Detecting antibiotic resistance genes in anthropogenically impacted streams and rivers

Streams and rivers are widely impacted by human activities ranging from hydrological modifications to point and nonpoint pollution. Among the pollutants that enter lotic ecosystems are pharmaceuticals and personal care products, including antibiotics, that may play a role in the occurrence of antibi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current opinion in biotechnology 2023-02, Vol.79, p.102878-102878, Article 102878
Main Authors: Leff, Laura G, Fasina, Kolapo, Engohang-Ndong, Jean
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology
Drug Resistance, Microbial - genetics
Ecosystem
Genes, Bacterial
Humans
Rivers - microbiology
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Summary:Streams and rivers are widely impacted by human activities ranging from hydrological modifications to point and nonpoint pollution. Among the pollutants that enter lotic ecosystems are pharmaceuticals and personal care products, including antibiotics, that may play a role in the occurrence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Oftentimes, ARGs are detected based on culturing of bacteria or by using quantitative polymerase chain reaction; the limitations of these methods create barriers to our understanding. Use of more exhaustive methods, such as metagenomics, may overcome some of these barriers. The public health and ecological impacts of ARGs may be profound but are largely understudied. Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern for public health. [Display omitted] •Antibiotic resistance genes are widespread in the environment.•Widely used methods rely on molecular analysis but have limitations.•FuFuture studies connecting environmental occurrence to health are needed.
ISSN:0958-1669
1879-0429
DOI:10.1016/j.copbio.2022.102878