Aquatic insects as a vector for antibiotic resistant gene-bearing bacteria
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Date
2018
Authors
Lobson, Chelsea
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Abstract
Antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) are commonly detected in microbes from effluents emanating from municipal wastewater lagoons on the Canadian Prairies. Previous studies have reported the detection of ARGs on insects in agricultural areas. I hypothesized that insects emerging from wastewater lagoons could be a vector for the transfer of microbes bearing ARGs to surrounding environments. To test our hypothesis, I conducted a semi-controlled, field-based mesocosm study at the Prairie Wetland Research Facility, as well as a field study at the Dunnottar, MB wastewater lagoons. At each site, emergence traps were set up to capture insects and water samples were collected to analyze for ARGs and associated antibiotics. I was unable to measure ARGs or 16S-rRNA in insects emerging from the systems. I concluded that, because I were unable to measure 16S-rRNA or sulfonamide resistant genes in the emerged insects, they are likely not a significant source of ARGs to the wider environment.
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Keywords
Antibiotic resistance genes, aquatic toxicology, aquatic insects, sulfamethoxazole