated with human waste streams and agriculture. This diversity of pollutants, whose concentration varies spatially and temporally, is a major challenge for monitoring. Here, we suggest that the relative abundance of the clinical class 1 integron-integrase gene, intI1, is a good proxy for pollution because: (1) intI1 is linked to genes conferring resistance to antibiotics, disinfectants and heavy metals; (2) it is found in a wide variety of pathogenic and nonpathogenic bacteria; (3) its abundance can change rapidly because its host cells can have rapid generation times and it can move between bacteria by horizontal gene transfer; and (4) a single DNA sequence variant of intI1 is now found on a wide diversity of xenogenetic elements, these being complex mosaic DNA elements fixed through the agency of human selection. Here we review the literature examining the relationship between anthropogenic impacts and the abundance of intI1, and outline an approach by which intI1 could serve as a proxy for anthropogenic pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R Gillings
- Department of Biological Sciences, Genes to Geoscience Research Centre, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - William H Gaze
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, UK
| | - Amy Pruden
- Via Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Kornelia Smalla
- Institute for Epidemiology and Pathogen Diagnostics, Julius Kühn-Institut, Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - James M Tiedje
- Center for Microbial Ecology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Yong-Guan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, China
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Abstract
Objectives Multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae pose a significant threat to public health. We aimed to study the impact of sewage treatment effluent on antibiotic resistance reservoirs in a river. Methods River sediment samples were taken from downstream and upstream of a waste water treatment plant (WWTP) in 2009 and 2011. Third-generation cephalosporin (3GC)-resistant Enterobacteriaceae were enumerated. PCR-based techniques were used to elucidate mechanisms of resistance, with a new two-step PCR-based assay developed to investigate blaCTX-M-15 mobilization. Conjugation experiments and incompatibility replicon typing were used to investigate plasmid ecology. Results We report the first examples of blaCTX-M-15 in UK river sediment; the prevalence of blaCTX-M-15 was dramatically increased downstream of the WWTP. Ten novel genetic contexts for this gene were identified, carried in pathogens such as Escherichia coli ST131 as well as indigenous aquatic bacteria such as Aeromonas media. The blaCTX-M-15 gene was readily transferable to other Gram-negative bacteria. We also report the first finding of an imipenem-resistant E. coli in a UK river. Conclusions The high diversity and host range of novel genetic contexts proves that evolution of novel combinations of resistance genes is occurring at high frequency and has to date been significantly underestimated. We have identified a worrying reservoir of highly resistant enteric bacteria in the environment that poses a threat to human and animal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- G C A Amos
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - P M Hawkey
- Health Protection Agency, West Midlands Public Health Laboratory, Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, Bordesley Green East, Birmingham, UK Institute of Microbiology and Infection, Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - W H Gaze
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - E M Wellington
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
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Gaze WH, Krone SM, Larsson DGJ, Li XZ, Robinson JA, Simonet P, Smalla K, Timinouni M, Topp E, Wellington EM, Wright GD, Zhu YG. Influence of humans on evolution and mobilization of environmental antibiotic resistome. Emerg Infect Dis 2014; 19. [PMID: 23764294 PMCID: PMC3713965 DOI: 10.3201/eid1907.120871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The clinical failure of antimicrobial drugs that were previously effective in controlling infectious disease is a tragedy of increasing magnitude that gravely affects human health. This resistance by pathogens is often the endpoint of an evolutionary process that began billions of years ago in non–disease-causing microorganisms. This environmental resistome, its mobilization, and the conditions that facilitate its entry into human pathogens are at the heart of the current public health crisis in antibiotic resistance. Understanding the origins, evolution, and mechanisms of transfer of resistance elements is vital to our ability to adequately address this public health issue.
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Ashbolt NJ, Amézquita A, Backhaus T, Borriello P, Brandt KK, Collignon P, Coors A, Finley R, Gaze WH, Heberer T, Lawrence JR, Larsson DGJ, McEwen SA, Ryan JJ, Schönfeld J, Silley P, Snape JR, Van den Eede C, Topp E. Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA) for environmental development and transfer of antibiotic resistance. Environ Health Perspect 2013; 121:993-1001. [PMID: 23838256 PMCID: PMC3764079 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1206316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 385] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2012] [Accepted: 07/03/2013] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Only recently has the environment been clearly implicated in the risk of antibiotic resistance to clinical outcome, but to date there have been few documented approaches to formally assess these risks. OBJECTIVE We examined possible approaches and sought to identify research needs to enable human health risk assessments (HHRA) that focus on the role of the environment in the failure of antibiotic treatment caused by antibiotic-resistant pathogens. METHODS The authors participated in a workshop held 4-8 March 2012 in Québec, Canada, to define the scope and objectives of an environmental assessment of antibiotic-resistance risks to human health. We focused on key elements of environmental-resistance-development "hot spots," exposure assessment (unrelated to food), and dose response to characterize risks that may improve antibiotic-resistance management options. DISCUSSION Various novel aspects to traditional risk assessments were identified to enable an assessment of environmental antibiotic resistance. These include a) accounting for an added selective pressure on the environmental resistome that, over time, allows for development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB); b) identifying and describing rates of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in the relevant environmental "hot spot" compartments; and c) modifying traditional dose-response approaches to address doses of ARB for various health outcomes and pathways. CONCLUSIONS We propose that environmental aspects of antibiotic-resistance development be included in the processes of any HHRA addressing ARB. Because of limited available data, a multicriteria decision analysis approach would be a useful way to undertake an HHRA of environmental antibiotic resistance that informs risk managers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J Ashbolt
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Cincinnati, Ohio 45268, USA.
