Pseudomonas Diversity Within Urban Freshwaters

Abstract

Freshwater lakes are home to bacterial communities with 1000s of interdependent species. Numerous high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequence surveys have provided insight into the microbial taxa found within these waters. Prior surveys of Lake Michigan waters have identified bacterial species common to freshwater lakes as well as species likely introduced from the urban environment. We cultured bacterial isolates from samples taken from the Chicago nearshore waters of Lake Michigan in an effort to look more closely at the genetic diversity of species found there within. The most abundant genus detected was Pseudomonas , whose presence in freshwaters is often attributed to storm water or runoff. Whole genome sequencing was conducted for 15 Lake Michigan Pseudomonas strains, representative of eight species and three isolates that could not be resolved with named species. These genomes were examined specifically for genes encoding functionality which may be advantageous in their urban environment. Antibiotic resistance, amidst other known virulence factors and defense mechanisms, were identified in the genome annotations and verified in the lab. We also tested the Lake Michigan Pseudomonas strains for siderophore production and resistance to the heavy metals mercury and copper. As the study presented here shows, a variety of pseudomonads have inhabited the urban coastal waters of Lake Michigan.

Antibiotic resistance in urban stormwater: a review of the dissemination of resistance elements, their impact, and management opportunities

“…Consequently, researchers have focused on understanding the effects antibiotic resistance elements in stormwater can have on ecological functioning and human health by sampling water bodies receiving urban stormwater runoff (Table 2). 48,51,53,54,56,58,59,61,[89][90][91][92][93][94][95][96][97][98][99][100][101] Environments that receive direct inputs, such as rivers, estuaries, and lakes, have been described during, immediately after, and after an extended period following rainfall events. Conflicting results of ARG abundances during rainfall have been reported.…”

Resistant Genes and Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria in Wastewater: A Study of Their Transfer to the Water Reservoir in the Czech Republic

“…is an opportunistic pathogen that causes severe urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal infections, diseases of the respiratory system, but is especially dangerous in patients with severe burns and weakened immunity [61,62]. The problem with this bacterial group is that it is able to colonize a large range of ecological environments, including wastewater and recreational water [63,64]. Once these multidrugresistant Pseudomonas bacteria contaminate the food environment, they can reach humans and animals in the food chain in a variety of ways [65].…”

Draft Genome Sequence of Cold-Tolerant Pseudomonas sp. Strain NKUCC02_KPG, Isolated from Old Alexandria Reservoir in Northern Kentucky, USA

“…Cold-adapted species of Pseudomonas have commonly been isolated from freshwaters receiving urban stormwater runoff ( 1 ), from activated sludge ( 2 ), and from pristine cold fjord waters in the Arctic ( 3 ). They have also been identified from cold spoiled foods ( 4 , 5 ) and soils ( 5 ).…”