Effects of a Mining Dam Disaster on Antimicrobial-Resistant and Metal-Tolerant Bacterial Strains Recovered from Environmental Samples

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Furlan, Joao Pedro Rueda ; Ramos, Micaela Santana ; dos Santos, Lucas David Rodrigues ; Rosa, Rafael da Silva ; Paulelli, Ana Carolina ; Rocha, Cecilia Cristina de Souza ; Cesila, Cibele Aparecida ; Gallimberti, Matheus ; Devoz, Paula Picoli ; Barbosa Junior, Fernando ; Stehling, Eliana Guedes

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: WATER AIR AND SOIL POLLUTION; v. 235, n. 6, p. 11-pg., 2024-06-01.

Abstract

Anthropogenic activities are closely related to the emergence, spread, and evolution of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In addition to the introduction of chemical pollutants into the environment, dam failure may contribute to the selection of AMR and metal tolerance, and horizontal gene transfer. In this context, environmental samples from unaffected and affected sites were analyzed to obtain bacterial strains and investigate AMR and metal tolerance, as well as antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) and metal tolerance genes (MTGs). A wide diversity of emerging bacterial pathogens has been detected, which are often associated with multidrug resistance and multimetal tolerance. Intrinsic and acquired ARGs and MTGs were identified in clinically important bacteria. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-encoding genes were exclusive of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli from sediments and soils of affected sites. Overall, P. aeruginosa, E. coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the ones that presented ARGs and/or MTGs, as well as the coexistence of them, which increased in the affected sites. These findings support that mining pollution increased the amount of MTGs and that they co-occur with different ARGs in a great diversity of bacterial species. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/19539-0 - Molecular characterization of Escherichia coli isolates from the environment
• Grantee: Eliana Guedes Stehling
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/24069-3 - ReSEARCH: Recognizing Signatures of the Exposome to Anticipate the Risks for a Continuous Health
• Grantee: Fernando Barbosa Júnior
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 21/01655-7 - Resistome, plasmidome and virulome of Enterobacterales isolated from the environment carrying mcr-like genes
• Grantee: Eliana Guedes Stehling
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants