Bacterial Hosts and Genetic Characteristics of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Wastewater Treatment Plants of Xinjiang (China) Revealed by Metagenomics

Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) pose a widespread concern for human health and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are considered to be major source of ARG transmission. In this paper, the potential hosts genetic characteristics ARGs in influent, activated sludge effluent WWTPs Xinjiang were studied by metagenomics. Bacitracin gene (bacA), beta-lactamase (class A beta-lactamase), multidrug (mexD, qacEdelta1), sulfonamide (sul1, sul2) persistent antibiotic (PARGs). The mainly pathogens, with Escherichia coli (12.9%), Acinetobacter johnsonii (8.94%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (5.30%) accounting highest proportions. Chromosomal sequences plasmid accounted 42.0% 22.6% ARG-carrying contigs (ACCs) respectively. Meanwhile, contained 58.3% ACCs plasmids 8.30% chromosomes. carried chromosomes, while macrolide–lincosamide–streptogramin (MLS), vancomycin, sulfonamide, beta-lactam, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, aminoglycoside plasmids. ICEPae690-sul1-qacEdelta1 ICEPmiChn3-sul2 stable coexistence structures heighten transfer environment. This study provided clearer picture host bacterial sources context