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Constitutive presence of antibiotic resistance genes within the bacterial community of a large subalpine lake
Author(s) -
Di Cesare Andrea,
Eckert Ester M.,
Teruggi Alessia,
Fontaneto Diego,
Bertoni Roberto,
Callieri Cristiana,
Corno Gianluca
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
molecular ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.619
H-Index - 225
eISSN - 1365-294X
pISSN - 0962-1083
DOI - 10.1111/mec.13293
Subject(s) - biology , ecology , abundance (ecology) , ecosystem , resistance (ecology) , persistence (discontinuity) , ecological niche , bacteria , montane ecology , aquatic ecosystem , habitat , genetics , geotechnical engineering , engineering
The fate of antibiotic resistance genes ( ARG s) in environmental microbial communities is of primary concern as prodromal of a potential transfer to pathogenic bacteria. Although of diverse origin, the persistence of ARG s in aquatic environments is highly influenced by anthropic activities, allowing potential control actions in well‐studied environments. However, knowledge of abundance and space–time distribution of ARG s in ecosystems is still scarce. Using quantitative real‐time PCR, we investigated the presence and the abundance of twelve ARG s (against tetracyclines, β‐lactams, aminoglycosides, quinolones and sulphonamides) at different sampling sites, depths and seasons, in Lake Maggiore, a large subalpine lake, and in the area of its watershed. We then evaluated the correlation between each ARG and a number of ecological parameters in the water column in the deepest part of the lake. Our results suggest the constitutive presence of at least four ARG s within the bacterial community with a high proportion of bacteria potentially resistant to tetracyclines and sulphonamides. The presence of these ARG s was independent of the total bacterial density and temperature. The dynamics of tet (A) and sul II genes were, however, positively correlated with dissolved oxygen and negatively to chlorophyll a, suggesting that the resistant microbes inhabit specific niches. These observations indicate that the lake is a reservoir of antibiotic resistances, highlighting the need of a deeper understanding of the sources of ARG s and the factors allowing their persistence in waters.