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Antibiotics and Environment − Research and Development toward the One...
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Antibiotics and Environment − Research and Development toward the One Health Approach

A special issue of Antibiotics (ISSN 2079-6382).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 December 2024 | Viewed by 16234

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Takashi Azuma

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacy, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University, 4-20-1 Nasahara, Takatsuki 569-1094, Osaka, Japan
Interests: antibiotics; occurrence; wastewater; river; aquatic environment; ecotoxicity; antimicrobial-resistance (AMR); advanced water treatment; environmental risk assessment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Research on health and environmental risk assessments and countermeasures against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are ongoing across the globe. The spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria is causing increasing concern about the future of antimicrobial use and other measures to control infectious diseases, and the problem of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria is now considered an important issue that requires urgent countermeasures and effective action by the World Health Organization (WHO). In addition to clinical cases, community-acquired infections caused by healthy carriers and outbreaks of antimicrobial-resistant strains originating from livestock, fisheries, and other industries are also becoming problematic. It is essential to comprehensively understand the trend of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria on a global scale, and a one health approach is desired to combat all of these problems.

The problem of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in the environment manifests itself in a wide variety of systems originating from humans and animals, which occur simultaneously in a complex mixture of these systems. Assessing the present situation, clarifying the occurrence and fate in the environment, assessing environmental risks, and taking effective measures to reduce or mitigate risks are methods that can provide useful knowledge for finding a point of coexistence between modern, affluent lifestyles and sustainable human prosperity.

In this Special Issue, on the topics of antimicrobials and the environment or antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and antimicrobials in the environment, intends to focus on broad environmental spaces, including rivers, lakes, marine areas, water treatment plants, wastewater treatment plants, and animal and livestock facilities. We invite research papers on the current situations of occurrence and dynamics, and purification methods that could be effective for reducing or mitigating human and animal health risks. This Special Issue also calls for review articles that propose the development of analytical methods based on novel approaches, summarize past research cases, and propose future measures to combat antimicrobial-resistant bacteria through the one health approach.

Dr. Takashi Azuma
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

  • antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
  • antimicrobials
  • water purification plant (WTP)
  • wastewater treatment plant (WWTP)
  • hospital wastewater
  • livestock environment
  • aquaculture farm environment
  • aquatic environment

