Prevalence and transmission of antibiotic resistance and microbiota between humans and water environments. (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhou, Zhen-Chao; Feng, Wan-Qiu; Han, Yue; Zheng, Ji; Chen, Tao; Wei, Yuan-Yuan; Gillings, Michael; Zhu, Yong-Guan; Chen, Hong
• Is Part Of: Environment international. Volume 121(2018)Part 2
• Page Start: 1155
• Page End: 1161
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: Peri-urban -- Aquatic -- Wastewater -- Drinking water -- Human -- Resistance; Environmental protection -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Environmental monitoring -- Periodicals; Environmental Monitoring -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Protection -- Périodiques; Hygiène du milieu -- Périodiques; Environnement -- Surveillance -- Périodiques; Environmental health; Environmental monitoring; Environmental protection; Periodicals; 333.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.10.032
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0160-4120

Abstract

Abstract: The transmission routes for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and microbiota between humans and water environments is poorly characterized. Here, we used high-throughput qPCR analyses and 16S rRNA gene sequencing to examine the occurrence and abundance of antibiotic resistance genes and microbiota in both healthy humans and associated water environments from a Chinese village. Humans carried the most diverse assemblage of ARGs, with 234 different ARGs being detected. The total abundance of ARGs in feces, on skin, and in the effluent from domestic sewage treatment systems were approximately 23, 2, and 7 times higher than their abundance in river samples. In total, 53 ARGs and 28 bacteria genera that were present in human feces could also be found in the influent and effluent of rural sewage treatment systems, and also downstream of the effluent release point. We identified the bacterial taxa that showed a significant association with ARGs (P < 0.01, r > 0.8) by network analysis, supporting the idea that these bacteria could carry some ARGs and transfer between humans and the environment. Analysis of ARGs and microbiota in humans and in water environments helps to define the transmission routes and dynamics of antibiotic resistance within these environments. This study highlights human contribution to the load of ARGs into the environment and suggests means to prevent such dissemination. Graphical abstract: Highlights: A total of 53 ARG subtypes were persistent in humans and water environments. ARGs were enriched in humans and could be disseminated into water environments. Co-occurrence of persistent ARGs and bacteria was defined by network analysis.