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Prevalence of multi-resistant plasmids in hospital inhalable particulate matter (PM) and its impact on horizontal

Zhen-Chao Zhou1, Xin-Yi Shuai1, Ze-Jun Lin1

  • 1Institute of Environmental Technology, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.

Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)
|December 20, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Airborne antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) on plasmids spread via inhalable particulate matter (PM). PM exposure significantly enhances gene transfer rates and alters microbial gene expression, highlighting a new route for antimicrobial resistance.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental microbiology
  • Molecular biology
  • Public health

Background:

  • Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) spread through horizontal gene transfer (HGT), often via plasmids.
  • Inhalable particulate matter (PM) can harbor and potentially facilitate the spread of microbial genetic elements.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence of multi-resistant plasmids in inhalable PM.
  • To determine the effect of PM on the horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Conjugative mating assays and nanopore sequencing to identify plasmids in PM.
  • Exposure of microbes to PM2.5 and PM10 to assess transfer rates and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels.
  • Genome-wide RNA sequencing to analyze gene expression changes.

Main Results:

  • Three transferable multi-resistant plasmids were identified in hospital-sourced PM, including one (pTAir-5) with a carbapenem resistance gene (blaOXA) homologous to human/pig commensal plasmids.
  • PM2.5 and PM10 significantly increased conjugative transfer rates by 110% and 30%, respectively, and elevated ROS levels.
  • PM exposure upregulated genes involved in ROS, SOS response, cell membranes, pilus formation, and transposition.

Conclusions:

  • Inhalable PM acts as a medium for the airborne spread of multi-resistant plasmids.
  • PM significantly enhances the horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes.
  • Understanding PM's role is crucial for mitigating the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
Keywords:
Antibiotic resistance genesHorizontal gene transferInhalable particulate mattersPlasmids

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