Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1016/j.watres.2025.123627
Title (Primary) Neglected role of virus-host interactions driving antibiotic resistance genes reduction in an urban river receiving treated wastewater
Author Yan, X.; Xin, Y.; Zhu, L.; Tang, Q.; Chen, M.; Wei, Y.; Zhang, J.; Richnow, H.H.
Source Titel Water Research
Year 2025
Department TECH
Volume 282
Page From art. 123627
Language englisch
Topic T7 Bioeconomy
Supplements https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0043135425005378-mmc1.docx
https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0043135425005378-mmc2.xlsx
Keywords Urban river; Treated wastewater; Viral community; Antibiotic resistance genes; Metagenomics
Abstract Treated wastewater from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is a major contributor to the transfer of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) into urban rivers. However, the role of viral communities in this process remains poorly understood. This study focused on North Canal in Beijing, China, which receives over 80% of its water from treated wastewater, to investigate the impact of viral communities on ARGs transfer. Results showed significant seasonal variation in the abundance and composition of ARGs, with 30 high-risk ARGs detected, accounting for 1.50%±1.28% of total ARGs. The assembly of ARGs in North Canal followed a stochastic process of homogenizing dispersal, with conjugative mobility playing a key role in horizontal gene transfer with Pseudomonas as primary host for HGT. The potential conjugative mobility of ARGs is significantly higher in wet season (69.4%±17.3%) compared to dry season (42.9%±17.1%), with conjugation frequencies ranging from 1.18 × 10-6 to 2.26 × 10-4. Viral species accumulation curves approaching saturation indicated the well captured viral diversity, and no phages carrying ARGs were found among 27,523 non-redundant viral operational taxonomic units. Most of the phages (89.2%±3.8%) were lytic in North Canal, which were observed to contribute to ARGs reduction by lysing their host bacteria, reflected by higher virus-host ratio and demonstrated by the phage lysis assays in treated wastewater and receiving river. We provided compelling evidence that phage-host interactions can reduce ARGs through host lysis, highlighting their potential role in mitigating ARG transmission in urban rivers receiving treated wastewater.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=30703
Yan, X., Xin, Y., Zhu, L., Tang, Q., Chen, M., Wei, Y., Zhang, J., Richnow, H.H. (2025):
Neglected role of virus-host interactions driving antibiotic resistance genes reduction in an urban river receiving treated wastewater
Water Res. 282 , art. 123627 10.1016/j.watres.2025.123627