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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15 pages, 1022 KiB  
Article
Listeria monocytogenes in Fruits and Vegetables: Antimicrobial Resistance, Biofilm, and Genomic Insights
by María Guadalupe Avila-Novoa, Oscar Alberto Solis-Velazquez, Pedro Javier Guerrero-Medina, Liliana Martínez-Chávez, Nanci Edid Martínez-Gonzáles and Melesio Gutiérrez-Lomelí
Antibiotics 2024, 13(11), 1039; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13111039 - 3 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1430
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that can infect both humans and animals and cause noninvasive gastrointestinal listeriosis or invasive listeriosis. The objectives of this study were to determine the genetic diversity of L. monocytogenes; the genes associated with its resistance [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that can infect both humans and animals and cause noninvasive gastrointestinal listeriosis or invasive listeriosis. The objectives of this study were to determine the genetic diversity of L. monocytogenes; the genes associated with its resistance to antibiotics, benzalkonium chloride (BC), and cadmium chloride (CdCl2); and its biofilm formation. Methods: A total of 132 fresh fruits (44 samples) and vegetables (88 samples) were selected for this study. The genetic diversity of the isolates and the genes associated with their antibiotic resistance were determined using PCR amplification; meanwhile, their levels of susceptibility to antibiotics were determined using the agar diffusion method. Their levels of resistance to BC and CdCl2 were determined using the minimum inhibitory concentration method, and their capacity for biofilm formation was evaluated using the crystal violet staining method. Results: A total of 17 L. monocytogenes strains were collected: 12.8% (17/132) from fresh fruits and vegetables in this study. The isolates of L. monocytogenes belonged to phylogenetic groups I.1 (29.4% (5/17); serotype 1/2a) and II.2 (70.5% (12/17); serotype 1/2b); strains containing Listeria pathogenicity islands (LIPIs) were also identified at prevalence rates of 100% for LIPI-1 and LIPI-2 (17/17), 29.4% for LIPI-3 (5/17), and 11.7% for LIPI-4 (2/17). The antibiotic susceptibility tests showed that the L. monocytogenes isolates exhibited six different multiresistant patterns, with multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index of ≥0.46 (70.5%; 12/17); additionally, the genes Ide, tetM, and msrA, associated with efflux pump Lde, tetracycline, and ciprofloxacin resistance, were detected at 52.9% (9/17), 29.4% (5/17), and 17.6% (3/17), respectively. The phenotypic tests showed that 58.8% (10/17) of cadmium-resistant L. monocytogenes isolates had a co-resistance of 23.5% (4/17) to BC. Finally, all strains of L. monocytogenes exhibited moderate biofilm production. Conclusions: The results of this study contribute to our understanding of the persistence and genetic diversity of L. monocytogenes strains isolated from fresh fruits and vegetables; in addition, their resistance to CdCl2, which is correlated with co-resistance to BC disinfectant, is helpful for the food industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antibiotics and Environment − Research and Development toward the One Health Approach)
13 pages, 1322 KiB  
Article
Identification of Antimicrobial-Resistant Zoonotic Bacteria in Swine Production: Implications from the One Health Perspective
by Maria Paz Ventero, Clara Marin, Lourdes Migura-Garcia, Carla Tort-Miro, Noemi Giler, Inmaculada Gomez, Isabel Escribano, Ana Marco-Fuertes, Laura Montoro-Dasi, Laura Lorenzo-Rebenaque, Santiago Vega, Maria Teresa Pérez-Gracia and Juan Carlos Rodríguez
Antibiotics 2024, 13(9), 883; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13090883 - 13 Sep 2024
Viewed by 2105
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance poses a major threat to global health and food security and is primarily driven by antimicrobial use in human and veterinary medicine. Understanding its epidemiology at farm level is crucial for effective control measures. Despite the significant reduction in antibiotic use [...] Read more.
Antimicrobial resistance poses a major threat to global health and food security and is primarily driven by antimicrobial use in human and veterinary medicine. Understanding its epidemiology at farm level is crucial for effective control measures. Despite the significant reduction in antibiotic use in conventional livestock production, the swine sector traditionally has a higher level of antibiotic use in veterinary medicine. Consequently, multidrug resistance (MDR) among microbial isolates of swine origin has been relatively frequent. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, enteric pathogens and resistance genes to the main antibiotics used in clinical practice, both within the environment and in animals across pig farms characterized by varying degrees of sanitary status. A total of 274 samples were collected. Of these, 34 samples were collected from the environment (wall swabs, slat swabs and slurry pit), and 240 samples were collected from animals (sows’ and piglets’ rectal faeces). All samples were analysed for MDR bacteria and enteric pathogens. The study revealed a high frequency of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales and Campylobacter spp., with ESBL-producing Enterobacterales predominating in high health status farms (environment and animals) and Campylobacter spp. in both high health status and low health status environments. Additionally, a high percentage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was found, mainly in environmental samples from high health status farms, and Clostridioides difficile was distributed ubiquitously among farms and samples. Furthermore, though less frequently, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) was isolated only in high health status farms, and Gram-negative bacilli resistant to carbapenems were isolated only in environmental samples of high health status and low health status farms. This study underscores the importance of surveillance for MDR bacteria in farm animals and their environment, including their waste. Such ecosystems serve as crucial reservoirs of bacteria, requiring national-level surveillance to promote responsible antibiotic use and pandemic control. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antibiotics and Environment − Research and Development toward the One Health Approach)
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24 pages, 2098 KiB  
Article
Antibiotic Residues and Resistance in Three Wastewater Treatment Plants in Romania
by Svetlana Iuliana Polianciuc, Alexandra Ciorîță, Maria Loredana Soran, Ildiko Lung, Béla Kiss, Maria Georgia Ștefan, Daniel Corneliu Leucuța, Anca Elena Gurzău, Rahela Carpa, Liora Mihaela Colobațiu and Felicia Loghin
Antibiotics 2024, 13(8), 780; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13080780 - 19 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1103
Abstract
This study evaluates antibiotic residues and bacterial loads in influent and effluent samples from three wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Romania, across four seasons from 2021 to 2022. Analytical methods included solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to quantify antibiotic concentrations, while [...] Read more.
