ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE GENES IN FRESHWATER ENVIRONMENT: SOURCES, FATE, ECOLOGICAL IMPACT AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Keywords:
Antibiotic resistance genes, Freshwater environment, Microbial communitiesAbstract
Global public health is seriously threatened by antibiotic resistance, making the identification of environmental reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) a crucial area of study. Freshwater ecosystems are particularly important for the spread of ARGs because of the intricate interactions between diverse microbial populations, human activities, and various antibiotic contamination sources. This review aims to offer a thorough understanding of the origin, progression, environmental impact, and medical significance of ARGs in freshwater environment. ARGs enter freshwater systems through various means, including the release of treated and untreated wastewater, agricultural drainage, and discharge of antibiotics and their byproducts. Once introduced, ARGs can endure freshwater environments through processes, such as horizontal gene transfer, co-selection, and biofilm formation. Moreover, the presence of ARGs in freshwater ecosystems has significant ecological consequences, affecting microbial diversity, ecosystem functions, and biogeochemical processes. The clinical relevance of ARGs in freshwater environments is a matter of concern. These genes can be transmitted to disease-causing bacteria, resulting in treatment failure and proliferation of infections that are resistant to multiple drugs. Additionally, the potential for ARGs to contaminate drinking water supplies raises concerns regarding human health. To develop effective strategies for combating the proliferation of antibiotic resistance, it is crucial to understand the behavior of ARGs in freshwater ecosystems. This review emphasizes the necessity of enhanced wastewater treatment technologies, responsible antibiotic usage, and sustainable farming practices to decrease the release and persistence of ARGs in freshwater ecosystems, ultimately protecting public health and maintaining the ecological balance of these vital habitats.
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
FUDMA Journal of Sciences
How to Cite
Most read articles by the same author(s)
- N. N. Ndukwe, E. O. Agbagwa, OCCURRENCE AND IDENTIFICATION OF Bacillus SPECIES FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES OF HONEY , FUDMA JOURNAL OF SCIENCES: Vol. 4 No. 1 (2020): FUDMA Journal of Sciences - Vol. 4 No. 1
- S. T. Tyohemba, S. Aliyu, N. N. Ndukwe, G. G. Memi, U. O. Edem, PURIFICATION OF β-GLUCOSIDASE PRODUCED FROM Trichoderma viride USING COW DUNG AS CARBON SOURCE , FUDMA JOURNAL OF SCIENCES: Vol. 4 No. 2 (2020): FUDMA Journal of Sciences - Vol. 4 No. 2
- H. I. Ibrahim, S. S. Saba, E. A. Ojoko, POST HARVEST LOSS IN RICE PRODUCTION: EVIDENCE FROM A RURAL COMMUNITY IN NORTHERN NIGERIA , FUDMA JOURNAL OF SCIENCES: Vol. 2 No. 1 (2018): FUDMA Journal of Sciences - Vol. 2 No. 1
- S. T. Tyohemba, S. Aliyu, N. N. Ndukwe, G. G. Memi, U. O. Edem, THE EFFECT OF MEDIUM COMPOSITION ON β-GLUCOSIDASE PRODUCTION BY TRICHODERMA VIRIDE USING COW DUNG , FUDMA JOURNAL OF SCIENCES: Vol. 4 No. 1 (2020): FUDMA Journal of Sciences - Vol. 4 No. 1
- D. Ekpa, M. Akinyemi, H. I. Ibrahim, INVESTIGATING CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES IN LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION IN SOKOTO STATE, NIGERIA: AN APPLICATION OF PRINCIPAL COMPONENT ANALYSIS , FUDMA JOURNAL OF SCIENCES: Vol. 1 No. 1 (2017): FUDMA Journal of Sciences - Vol. 1 No. 1
- Abbas Abubakar, H. I. Ibrahim, G. T. Adejare, NEWSPAPER COVERAGE OF FOOD SECURITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ISSUES. A CASE STUDY OF NIGERIAN DAILY NEWSPAPERS , FUDMA JOURNAL OF SCIENCES: Vol. 9 (2025): FUDMA Journal of Sciences - Vol. 9 April (AHB Special Issue)