| Title | Anthropogenic pollution drives the bacterial resistome in a complex freshwater ecosystem |
| Abstract | Aquatic ecosystems in anthropogenically impacted areas are important reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) of allochthonous origin. However, the dynamics of the different ARGs within the bacterial communities of lakes and rivers, as well as the factors that drive their selection, are not completely understood. In this study, we analysed the fate of the bacterial resistome (total content of ARGs and of metal resistance genes, MRGs) for a period of six months (summer-winter) in a continuum lake-river-lake system (Lake Varese, River Bardello, Lake Maggiore) in Northern Italy, by shotgun metagenomics. The metagenomic data were then compared with chemical, physical and microbiological data, to infer the role of anthropogenic pressure in the different sampling stations. ARGs and MRGs were more abundant and diverse in the River Bardello, characterised by the highest anthropogenic pollution. The date of sampling influenced ARGs and MRGs, with higher abundances in summer (August) than in fall or in winter, when the impact of the treated wastewater discharge in the river was limited by a higher water flow from Lake Varese. ARG and MRG abundances were significantly correlated and they co-occurred in the main network analysis modules with potential pathogenic bacteria. Different levels of anthropogenic impact selectively promoted specific ARGs while others, generally abundant in waters, were not affected by anthropogenic pressure. Reducing the level of anthropogenic pressure resulted in a rapid decrease of most ARGs. From our results, the role of anthropogenic pressure in promoting the spread of specific antibiotic resistances and of potential pathogens in aquatic ecosystem becomes clear. Finally we highlight the strict correlation between ARGs and MRGs suggesting their potential co-selection in stressed aquatic bacterial communities. |
| Source | Chemosphere 331 (138800) |
| Keywords | antimicrobial resistance |
| Journal | Chemosphere |
| Editor | Elsevier, Oxford, Regno Unito |
| Year | 2023 |
| Type | Articolo in rivista |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138800 |
| Authors | Andrea Di Cesare, Raffaella Sabatino, Tomasa Sbaffi, Diego Fontaneto, Diego Brambilla, Andrea Beghi, Franca Pandolfi, Cristina Borlandelli, Davide Fortino, Giovanni Biccai, Pietro Genoni, Gianluca Corno |
| Text | 481053 2023 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138800 antimicrobial resistance Anthropogenic pollution drives the bacterial resistome in a complex freshwater ecosystem Andrea Di Cesare, Raffaella Sabatino, Tomasa Sbaffi, Diego Fontaneto, Diego Brambilla, Andrea Beghi, Franca Pandolfi, Cristina Borlandelli, Davide Fortino, Giovanni Biccai, Pietro Genoni, Gianluca Corno National Research Council of Italy Water Research Institute CNR IRSA Molecular Ecology Group MEG , Verbania, Italy Regional Environmental Protection Agency of Lombardia, Italy Aquatic ecosystems in anthropogenically impacted areas are important reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes ARGs of allochthonous origin. However, the dynamics of the different ARGs within the bacterial communities of lakes and rivers, as well as the factors that drive their selection, are not completely understood. In this study, we analysed the fate of the bacterial resistome total content of ARGs and of metal resistance genes, MRGs for a period of six months summer winter in a continuum lake river lake system Lake Varese, River Bardello, Lake Maggiore in Northern Italy, by shotgun metagenomics. The metagenomic data were then compared with chemical, physical and microbiological data, to infer the role of anthropogenic pressure in the different sampling stations. ARGs and MRGs were more abundant and diverse in the River Bardello, characterised by the highest anthropogenic pollution. The date of sampling influenced ARGs and MRGs, with higher abundances in summer August than in fall or in winter, when the impact of the treated wastewater discharge in the river was limited by a higher water flow from Lake Varese. ARG and MRG abundances were significantly correlated and they co occurred in the main network analysis modules with potential pathogenic bacteria. Different levels of anthropogenic impact selectively promoted specific ARGs while others, generally abundant in waters, were not affected by anthropogenic pressure. Reducing the level of anthropogenic pressure resulted in a rapid decrease of most ARGs. From our results, the role of anthropogenic pressure in promoting the spread of specific antibiotic resistances and of potential pathogens in aquatic ecosystem becomes clear. Finally we highlight the strict correlation between ARGs and MRGs suggesting their potential co selection in stressed aquatic bacterial communities. 331 Published version https //www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653523010676 via%3Dihub chem 2023_Chemosph_Di Cesare et al.pdf Articolo in rivista Elsevier 0045 6535 Chemosphere Chemosphere Chemosphere Chemosphere. Chemosphere. Environmental chemistry, Chemosphere. Persistent organic pollutants and dioxins, Chemosphere. Environmental toxicology and risk assessment, Chemosphere. Science for Environmental toxicology, SABATINO RAFFAELLA BRAMBILLA DIEGO SBAFFI TOMASA gianluca.corno CORNO GIANLUCA diego.fontaneto FONTANETO DIEGO andrea.dicesare DI CESARE ANDREA DTA.AD002.698.001 CIPAIS I CH INDAGINI LIMNOLOGICHE 2022 2024 DTA.AD002.701.001 MODELLAZIONE LAGHI LOMBARDI IRSA VERBANIA |
