Integrons are key players in the spread of beta-lactamase-encoding genes.

Integrons mediate the acquisition and expression of gene cassettes (GCs). The production of beta-lactamases (BLs) is the most relevant mechanism of beta-lactams resistance. To explore the role of integrons in BL genes dissemination, we retrieved sequences and metadata from the INTEGRALL database and performed literature review.

Plastisphere in a low-pollution mountain river: Influence of microplastics on survival of pathogenic bacteria.

Microplastics (MPs) are found even in remote and low-pollution freshwater ecosystems. However, the microbial communities associated with MPs in these environments remain poorly understood. We characterized the plastisphere in a low-pollution riverine ecosystem and evaluated the influence of different MPs in the persistence of pathogens in such environments.

Integron-associated genes are reliable indicators of antibiotic resistance in wastewater despite treatment- and seasonality-driven fluctuations.

The present study aims to characterize the bacterial community, resistome and integron abundance of a municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) over the course of 12 months and evaluate the year-long performance of integron-related genes as potential indicators of antibiotic resistance mechanisms in influents and effluents. For that, total DNA was extracted and subjected to 16S rRNA-targeted metabarcoding, high-throughput (HT) qPCR (48 targets) and standard qPCR (5 targets). Targets included integrase genes, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and putative pathogenic groups.

Hidden threats in the plastisphere: Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales colonizing microplastics in river water.

Carbapenem resistance poses a significant burden on healthcare systems worldwide. Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as potential contributors to antibiotic resistance spread in the environment. However, the link between MPs and carbapenem resistance remains unexplored.

A solar flow photo-reactor for antibiotic removal from aquaculture effluents using TiO/carbon quantum dots.

Effluents contaminated with antibiotics must be treated before reuse or even discharge into the aquatic environment, avoiding the increase of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) - a major public health problem of the 21 century. Little is known regarding the natural solar photodegradation of antibiotics in tubular reactors operated under flow mode and even less concerning the application of photocatalysts. The use of photocatalysts is considered a promising strategy for a sustainable solar-driven removal of antibiotics from effluents.

Microplastics accumulate priority antibiotic-resistant pathogens: Evidence from the riverine plastisphere.

Microplastics (MPs) might accumulate and transport antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) in aquatic systems. We determined the abundance and diversity of culturable ciprofloxacin- and cefotaxime-resistant bacteria in biofilms covering MPs placed in river water, and characterized priority pathogens from these biofilms. Our results showed that the abundance of ARB colonizing MPs tends to be higher compared to sand particles.

Bioremediation of coastal aquaculture effluents spiked with florfenicol using microalgae-based granular sludge - a promising solution for recirculating aquaculture systems.

Aquaculture is a crucial industry in the agri-food sector, but it is linked to serious environmental problems. There is a need for efficient treatment systems that allow water recirculation to mitigate pollution and water scarcity. This work aimed to evaluate the self-granulation process of a microalgae-based consortium and its capacity to bioremediate coastal aquaculture streams that sporadically contain the antibiotic florfenicol (FF).

Report and Comparative Genomics of an NDM-5-Producing in a Portuguese Hospital: Complex Class 1 Integrons as Important Players in Spread.

Background: New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM) has been spreading across the globe, but the causes of its success are poorly understood. We characterized a -positive strain from a Portuguese hospital and conducted comparative genomic analyses to understand the role of clonal background and horizontal gene transfer in dissemination.

Methods: After PCR screening and genome sequencing, Ec355340 was subjected to mating, transformation, and plasmid curing assays and MICs determination for several antibiotics.

CTX-M-Producing Bacteria Isolated from a Highly Polluted River System in Portugal.

resistant to third-generation cephalosporins are a great concern for public health, as these are first-line drugs to treat infections. The production of carbapenemases and extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) and/or the overexpression of AmpC β-lactamases are the main mechanisms of resistance to these antibiotics. Among the ESBLs, CTX-M β-lactamases are the most prevalent worldwide.

KPC-3-, GES-5-, and VIM-1-Producing Isolated from Urban Ponds.

Carbapenems are antibiotics of pivotal importance in human medicine, the efficacy of which is threatened by the increasing prevalence of carbapenem-resistant (CRE). Urban ponds may be reservoirs of CRE, although this hypothesis has been poorly explored. We assessed the proportion of CRE in urban ponds over a one-year period and retrieved 23 isolates.

Occurrence and distribution of Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales and carbapenemase genes along a highly polluted hydrographic basin.

We determined the distribution and temporal variation of Carbapenem Resistant Enterobacterales (CRE), carbapenemase-encoding genes and other antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in a highly polluted river (Lis River; Portugal), also assessing the potential influence of water quality to this distribution. Water samples were collected in two sampling campaigns performed one year apart (2018/2019) from fifteen sites and water quality was analyzed. CRE were isolated and characterized.