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Finley RL, Collignon P, Larsson DGJ, McEwen SA, Li XZ, Gaze WH, Reid-Smith R, Timinouni M, Graham DW, Topp E. The scourge of antibiotic resistance: the important role of the environment. Clin Infect Dis 2013. [PMID: 23723195 DOI: 10.1093/cid/cit1355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance and associated genes are ubiquitous and ancient, with most genes that encode resistance in human pathogens having originated in bacteria from the natural environment (eg, β-lactamases and fluoroquinolones resistance genes, such as qnr). The rapid evolution and spread of "new" antibiotic resistance genes has been enhanced by modern human activity and its influence on the environmental resistome. This highlights the importance of including the role of the environmental vectors, such as bacterial genetic diversity within soil and water, in resistance risk management. We need to take more steps to decrease the spread of resistance genes in environmental bacteria into human pathogens, to decrease the spread of resistant bacteria to people and animals via foodstuffs, wastes and water, and to minimize the levels of antibiotics and antibiotic-resistant bacteria introduced into the environment. Reducing this risk must include improved management of waste containing antibiotic residues and antibiotic-resistant microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita L Finley
- Centre for Food-borne, Environmental and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
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49
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Finley RL, Collignon P, Larsson DGJ, McEwen SA, Li XZ, Gaze WH, Reid-Smith R, Timinouni M, Graham DW, Topp E. The scourge of antibiotic resistance: the important role of the environment. Clin Infect Dis 2013; 57:704-10. [PMID: 23723195 DOI: 10.1093/cid/cit355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 363] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance and associated genes are ubiquitous and ancient, with most genes that encode resistance in human pathogens having originated in bacteria from the natural environment (eg, β-lactamases and fluoroquinolones resistance genes, such as qnr). The rapid evolution and spread of "new" antibiotic resistance genes has been enhanced by modern human activity and its influence on the environmental resistome. This highlights the importance of including the role of the environmental vectors, such as bacterial genetic diversity within soil and water, in resistance risk management. We need to take more steps to decrease the spread of resistance genes in environmental bacteria into human pathogens, to decrease the spread of resistant bacteria to people and animals via foodstuffs, wastes and water, and to minimize the levels of antibiotics and antibiotic-resistant bacteria introduced into the environment. Reducing this risk must include improved management of waste containing antibiotic residues and antibiotic-resistant microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita L Finley
- Centre for Food-borne, Environmental and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
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Wellington EMH, Boxall AB, Cross P, Feil EJ, Gaze WH, Hawkey PM, Johnson-Rollings AS, Jones DL, Lee NM, Otten W, Thomas CM, Williams AP. The role of the natural environment in the emergence of antibiotic resistance in gram-negative bacteria. Lancet Infect Dis 2013; 13:155-65. [PMID: 23347633 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(12)70317-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 606] [Impact Index Per Article: 55.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
During the past 10 years, multidrug-resistant Gram-negative Enterobacteriaceae have become a substantial challenge to infection control. It has been suggested by clinicians that the effectiveness of antibiotics is in such rapid decline that, depending on the pathogen concerned, their future utility can be measured in decades or even years. Unless the rise in antibiotic resistance can be reversed, we can expect to see a substantial rise in incurable infection and fatality in both developed and developing regions. Antibiotic resistance develops through complex interactions, with resistance arising by de-novo mutation under clinical antibiotic selection or frequently by acquisition of mobile genes that have evolved over time in bacteria in the environment. The reservoir of resistance genes in the environment is due to a mix of naturally occurring resistance and those present in animal and human waste and the selective effects of pollutants, which can co-select for mobile genetic elements carrying multiple resistant genes. Less attention has been given to how anthropogenic activity might be causing evolution of antibiotic resistance in the environment. Although the economics of the pharmaceutical industry continue to restrict investment in novel biomedical responses, action must be taken to avoid the conjunction of factors that promote evolution and spread of antibiotic resistance.
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