Occurrence of antibiotic resistance genes and potentially pathogenic bacteria in the Yangtze River tributary (Nanjing section) and their correlation with environmental factors

Abstract Freshwater environments are vulnerable to emerging contaminants such as Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and their occurrence is gaining more attention. However, the of ARGs along with potential pathogens less explored. The current study aimed evaluate abundance explore bacterial communities for presence in water samples collected from a tributary Yangtze River Nanjing. Twelve physico-chemical parameters were analyzed, followed by quantifying 10 targeting sulfonamide ( sul1, sul2 ), tetracycline tetG, tetM, tetQ erythromycin ermB vancomycin vanA, vanR streptomycin strA, strB ) using real-time PCR diversity characterization high-throughput 16 S rRNA sequencing. results indicated poor quality high-level eutrophication most sampling locations. sul1 , dominant area average concentrations 6.8, 7.1, 6.5 Log gene copies/100 ml, respectively. Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria main phyla detected area, genus-level analysis revealed eight pathogenic ten fecal-associated genera at several locations area. distance-based Redundancy that total phosphorus, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, solids, ammonium-N (NH 4 + -N), chlorophyll had significantly influenced community composition monitored Correlation demonstrated temperature, pH, NH -N, organic carbon positively correlated tetG genes, indicating these environmental affected distribution pattern. Overall, our provide valuable information regarding area; however, co-existence highlights increased human health risks.