Aquatic environments polluted with antibiotics and heavy metals: a human health hazard

Author(s)

Martins, Vinicius Vicente ^[1] ; Barboza Zanetti, Maria Olivia ^[1] ; Pitondo-Silva, Andre ^[1] ; Stehling, Eliana Guedes ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Ciencias Farmaceut Ribeirao Preto, Dept Anal Clin Toxicol & Bromatol, BR-14040903 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Environmental Science and Pollution Research; v. 21, n. 9, p. 5873-5878, MAY 2014.
• Web of Science Citations: 27

Abstract

Aquatic environments often receive wastewater containing pollutants such as antibiotics and heavy metals from hospital sewage, as well as contaminants from soil. The presence of these pollutants can increase the rate of exchange of resistant genes between environmental and pathogenic bacteria, which can make the treatment of various types of bacterial infections in humans and animals difficult, in addition to causing environmental problems such as ecological risk. In this study, two tetracycline-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (EW32 and EW33), isolated from aquatic environments close to industries and a hospital in southeastern Brazil, were investigated regarding the possible association between tetracycline and heavy metal resistance. The isolate EW32 presented a conjugative plasmid with coresistance to tetracycline and copper, reinforcing the concern that antibiotic resistance by acquisition of plasmids can be induced by the selective pressure of heavy metals in the environment. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/16657-3 - Comparative study of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from several sources and investigation of antagonism with coliforms group bacteria.
• Grantee: Eliana Guedes Stehling
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants