Role of wastewater treatment plants on environmental abundance of Antimicrobial Resistance Genes in Chilean rivers.

摘要: Abstract Background Point sources such as wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) commonly discharge their effluent into rivers. Their waste may include antibiotic residues, disinfectants, resistant bacteria (ARB), and Antimicrobial Resistance Genes (ARG). There is evidence that ARG can be found in the natural environment, but attribution to specific point lacking. Objectives The goal of this study was assess release dissemination from three WWTPs southern Chile via two pathways: through river systems, wild birds. Methods A longitudinal conducted, collecting sediment samples at different distances both upstream downstream each WWTP. Wild birds were sampled around one once a month for 13 months. microfluidic q-PCR approach used quantify 48 genes covering molecular mechanisms resistance, data analyzed using ordination methods linear mixed regression models. Results statistically significant increase (p  Conclusions While results indicate an influence on abundance rivers, biological significance extent are unclear. In addition, play role disseminating ARG, although association WWTP could not ascertained.