Occurrence of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in Urban Karst Groundwater Systems
Antibiotic resistance is a global concern for human, animal, and environmental health. Many studies have identified wastewater treatment plants and surface waters as major reservoirs of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and genes (ARGs). Yet their prevalence in urban karst groundwater systems rema...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-03-01
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| Series: | Water |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/14/6/960 |
| _version_ | 1797440752665493504 |
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| author | Rachel A. Kaiser Jason S. Polk Tania Datta Rohan R. Parekh Getahun E. Agga |
| author_facet | Rachel A. Kaiser Jason S. Polk Tania Datta Rohan R. Parekh Getahun E. Agga |
| author_sort | Rachel A. Kaiser |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Antibiotic resistance is a global concern for human, animal, and environmental health. Many studies have identified wastewater treatment plants and surface waters as major reservoirs of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and genes (ARGs). Yet their prevalence in urban karst groundwater systems remains largely unexplored. Considering the extent of karst groundwater use globally, and the growing urban areas in these regions, there is an urgent need to understand antibiotic resistance in karst systems to protect source water and human health. This study evaluated the prevalence of ARGs associated with resistance phenotypes at 10 urban karst features in Bowling Green, Kentucky weekly for 46 weeks. To expand the understanding of prevalence in urban karst, a spot sampling of 45 sites in the Tampa Bay Metropolitan area, Florida was also conducted. Specifically, this study considered tetracycline and extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBLs) producing, including third generation cephalosporin, resistant <i>E. coli</i>, and tetracycline and macrolide resistant <i>Enterococcus</i> spp. across the 443 Kentucky and 45 Florida samples. A consistent prevalence of clinically relevant and urban associated ARGs were found throughout the urban karst systems, regardless of varying urban development, karst geology, climate, or landuse. These findings indicate urban karst groundwater as a reservoir for antibiotic resistance, potentially threatening human health. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T12:12:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7359f662cebd40218f934e185a121196 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4441 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T12:12:53Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Water |
| spelling | doaj.art-7359f662cebd40218f934e185a1211962023-11-30T22:49:50ZengMDPI AGWater2073-44412022-03-0114696010.3390/w14060960Occurrence of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in Urban Karst Groundwater SystemsRachel A. Kaiser0Jason S. Polk1Tania Datta2Rohan R. Parekh3Getahun E. Agga4School of Environmental Studies, College of Interdisciplinary Studies, Tennessee Technological University, 1 William L Jones Drive, Cookeville, TN 38505, USAEarth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences Department, Ogden College of Science and Engineering, 1906 College Heights Blvd., Bowling Green, KY 42101, USACivil and Environmental Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Tennessee Technological University, 1 William L Jones Drive, Cookeville, TN 38505, USAAgricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Food Animal Environmental Systems Research, 2413 Nashville Road B5, Bowling Green, KY 42101, USAAgricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Food Animal Environmental Systems Research, 2413 Nashville Road B5, Bowling Green, KY 42101, USAAntibiotic resistance is a global concern for human, animal, and environmental health. Many studies have identified wastewater treatment plants and surface waters as major reservoirs of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and genes (ARGs). Yet their prevalence in urban karst groundwater systems remains largely unexplored. Considering the extent of karst groundwater use globally, and the growing urban areas in these regions, there is an urgent need to understand antibiotic resistance in karst systems to protect source water and human health. This study evaluated the prevalence of ARGs associated with resistance phenotypes at 10 urban karst features in Bowling Green, Kentucky weekly for 46 weeks. To expand the understanding of prevalence in urban karst, a spot sampling of 45 sites in the Tampa Bay Metropolitan area, Florida was also conducted. Specifically, this study considered tetracycline and extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBLs) producing, including third generation cephalosporin, resistant <i>E. coli</i>, and tetracycline and macrolide resistant <i>Enterococcus</i> spp. across the 443 Kentucky and 45 Florida samples. A consistent prevalence of clinically relevant and urban associated ARGs were found throughout the urban karst systems, regardless of varying urban development, karst geology, climate, or landuse. These findings indicate urban karst groundwater as a reservoir for antibiotic resistance, potentially threatening human health.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/14/6/960antibiotic resistant bacteriaantibiotic resistant genesresistance phenotypesurban karst groundwater |
| spellingShingle | Rachel A. Kaiser Jason S. Polk Tania Datta Rohan R. Parekh Getahun E. Agga Occurrence of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in Urban Karst Groundwater Systems Water antibiotic resistant bacteria antibiotic resistant genes resistance phenotypes urban karst groundwater |
| title | Occurrence of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in Urban Karst Groundwater Systems |
| title_full | Occurrence of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in Urban Karst Groundwater Systems |
| title_fullStr | Occurrence of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in Urban Karst Groundwater Systems |
| title_full_unstemmed | Occurrence of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in Urban Karst Groundwater Systems |
| title_short | Occurrence of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in Urban Karst Groundwater Systems |
| title_sort | occurrence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in urban karst groundwater systems |
| topic | antibiotic resistant bacteria antibiotic resistant genes resistance phenotypes urban karst groundwater |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/14/6/960 |
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