Genome and Metabolome MS-Based Mining of a Marine Strain of .

section encompasses several species that express both beneficial (e.g., biochemical transformation of steroids and alkaloids, enzymes and metabolites) and harmful compounds (e.

Tetracycline-Resistant Bacteria Selected from Water and Zebrafish after Antibiotic Exposure.

The emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens due to worldwide antibiotic use is raising concern in several settings, including aquaculture. In this work, the selection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) was evaluated after exposure of zebrafish to oxytetracycline (OTC) for two months, followed by a recovery period. The selection of ARB in water and fish was determined using selective media.

Genome analysis of two multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli O8:H9-ST48 strains isolated from lettuce.

Vegetables may become contaminated with antibiotic-resistant bacteria from farm-to-fork. Here we report draft genome sequences of two multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli isolated from lettuce. Whole genomes of strains Y15 V.

Selection of antibiotic resistance by metals in a riverine bacterial community.

Antibiotic resistance is a health challenge across human, animal and environmental settings. In the environment, metals may contribute to antibiotic resistance selection. This study aimed to investigate the role of copper and zinc in the selection of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in a riverine bacterial community.

A global multinational survey of cefotaxime-resistant coliforms in urban wastewater treatment plants.

The World Health Organization Global Action Plan recommends integrated surveillance programs as crucial strategies for monitoring antibiotic resistance. Although several national surveillance programs are in place for clinical and veterinary settings, no such schemes exist for monitoring antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the environment. In this transnational study, we developed, validated, and tested a low-cost surveillance and easy to implement approach to evaluate antibiotic resistance in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) by targeting cefotaxime-resistant (CTX-R) coliforms as indicators.

Genotypic and phenotypic traits of bla-carrying Escherichia coli strains from an UV-C-treated wastewater effluent.

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are relevant sources of antibiotic resistance into aquatic environments. Disinfection of WWTPs' effluents (e.g.

Occurrence, antibiotic-resistance and virulence of E. coli strains isolated from mangrove oysters (Crassostrea gasar) farmed in estuaries of Amazonia.

Concentration of bacterial species indicative of fecal contamination in the gut of mangrove oysters (Crassostrea gasar) is a major concern for public health and food surveillance. Our work aimed to determine the occurrence, antibiotic-resistance, phylogenetic profile and virulence of Escherichia coli strains isolated from C. gasar farmed in four estuaries of Amazonia.

Draft Genome Resources Sequences of Six pv. Strains Isolated from var. Leaves in Portugal.

pv. is a quarantine bacterium affecting all the Portuguese main areas of kiwifruit production. We report the draft genome of six pv.

Genomic analysis of Chromobacterium haemolyticum: insights into the species resistome, virulence determinants and genome plasticity.

The increasing number of Chromobacterium haemolyticum human infection reports, especially in tropical regions and connected with environmental sources, resulted in an urge to better describe this species. This study aimed to characterize the C. haemolyticum resistome, virulence determinants and genetic platforms related with genome plasticity.

Occurrence of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in a Portuguese river: bla, bla and bla among the detected genes.

Carbapenems are used as last-resort drugs to treat infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. Despite the increasing number of reports of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), there is still limited information on their distribution or prevalence in the environment. Our aim was to assess the occurrence of CRE in the Lis river (Portugal) and to characterize the genetic platforms linked to carbapenemase genes.

Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Gram-Negative Bacteria Recovered From an Amazonian Lake Near the City of Belém, Brazil.

Aquatic systems have been described as antibiotic resistance reservoirs, where water may act as a vehicle for the spread of resistant bacteria and resistance genes. We evaluated the occurrence and diversity of third generation cephalosporin-resistant gram-negative bacteria in a lake in the Amazonia region. This water is used for human activities, including consumption after appropriate treatment.

Long-term effects of oxytetracycline exposure in zebrafish: A multi-level perspective.

Oxytetracycline (OTC) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic widely used in livestock production. Like many other pharmaceuticals, OTC is not completely metabolized by the organism and thus, increasing amounts of the compound are being detected in the aquatic environment. The assessment of the environmental risk of pharmaceuticals is hindered by their very low concentrations and specific modes of action and thus relevant exposure scenarios and sensitive endpoints are needed.

Fate of cefotaxime-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and ESBL-producers over a full-scale wastewater treatment process with UV disinfection.

Disinfection by UV radiation is one of the most promising solutions to reduce the bacterial load and antibiotic resistance in the final effluents of urban wastewater treatment plants (UWTP). Our aim was to evaluate the fate of cefotaxime-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) producers in a full-scale system that includes UV-C disinfection. Over treatment, the abundance of cefotaxime-resistant Enterobacteriaceae was reduced, with reductions of 1.