Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026
06:54
Enhanced Extraction of Low-Molecular Weight DNA from Wastewater for Comprehensive Assessment of Antimicrobial Resistance
Published on: July 19, 2024
Comprehensive resistome and antibiotic profiling in wastewater and biosolids: a case study
Alba Lara-Moreno1, Fernando Madrid2, Marina Rubio-Bellido2
1Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Seville, Seville, Spain.
Frontiers in Microbiology
|July 13, 2026
Summary
Wastewater treatment plants accumulate antimicrobial resistance determinants (AMR). While treatment reduces some antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), key genetic elements persist in effluent and sludge, posing public health concerns.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Public health
- Molecular biology
Background:
- Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are recognized hotspots for antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
- Understanding the fate of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) during wastewater treatment is crucial for public health.
- Antibiotic residues can influence the selection and persistence of AMR.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the presence and persistence of ARGs, MGEs, and antibiotic residues in different wastewater and sludge matrices.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of wastewater and composting treatments in reducing AMR.
- To compare ARG loads with European benchmark data using resistance indices.
Main Methods:
- Sampling of influent, effluent, dehydrated sludge, and composted sludge from a municipal WWTP.
- Molecular analysis to detect and quantify ARGs and MGEs.
- Chemical analysis for antibiotic residues.
- Application of Antibiotic Resistance Gene Index (ARGI) and Standard Resistance Gene Index (SRGI).
Main Results:
- Influent wastewater contained diverse ARGs and MGEs.
- Treatment reduced microbial loads and ARGs, but several ARGs and MGEs persisted in effluent.
- Dehydrated sludge contained persistent antibiotics like doxycycline and azithromycin.
- Composting reduced overall ARG load, but key MGEs remained detectable.
- Detected ARG loads were consistent with European regional data.
- Clinically relevant genes (e.g., mcr-1) were detected, indicating potential public health risks.
Conclusions:
- WWTPs and their sludge can act as reservoirs for clinically relevant ARGs and MGEs.
- While treatment reduces AMR, residual genetic elements persist, highlighting the need for effective removal strategies.
- Molecular surveillance and resistance indices are valuable tools for monitoring AMR in environmental matrices.
- Longer-term studies are needed to fully understand AMR dynamics in wastewater and sludge systems.
Keywords:
antibiotic resistance gene indexantibiotic resistance genesantimicrobial resistanceenvironmental disseminationmobile genetic elementssewage sludge compostingwastewater treatment plantsMore Related Videos
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