Discovery of sulfonamide resistance genes in deep groundwater below Patna, India

Wilson, George J.L.; Perez-Zabaleta, Mariel; Owusu-Agyeman, Isaac; Kumar, Arun; Ghosh, Ashok; Polya, David A.; Gooddy, Daren C.; Cetecioglu, Zeynep; Richards, Laura A.. 2024 Discovery of sulfonamide resistance genes in deep groundwater below Patna, India. Environmental Pollution, 356, 124205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124205

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Abstract/Summary

Global usage of pharmaceuticals has led to the proliferation of bacteria that are resistant to antimicrobial treatments, creating a substantial public health challenge. Here, we investigate the emergence of sulfonamide resistance genes in groundwater and surface water in Patna, a rapidly developing city in Bihar, India. We report the first quantification of three sulfonamide resistance genes (sulI, sulII and sulIII) in groundwater (12-107 m in depth) in India. The mean relative abundance of gene copies was found to be sulI (2.4 × 10-2 copies/16S rRNA gene) > sulII (5.4 × 10-3 copies/16S rRNA gene) > sulIII (2.4 × 10-3 copies/16S rRNA gene) in groundwater (n = 15) and surface water (n = 3). A comparison between antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes and wastewater indicators, particularly tryptophan:fulvic-like fluorescence, suggests that wastewater was associated with AMR gene prevalence. Urban drainage channels, containing hospital and domestic wastes, are likely a substantial source of antimicrobial resistance in groundwater and surface water, including the Ganges (Ganga) River. This study is a reference point for decision-makers in the fight against antimicrobial resistance because it quantifies and determines potential sources of AMR genes in Indian groundwater.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124205
ISSN:	0269-7491
Additional Keywords:	GroundwaterBGS
Date made live:	05 Aug 2024 12:57 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/537669

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124205

ISSN:

0269-7491

Additional Keywords:

GroundwaterBGS

Date made live:

05 Aug 2024 12:57 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/537669