| Title | Rainfall increases the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes within a riverine microbial community |
| Abstract | Infections with antibiotic resistant bacteria are among the major threats for human health. Studies elucidating the role of the environment in their spread are still in their infancy, it, however, seems that different environments might function as a long-term reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) that reside within their microbial communities. An increasing number of studies target the presence and the persistence of ARGs in waters and soils that are exposed to human activities; they, however, rarely consider the spatial/temporal variability that predominate in these environments. Here we evaluated the effect of a moderate rain event (4 mm rain h-1) on the abundance and distribution of ARGs (tetA, ermB, blaCTXM, sulII, and qnrS), by comparing measurements of gene abundances during the rainfall to the yearly average, in the waters of a large subalpine river. ARG abundances, which all increased during the rain event, were then correlated to several microbiological, physical and chemical variables, in order to establish their potential origin. Increments in ARG abundances during rainfall (total ARGs: 24 fold) was concomitant to an increase in total phosphorous, N-NH4, and microbial aggregates. Our results show a strong influence of a moderate rainfall on the abundances of ARGs, and suggest the catchment as their source. The impact of moderate rainfalls in areas exposed to anthropic activities should then be considered in modelling and management of ARG dynamics. |
| Source | Environmental pollution (1987) 226, pp. 473–478 |
| Keywords | Anthropic impact; Antibiotic resistance; Rain; River microbial community; River pollution |
| Journal | Environmental pollution (1987) |
| Editor | Elsevier Applied Science Publishers, Barking, Regno Unito |
| Year | 2017 |
| Type | Articolo in rivista |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.04.036 |
| Authors | Di Cesare A.; Eckert E.M.; Rogora M.; Corno G. |
| Text | 381410 2017 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.04.036 Scopus 2 s2.0 85018643413 ISI Web of Science WOS 000405881800050 Anthropic impact; Antibiotic resistance; Rain; River microbial community; River pollution Rainfall increases the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes within a riverine microbial community Di Cesare A.; Eckert E.M.; Rogora M.; Corno G. Microbial Ecology Group MEG , National Research Council Institute of Ecosystem Study CNR ISE , Largo Tonolli, 50, Verbania, 28922, , Italy; National Research Council Institute of Ecosystem Study CNR ISE , Largo Tonolli, 50, Verbania, 28922, , Italy Infections with antibiotic resistant bacteria are among the major threats for human health. Studies elucidating the role of the environment in their spread are still in their infancy, it, however, seems that different environments might function as a long term reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes ARGs that reside within their microbial communities. An increasing number of studies target the presence and the persistence of ARGs in waters and soils that are exposed to human activities; they, however, rarely consider the spatial/temporal variability that predominate in these environments. Here we evaluated the effect of a moderate rain event 4 mm rain h 1 on the abundance and distribution of ARGs tetA, ermB, blaCTXM, sulII, and qnrS , by comparing measurements of gene abundances during the rainfall to the yearly average, in the waters of a large subalpine river. ARG abundances, which all increased during the rain event, were then correlated to several microbiological, physical and chemical variables, in order to establish their potential origin. Increments in ARG abundances during rainfall total ARGs 24 fold was concomitant to an increase in total phosphorous, N NH4, and microbial aggregates. Our results show a strong influence of a moderate rainfall on the abundances of ARGs, and suggest the catchment as their source. The impact of moderate rainfalls in areas exposed to anthropic activities should then be considered in modelling and management of ARG dynamics. 226 Published version http //www.scopus.com/record/display.url eid=2 s2.0 85018643413 origin=inward Di Cesare et al. 2017 Versione pubblicata Di Cesare et al EnvPoll 2017.pdf Articolo in rivista Elsevier Applied Science Publishers 0269 7491 Environmental pollution 1987 Environmental pollution 1987 Environ. pollut. 1987 Environmental pollution 1987 estermaria.eckert ECKERT ESTER MARIA michela.rogora ROGORA MICHELA gianluca.corno CORNO GIANLUCA andrea.dicesare DI CESARE ANDREA |
