Issue 5, 2024

Carbonaceous particulate matter promotes the horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes

Abstract

There is growing concern about the transfer of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in airborne particulate matter. In this study, we investigated the effects of various types of carbonaceous particulate matter (CPM) on the transfer of ARGs in vitro. The results showed that CPM promoted the transfer of ARGs, which was related to the concentration and particle size. Compared with the control group, the transfer frequency was 95.5, 74.7, 65.4, 14.7, and 3.8 times higher in G (graphene), CB (carbon black), NGP (nanographite powder), GP1.6 (graphite powder 1.6 micron), and GP45 (graphite powder 45 micron) groups, respectively. Moreover, the transfer frequency gradually increased with the increase in CPM concentration, while there was a negative relationship between the CPM particle size and conjugative transfer frequency. In addition, the results showed that CPM could promote the transfer of ARGs by increasing ROS, as well as activating the SOS response and expression of conjugative transfer-related genes (trbBp, trfAp, korA, kroB, and trbA). These findings are indicative of the potential risk of CPM for the transfer of ARGs in the environment, enriching our understanding of environmental pollution and further raising awareness of environmental protection.

Graphical abstract: Carbonaceous particulate matter promotes the horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
08 Dec 2023
Accepted
27 Mar 2024
First published
29 Mar 2024

Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2024,26, 915-927

Carbonaceous particulate matter promotes the horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes

X. Peng, J. Zhou, Z. Lan, R. Tan, T. Chen, D. Shi, H. Li, Z. Yang, S. Zhou, M. Jin, J. Li and D. Yang, Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2024, 26, 915 DOI: 10.1039/D3EM00547J

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