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Antibiotics
Special Issues
The Spread of Antibiotic Resistance in Natural Environments
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The Spread of Antibiotic Resistance in Natural Environments

A special issue of Antibiotics (ISSN 2079-6382). This special issue belongs to the section "Mechanism and Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2025 | Viewed by 2871

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Daniel Gyamfi Amoako

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
2. Antimicrobial Research Unit, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZuluNatal, Durban 4000, South Africa
Interests: antimicrobial resistance; molecular genetics; one-health genomics; pathogenomics; applied bioinformatics; machine learning analytics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the ongoing exploration of antibiotic resistance dynamics, there is a growing need to decipher the intricate pathways through which resistance spreads in the natural environment.

Antibiotic resistance, a complex phenomenon influenced by genetic factors such as plasmids, transposons and other mobile elements, presents a multifaceted challenge. The variability in resistance genes and their responses to environmental pressures remain an area of intense study. While the impact of diverse ecological niches on the dissemination of antibiotic resistance is evident, a comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms is still limited. Investigating the genomic changes and adaptation strategies employed by microorganisms in diverse ecosystems is crucial to shed light on the spread of antibiotic resistance.

This Special Issue aims to provide a platform for a comprehensive exploration of the genetic foundations and environmental dynamics of antibiotic resistance, particularly focusing on the dissemination of resistance elements in natural ecosystems.

Dr. Daniel Gyamfi Amoako
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Antibiotics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • antibiotic resistance dissemination
  • antibiotic pollution
  • environmental adaptation
  • mobile genetic elements
  • ecological impact
  • environmental microbiome
  • resistance gene transfer
  • resistance hotspot
  • genomic landscape
  • One Health approach
  • emerging contaminants
  • bioinformatics in environmental genomics

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 2961 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Urban Pollution on Plasmid-Mediated Resistance Acquisition in Enterobacteria from a Tropical River
by Bradd Mendoza-Guido, Kenia Barrantes, César Rodríguez, Keilor Rojas-Jimenez and Maria Arias-Andres
Antibiotics 2024, 13(11), 1089; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13111089 - 14 Nov 2024
Viewed by 872
Abstract
Background: The exposure of environmental bacteria to contaminants in aquatic ecosystems accelerates the dissemination of antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) through horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Methods: In this study, we sampled three locations along a contamination gradient of a polluted river, focusing on isolating Enterobacteria [...] Read more.
Background: The exposure of environmental bacteria to contaminants in aquatic ecosystems accelerates the dissemination of antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) through horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Methods: In this study, we sampled three locations along a contamination gradient of a polluted river, focusing on isolating Enterobacteria from the surface waters to investigate the relationship between urban pollution and antibiotic resistance. The genomes of 15 isolates (5 per site) were sequenced to identify plasmid-borne ARGs and their association with resistance phenotypes. Results: Isolates from the site with the highest contamination (Site 3) showeda larger number of ARGs, plasmids, and resistance phenotypes. Notably, one of the isolates analyzed, E. coli A231-12, exhibited phenotypic resistance to seven antibiotics, presumably conferred by a single plasmid carrying 12 ARGs. Comparative analysis of this plasmid revealed its close evolutionary relationship with another IncH plasmid hosted by Salmonella enterica, underscoring its high ARG burden in the aquatic environment. Other plasmids identified in our isolates carried sul and dfrA genes, conferring resistance to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, a commonly prescribed antibiotic combination in clinical settings. Conclusions: These results highlight the critical need to expand research on the link between pollution and plasmid-mediated antimicrobial resistance in aquatic ecosystems, which can act as reservoirs of ARGs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Spread of Antibiotic Resistance in Natural Environments)
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14 pages, 2285 KiB  
Article
Comprehensive Study of Antibiotic Resistance in Enterococcus spp.: Comparison of Influents and Effluents of Wastewater Treatment Plants
by Ji-Hyun Park, Kyung-Seon Bae, Jihyun Kang, Eung-Roh Park and Jeong-Ki Yoon
Antibiotics 2024, 13(11), 1072; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13111072 - 11 Nov 2024
Viewed by 489
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The spread of antibiotic resistance, particularly through Enterococcus spp., in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) poses significant public health risks. Given that research on antibiotic-resistant enterococci and their antibiotic-resistance genes in aquatic environments is limited, we evaluated the role of Enterococcus spp. [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The spread of antibiotic resistance, particularly through Enterococcus spp., in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) poses significant public health risks. Given that research on antibiotic-resistant enterococci and their antibiotic-resistance genes in aquatic environments is limited, we evaluated the role of Enterococcus spp. in WWTPs by comparing the antibiotic resistance rates, gene prevalence, biofilm formation, and residual antibiotics in the influent and effluent using culture-based methods. Methods: In 2022, influent and effluent samples were collected from 11 WWTPs in South Korea. Overall, 804 Enterococcus strains were isolated, and their resistance to 16 antibiotics was assessed using the microdilution method. Results: High resistance to tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, kanamycin, and erythromycin was observed. However, no significant differences in the overall resistance rates and biofilm formation were observed between the influent and effluent. Rates of resistance to ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, and gentamicin, as well as the prevalence of the tetM and qnrS genes, increased in the effluent, whereas resistance rates to chloramphenicol, florfenicol, erythromycin, and tylosin tartrate, along with the prevalence of the optrA gene, decreased. E. faecium, E. hirae, and E. faecalis were the dominant species, with E. faecalis exhibiting the highest resistance. Conclusions: Our results suggest that WWTPs do not effectively reduce the rates of resistant Enterococcus spp., indicating the need for continuous monitoring and improvement of the treatment process to mitigate the environmental release of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Spread of Antibiotic Resistance in Natural Environments)
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Review

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40 pages, 1037 KiB  
Review
Environmental Antimicrobial Resistance: Implications for Food Safety and Public Health
by Onyinye Victoria Ifedinezi, Nnabueze Darlington Nnaji, Christian Kosisochukwu Anumudu, Chiemerie Theresa Ekwueme, Chijioke Christopher Uhegwu, Francis Chukwuebuka Ihenetu, Promiselynda Obioha, Blessing Oteta Simon, Precious Somtochukwu Ezechukwu and Helen Onyeaka
Antibiotics 2024, 13(11), 1087; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13111087 - 14 Nov 2024
Viewed by 967
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious global health issue, aggravated by antibiotic overuse and misuse in human medicine, animal care, and agriculture. This study looks at the different mechanisms that drive AMR, such as environmental contamination, horizontal gene transfer, and selective pressure, as [...] Read more.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious global health issue, aggravated by antibiotic overuse and misuse in human medicine, animal care, and agriculture. This study looks at the different mechanisms that drive AMR, such as environmental contamination, horizontal gene transfer, and selective pressure, as well as the severe implications of AMR for human and animal health. This study demonstrates the need for concerted efforts across the scientific, healthcare, agricultural, and policy sectors to control the emergence of AMR. Some crucial strategies discussed include developing antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs, encouraging targeted narrow-spectrum antibiotic use, and emphasizing the significance of strict regulatory frameworks and surveillance systems, like the Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) and the Access, Watch, and Reserve (AWaRe) classification. This study also emphasizes the need for national and international action plans in combating AMR and promotes the One Health strategy, which unifies environmental, animal, and human health. This study concludes that preventing the spread of AMR and maintaining the effectiveness of antibiotics for future generations requires a comprehensive, multidisciplinary, and internationally coordinated strategy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Spread of Antibiotic Resistance in Natural Environments)
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