Metabolically Active Prokaryotes and Actively Transcribed Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Sewer Systems: Implications for Public Health and Microbially Induced Corrosion

Abstract

Sewer systems are reservoirs of pathogens and bacteria carrying antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). However, most recent high-throughput studies rely on DNA-based techniques that cannot provide information on the physiological state of the cells nor expression of ARGs. In this study, wastewater and sewer sediment samples were collected from combined and separate sanitary sewer systems. The metabolically active prokaryote community was evaluated using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and actively transcribed ARG abundance was measured using mRNA RT-qPCR. Three ( sul 1, bla TEM , tet (G)) of the eight tested ARGs were quantifiable in select samples. Sewer sediment samples had greater abundance of actively transcribed ARGs compared to wastewater. Microbiome analysis showed the presence of metabolically active family taxa that contain clinically relevant pathogens (Pseudomonadaceae, Enterobacteraceae, Streptococcaceae, Arcobacteraceae, and Clostridiaceae) and corrosion-causing prokaryotes (Desulfobulbaceae and Desulfovibrionaceae) in both matrices. Spirochaetaceae and methanogens were more common in the sediment matrix while Mycobacteraceae were more common in wastewater. The microbiome obtained from 16S rRNA sequencing had a significantly different structure from the 16S rRNA gene microbiome. Overall, this study demonstrates active transcription of ARGs in sewer systems and provides insight into the abundance and physiological state of taxa of interest in the different sewer matrices and sewer types relevant for wastewater-based epidemiology, corrosion, and understanding the hazard posed by different matrices during sewer overflows. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00248-021-01775-y.

Changes in Prevalence but Not Hosts of Antibiotic Resistance Genes during the COVID-19 Pandemic versus Prepandemic in Wastewater Influent

“…WWTP-D has a design flow over one order of magnitude greater with a travel time travel 1.5–2 h longer than WWTP-A. There is potential for but limited evidence to support ARG selection in sewers (as reviewed by ref ), but ARG transcription in sewers has been demonstrated, which may imply that travel time could impact observations of ARGs in wastewater influent. Further research would be useful in confirming the impact of travel time on ARG concentrations.…”

Changes in Freeze-Thaw Environments in a Cold Lake: Eliciting New Insights into the Activity and Composition of Bacterial Communities

“…Flavobacterium produces a variety of cold-active enzymes that facilitate the dissolution of algal bacteria and degradation of biological macromolecules [60]. Arcobacteraceae have been linked to human excrement in sewage [61] and have also been detected in sewage sediments [62]. Sphingorhabdus has been identified as a core microorganism in microplastic environments [63].…”

Distinctive microbial community and genome structure in coastal seawater from a human-made port and nearby offshore island in northern Taiwan facing the Northwestern Pacific Ocean

“…Moreover, the isolated group comprising Pseudohongiellaceae, Nitrincolaceae, Saccharospirillaceae, Crocinitomicaceae, Arcobacteraceae, Rhodocyclaceae, and Saccharimonadaceae formed mutual-exclusion relationships with Litoricolaceae and showed a higher abundance at Badouzi Fishing Port than at Heping Island. Arcobacteraceae was associated with human feces in sewage [68] and was also found in sewer sediment [69]. Rhodocyclaceae was demonstrated to function in single-chamber microbial fuel cells as a denitrifier [70].…”