| Title | Co-selection of antibiotic and heavy metal resistance in freshwater bacteria |
| Abstract | Antibiotic resistant bacteria are found in most environments, especially in highly anthropized waters. A direct correlation between human activities (e.g. pollution) and spread and persistence of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and resistance genes (ARGs) within the resident bacterial communities appears more and more obvious. Furthermore, the threat posed for human health by the presence of ARB and ARGs in these environments is enhanced by the risk of horizontal gene transfer of resistance genes to human pathogens. Although the knowledge on the spread of antibiotic resistances in waters is increasing, the understanding of the driving factors determining the selection for antibiotic resistance in the environment is still scarce. Antibiotic pollution is generally coupled with contamination by heavy metals (HMs) and other chemicals, which can also promote the development of resistance mechanisms, often through co-selecting for multiple resistances. The co-selection of heavy metal resistance genes and ARGs in waters, sediments, and soils, increases the complexity of the ecological role of ARGs, and reduces the effectiveness of control actions. In this mini-review we present the state-of-the-art of the research on antibiotic- and HM-resistance and their connection in the environment, with a focus on HM pollution and aquatic environments. We review the spread and the persistence of HMs and/or ARB, and how it influences their respective gene co-selection. In the last chapter, we propose Lake Orta, a system characterized by an intensive HM pollution followed by a successful restoration of the chemistry of the water column, as a study-site to evaluate the spread and selection of HMs and antibiotic resistances in heavily disturbed environments. |
| Source | Journal of limnology (Testo stamp.) 75 (2S), pp. 59–66 |
| Keywords | AnthropizationAntibiotic resistanceCo-selectionHeavy metalLake orta |
| Journal | Journal of limnology (Testo stamp.) |
| Editor | Istituto per lo Studio degli Ecosistemi., Verbania Pallanza, Italia |
| Year | 2016 |
| Type | Articolo in rivista |
| DOI | 10.4081/jlimnol.2016.1198 |
| Authors | Di Cesare A.; Eckert E.M.; Corno G. |
| Text | 386294 2016 10.4081/jlimnol.2016.1198 Scopus 2 s2.0 84959423747 Anthropization Antibiotic resistance Co selection Heavy metal Lake orta Co selection of antibiotic and heavy metal resistance in freshwater bacteria Di Cesare A.; Eckert E.M.; Corno G. Microbial Ecology Group, National Research Council, Institute of Ecosystem Study, Largo Tonolli 50, Verbania Pallanza, 28922, , Italy Antibiotic resistant bacteria are found in most environments, especially in highly anthropized waters. A direct correlation between human activities e.g. pollution and spread and persistence of antibiotic resistant bacteria ARB and resistance genes ARGs within the resident bacterial communities appears more and more obvious. Furthermore, the threat posed for human health by the presence of ARB and ARGs in these environments is enhanced by the risk of horizontal gene transfer of resistance genes to human pathogens. Although the knowledge on the spread of antibiotic resistances in waters is increasing, the understanding of the driving factors determining the selection for antibiotic resistance in the environment is still scarce. Antibiotic pollution is generally coupled with contamination by heavy metals HMs and other chemicals, which can also promote the development of resistance mechanisms, often through co selecting for multiple resistances. The co selection of heavy metal resistance genes and ARGs in waters, sediments, and soils, increases the complexity of the ecological role of ARGs, and reduces the effectiveness of control actions. In this mini review we present the state of the art of the research on antibiotic and HM resistance and their connection in the environment, with a focus on HM pollution and aquatic environments. We review the spread and the persistence of HMs and/or ARB, and how it influences their respective gene co selection. In the last chapter, we propose Lake Orta, a system characterized by an intensive HM pollution followed by a successful restoration of the chemistry of the water column, as a study site to evaluate the spread and selection of HMs and antibiotic resistances in heavily disturbed environments. 75 Published version http //www.scopus.com/inward/record.url eid=2 s2.0 84959423747 partnerID=q2rCbXpz Articolo 2016_Journal_of_Limnlogy_75_2s_59_66.pdf Articolo in rivista Istituto per lo Studio degli Ecosistemi. 1129 5767 Journal of limnology Testo stamp. Journal of limnology Testo stamp. J. limnol. Testo stamp. Journal of limnology. Testo stamp. gianluca.corno CORNO GIANLUCA andrea.dicesare DI CESARE ANDREA estermaria.eckert ECKERT ESTER MARIA |