This study evaluates antibiotic residues and bacterial loads in influent and effluent samples from three wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Romania, across four seasons from 2021 to 2022. Analytical methods included solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to quantify antibiotic concentrations, while microbiological assays estimated bacterial loads and assessed antibiotic resistance patterns. Statistical analyses explored the impact of environmental factors such as temperature and rainfall on antibiotic levels. The results showed significant seasonal variations, with higher antibiotic concentrations in warmer seasons. Antibiotic removal efficiency varied among WWTPs, with some antibiotics being effectively removed and others persisting in the effluent, posing high environmental risks and potential for antibiotic resistance development. Bacterial loads were higher in spring and summer, correlating with increased temperatures. Eight bacterial strains were isolated, with higher resistance during warmer seasons, particularly to amoxicillin and clarithromycin. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antibiotics and Environment − Research and Development toward the One Health Approach)
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12 pages, 1942 KiB  
Article
Influence of CO2 and Dust on the Survival of Non-Resistant and Multi-Resistant Airborne E. coli Strains
by Viktoria Agarwal, Elena Abd El, Silvia Giulia Danelli, Elena Gatta, Dario Massabò, Federico Mazzei, Benedikt Meier, Paolo Prati, Virginia Vernocchi and Jing Wang
Antibiotics 2024, 13(6), 558; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13060558 - 14 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1147
Abstract
The airborne transmission of bacterial pathogens poses a significant challenge to public health, especially with the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains. This study investigated environmental factors influencing the survival of airborne bacteria, focusing on the effects of different carbon dioxide (CO2) and [...] Read more.
The airborne transmission of bacterial pathogens poses a significant challenge to public health, especially with the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains. This study investigated environmental factors influencing the survival of airborne bacteria, focusing on the effects of different carbon dioxide (CO2) and dust concentrations. The experiments were conducted in an atmospheric simulation chamber using the non-resistant wild-type E. coli K12 (JM109) and a multi-resistant variant (JM109-pEC958). Different CO2 (100 ppm, 800 ppm, 3000 ppm) and dust concentrations (250 µg m−3, 500 µg m−3, 2000 µg m−3) were tested to encompass a wide range of CO2 and dust levels. The results revealed that JM109-pEC958 exhibited greater resilience to high CO2 and dust concentrations compared to its non-resistant counterpart. At 3000 ppm CO2, the survival rate of JM109 was significantly reduced, while the survival rate of JM109-pEC958 remained unaffected. At the dust concentration of 250 µg m−3, JM109 exhibited significantly reduced survival, whereas JM109-pEC958 did not. When the dust concentration was increased to 500 and 2000 µg m−3, even the JM109-pEC958 experienced substantially reduced survival rates, which were still significantly higher than those of its non-resistant counterpart at these concentrations. These findings suggest that multi-resistant E. coli strains possess mechanisms enabling them to endure extreme environmental conditions better than non-resistant strains, potentially involving regulatory genes or efflux pumps. The study underscores the importance of understanding bacterial adaptation strategies to develop effective mitigation approaches against antibiotic-resistant bacteria in atmospheric environments. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the interplay between environmental stressors and bacterial survival, serving as a foundational step towards elucidating the adaptation mechanisms of multi-resistant bacteria and informing strategies for combating antibiotic resistance in the atmosphere. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antibiotics and Environment − Research and Development toward the One Health Approach)
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13 pages, 2068 KiB  
Article
Inactivation of Bacteria and Residual Antimicrobials in Hospital Wastewater by Ozone Treatment
by Takashi Azuma, Miwa Katagiri, Tsuyoshi Sekizuka, Makoto Kuroda and Manabu Watanabe
Antibiotics 2022, 11(7), 862; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11070862 - 27 Jun 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3601
Abstract
The emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a persistent problem globally. In this study, an ozone treatment facility was established for an advanced hospital wastewater treatment in a core hospital facility in an urban area in Japan to evaluate the [...] Read more.
The emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a persistent problem globally. In this study, an ozone treatment facility was established for an advanced hospital wastewater treatment in a core hospital facility in an urban area in Japan to evaluate the inactivation of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and antimicrobials. Metagenomic DNA-seq analysis and the isolation of potential extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria suggested that ozone exposure for at least 20 min is required for the adequate inactivation of DNA and ESBL-producing bacteria. Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species were markedly susceptible to 20-min ozone exposure, whereas Raoultella ornithinolytica and Pseudomonas putida were isolated even after an 80-min exposure. These ozone-resistant bacteria might play a pivotal role as AMR reservoirs in the environment. Nine antimicrobials (ampicillin, cefdinir, cefpodoxime, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, clarithromycin, chlortetracycline, minocycline, and vancomycin) were detected at 373 ng/L to 27 μg/L in the hospital wastewater, and these were removed (96–100% removal) after a 40-min treatment. These results facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the AMR risk posed by hospital wastewater and provides insights for devising strategies to eliminate or mitigate the burden of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and the flow of antimicrobials into the environment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the implementation of a batch-type, plant-scale ozone treatment system in a hospital facility to execute and evaluate the inactivation of drug-resistant bacteria and antimicrobials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antibiotics and Environment − Research and Development toward the One Health Approach)
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17 pages, 580 KiB  
Brief Report
A Universal LC-MS/MS Method for Simultaneous Detection of Antibiotic Residues in Animal and Environmental Samples
by Chak-Lun Chan, Hogan Kok-Fung Wai, Peng Wu, Siu-Wai Lai, Olivia Sinn-Kay Chan and Hein M. Tun
Antibiotics 2022, 11(7), 845; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11070845 - 24 Jun 2022
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 5353
Abstract
Detecting and monitoring the usage of antibiotics is a critical aspect of efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance. Antibiotic residue testing with existing LC-MS/MS methods is limited in detection range. Current methods also lack the capacity to detect multiple antibiotic residues in different samples [...] Read more.
Detecting and monitoring the usage of antibiotics is a critical aspect of efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance. Antibiotic residue testing with existing LC-MS/MS methods is limited in detection range. Current methods also lack the capacity to detect multiple antibiotic residues in different samples simultaneously. In this study, we demonstrate a methodology that permits simultaneous extraction and detection of antibiotic residues in animal and environmental samples. A total of 30 different antibiotics from 13 classes could be qualitatively detected with our methodology. Further study to reduce analytes’ matrix effect would allow for quantification of antibiotic residues. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antibiotics and Environment − Research and Development toward the One Health Approach)
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