Deciphering the distribution and microbial secretors of extracellular polymeric substances associated antibiotic resistance genes in tube wall biofilm

Antibiotics and disinfectants have both been proposed to exert selective pressures on the biofilm as well as affecting the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). However, the transfer mechanism of ARGs in drinking water distribution system (DWDS) under the coupling effect of antibiotics and disinfectants has not been completely understood. In the current study, four lab-scale biological annular reactors (BARs) were constructed to evaluate the ef-fects of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and NaClO coupling in DWDS and reveal the related mechanisms of ARGs prolifera-tion. TetM was abundant in both the liquid phase and the biofilm, and redundancy analysis showed that the total organic carbon (TOC) and temperature were significantly correlated with ARGs in the water phase. There was a signif-icant correlation between the relative abundance of ARGs in the biofilm phase and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Additionally, the proliferation and spread of ARGs in water phase were related to microbial community struc-ture. Partial least-squares path modeling showed that antibiotic concentration may influence ARGs by affecting MGEs. These findings help us to better understand the diffusion process of ARGs in drinking water and provide a theoretical support for technologies to control ARGs at the front of pipeline.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the combined effects of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and NaClO in a drinking water distribution system (DWDS) and revealed the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) proliferation. Results showed that TetM gene was abundant in both the liquid phase and the biofilm, and total organic carbon (TOC) and temperature were significantly correlated with ARGs in the water phase. ARG abundance in the biofilm phase was correlated with extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Microbial community structure influenced the proliferation and spread of ARGs in the water phase. Antibiotic concentration influenced ARGs by affecting mobile genetic elements (MGEs).