Reduction in antimicrobial resistance in a watershed after closure of livestock farms

Xin Yuan Zhou, Anyi Hu, Shu Yi Dan Zhou, Fu Yi Huang, Mia Kristine Staal Jensen, Yi Zhao, Xiao Peng Yan, Kun Wan, Qing Lin Chen, Qian Sun, Chang Ping Yu, Michael R. Gillings, Yong Guan Zhu, Jian Qiang Su*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

Natural environments play a crucial role in transmission of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Development of methods to manage antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in natural environments are usually limited to the laboratory or field scale, partially due to the complex dynamics of transmission between different environmental compartments. Here, we conducted a nine-year longitudinal profiling of ARGs at a watershed scale, and provide evidence that restrictions on livestock farms near water bodies significantly reduced riverine ARG abundance. Substantial reductions were revealed in the relative abundance of genes conferring resistance to aminoglycosides (42%), MLSB (36%), multidrug (55%), tetracyclines (53%), and other gene categories (59%). Additionally, improvements in water quality were observed, with distinct changes in concentrations of dissolved reactive phosphorus, ammonium, nitrite, pH, and dissolved oxygen. Antibiotic residues and other pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) maintain at a similarly low level. Microbial source tracking demonstrates a significant decrease in swine fecal indicators, while human fecal pollution remains unchanged. These results suggest that the reduction in ARGs was due to a substantial reduction in input of antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes from animal excreta. Our findings highlight the watershed as a living laboratory for understanding the dynamics of AMR, and for evaluating the efficacy of environmental regulations, with implications for reducing environmental risks associated with AMR on a global scale.

Original languageEnglish
Article number108846
Pages (from-to)1-10
Number of pages10
JournalEnvironment International
Volume190
Early online date22 Jun 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2024

Bibliographical note

Copyright the Author(s) 2024. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.

Keywords

  • Environmental regulations
  • Fecal pollution
  • Fecal source tracking
  • Long-term surveillance
  • Swine farming
  • Watershed health

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