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Published on: June 14, 2024
Effect of meddling ARBs on ARGs dynamics in fungal infested soil and their selective dispersal along spatially
Rashid Nazir1, Shuai Du2, Ju-Pei Shen2
1Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Abbottabad - Campus, Tobe Camp, University Road, 22060 Abbottabad, Pakistan; State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China.
Abstract:
During the recent times, environmental antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and their potential transfer to other bacterial hosts of pathogenic importance are of serious concern. However, the dissemination strategies of such ARGs are largely unknown. We tested that saprotrophic soil fungi differentially enriched antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARBs) and subsequently contributed in spatial distribution of selective ARGs. Wafergen qPCR analysis of 295 different ARGs was conducted for manure treated pre-sterilized soil incubated or not with selected bacterial-fungal consortia. The qPCR assay detected unique ARGs specifically found in the mycosphere of ascomycetous and basidiomycetous fungi. Both fungi exerted potentially different selection pressures on ARBs, resulting in different patterns of ARGs dissemination (to distant places) along their respective growing fungal highways. The relative abundance of mobile genetic elements (MGEs) was significantly decreased along fungal highways compared to the respective inoculation points. Moreover, the decrease in MGEs and ARGs (along fungal highways) was more prominent over time which depicts the continuous selection pressure of growing fungi on ARBs for enrichment of particular ARGs in mycosphere. Such data also indicate the potential role of saprotrophic soil fungi to facilitate horizontal gene transfer within mycospheric environmental settings. Our study, therefore, advocates to emphasize the future investigations for such (bacteria-fungal) interactive microbial consortia for potential (spatial) dissemination of resistance determinants which may ultimately increase the exposure risks of ARGs.
Insights
Saprotrophic soil fungi enrich antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARBs) and spread antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) through their growth. Fungal activity influences ARG distribution and may facilitate gene transfer in soil environments.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Soil science
- Antimicrobial resistance
Background:
- Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment pose a significant threat.
- Dissemination strategies of ARGs are not well understood.
- Saprotrophic fungi may play a role in ARG spread.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of soil fungi in enriching antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARBs).
- To determine how fungi contribute to the spatial distribution of ARGs.
- To explore the potential of fungi in facilitating horizontal gene transfer of ARGs.
Main Methods:
- Wafergen qPCR analysis of 295 ARGs.
- Incubation of manure-treated soil with bacterial-fungal consortia.
- Comparison of ARG abundance in fungal mycospheres and inoculation points.
Main Results:
- Fungi differentially enriched ARBs and influenced ARG dissemination patterns.
- Unique ARGs were detected in the mycospheres of ascomycetous and basidiomycetous fungi.
- Mobile genetic elements and ARGs decreased along fungal growth pathways over time.
Conclusions:
- Saprotrophic soil fungi contribute to the spatial distribution and potential horizontal gene transfer of ARGs.
- Fungal-bacterial interactions are crucial for understanding ARG dissemination.
- Further research on these microbial consortia is needed to assess exposure risks.
