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Published on: October 6, 2022
Tetracycline as a selector for resistant bacteria in activated sludge
Sungpyo Kim1, James N Jensen, Diana S Aga
1Department of Civil, Structural, and Environmental Engineering, 212 Ketter Hall, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, United States. sungpyo.kim@gmail.com
Chemosphere
|September 9, 2006
Summary
High tetracycline loads in wastewater increase tetracycline-resistant bacteria in activated sludge. This study shows elevated resistant bacteria concentrations, growth rates, and percentages in reactors with higher antibiotic input.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Wastewater treatment technologies
Background:
- Tetracycline is a widely used antibiotic with significant excretion into wastewater.
- The presence of antibiotics in wastewater poses risks for the proliferation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of tetracycline loading on tetracycline-resistant bacteria within activated sludge processes.
- To quantify the fate and growth dynamics of resistant bacteria under varying tetracycline concentrations.
Main Methods:
- Aerobic biological sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) were utilized for the study.
- Comparison of SBRs with high tetracycline influent (250 µg/L) versus low background levels (1 µg/L).
Main Results:
- Higher tetracycline loading significantly increased resistant bacteria concentrations and production rates.
- Elevated net growth rates and percentages of tetracycline-resistant bacteria were observed with increased antibiotic input.
- Organic loading and growth rates amplified the prevalence of resistant bacteria.
Conclusions:
- Tetracycline loading is a critical factor influencing the abundance and proliferation of resistant bacteria in activated sludge.
- Wastewater treatment processes must consider antibiotic concentrations to mitigate the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
