Summary
This global survey of 226 activated sludge samples from wastewater treatment plants across six continents characterises the composition, distribution and drivers of antibiotic resistance genes. The analysis reveals a universal core of 20 ARGs present in all facilities, yet distinct continental variation patterns, with resistance composition strongly linked to bacterial community structure and the presence of mobile genetic elements. The findings suggest that resistome variation results from combined stochastic and deterministic abiotic processes, positioning WWTPs as globally significant reservoirs of antibiotic resistance.
Regional applicability
UK wastewater treatment plants likely harbour similar core ARGs and would benefit from inclusion in such global surveillance efforts, particularly given the National Health Service's focus on antimicrobial stewardship. The study's methods and findings could inform UK water quality monitoring and environmental risk assessment strategies regarding antimicrobial resistance dissemination.
Key measures
Antibiotic resistance gene diversity and abundance; bacterial taxonomic composition; presence of mobile genetic elements; ARG composition by continent; high-quality genome recovery and prevalence of mobile ARGs
Outcomes reported
The study characterised the diversity, abundance and distribution of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) across 226 activated sludge samples from 142 wastewater treatment plants across six continents. It identified a core set of 20 ARGs present universally, documented continental variations in ARG composition, and quantified the association between ARG abundance and mobile genetic elements.
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