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Tracking virulence genes and their interaction with antibiotic resistome during manure fertilization

Yifan Su1, Suo Liu1, Qiang Dong2

  • 1State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.

Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)
|July 10, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Manure fertilization may increase antibiotic-resistant pathogens in soil, posing environmental and public health risks. This study highlights the overlooked connection between agricultural practices and the spread of antibiotic resistance genes.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Microbiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), or the antibiotic resistome, are emerging environmental contaminants.
  • The interaction between pathogenic bacteria and the antibiotic resistome is poorly understood, hindering microbial risk assessment.
  • Swine manure application in agriculture may contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and abundance of bacterial virulence genes in swine manure-derived products and agricultural soils.
  • To explore the relationship between virulence genes, antibiotic resistance genes, and environmental factors.
  • To assess the potential public health risks associated with manure fertilization.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of virulence genes in swine manure, compost, compost-amended soil, and unamended soil from Beijing, China.
  • Quantification of absolute and relative abundances of virulence genes.
  • Correlation analysis with environmental factors like temperature, antibiotics, and heavy metals.

Main Results:

  • Virulence gene abundance was significantly higher in compost-amended soils compared to unamended soils.
  • Pathogen composition varied across sample types and correlated with environmental parameters.
  • A significant co-occurrence was observed between virulence genes and antibiotic resistance genes.

Conclusions:

  • Manure fertilization practices can lead to the proliferation of potentially antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
  • This creates an overlooked environmental health risk, linking agricultural practices to public health concerns.
  • Further research is needed to mitigate the spread of antibiotic resistance from agricultural sources.
Keywords:
Antibiotic resistance genesManure fertilizationMicrobial communitiesPathogen dissemination

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