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Comparison of microbial communities and the antibiotic resistome between prawn mono- and poly-culture systems
1Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, Liaoning, PR China.
Abstract:
Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in mariculture sediments pose a potential risk to public health due to their ability to transfer from environmental bacteria to human pathogens. Long term, this may reduce pathogen susceptibility to antibiotics in medical settings. In recent years, the poly-culture of multiple species has become a popular mariculture approach in China, thanks to its environmental and economic benefits. However, differences in microbial communities and antibiotic resistome between mono- and poly-culture systems are still unclear. In this study, microbial community composition and profiles of entire (microbial DNA) and mobile (plasmid and phage) ARGs in prawn mono- and poly-culture systems were investigated using metagenomics. The abundance of several viruses and human pathogens were enhanced in prawn poly-culture ponds, when compared to monoculture systems. In contrast, sediments from poly-culture systems had a lower diversity and ARG abundance when compared to mono-culture approaches. These ARG variations were predominantly related to mobile genetic elements. Prawn mariculture activities exerted a unique selectivity for ARGs in plasmids, and this selectivity was not influenced by culture methods. The findings of this study have important implications for the selection of mariculture systems in preventing pollution with ARGs.
Insights
Poly-culture mariculture systems show lower antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) abundance and diversity in sediments compared to mono-culture. This finding is crucial for selecting sustainable mariculture methods to mitigate ARG pollution.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Microbiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in mariculture sediments are a public health concern due to potential transfer to human pathogens.
- The rise of poly-culture systems in China necessitates understanding their impact on microbial communities and ARGs compared to mono-culture.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differences in microbial community composition and ARG profiles (total, plasmid, phage) between mono- and poly-culture mariculture systems.
- To assess the influence of mariculture practices on ARG abundance and diversity.
Main Methods:
- Metagenomic analysis of microbial DNA from prawn mono- and poly-culture sediments.
- Profiling of entire and mobile (plasmid, phage) antibiotic resistance genes.
Main Results:
- Poly-culture ponds showed increased abundance of viruses and human pathogens compared to mono-culture.
- Sediments from poly-culture systems exhibited lower ARG diversity and abundance.
- ARG variations were primarily linked to mobile genetic elements, with prawn mariculture showing consistent plasmid ARG selectivity.
Conclusions:
- Mariculture systems significantly impact ARG profiles in sediments.
- Poly-culture systems may offer a strategy for reducing ARG pollution compared to mono-culture.
- Understanding ARG dynamics is vital for developing effective strategies to prevent environmental contamination from mariculture activities.
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