Profiles of environmental antibiotic resistomes in the urban aquatic recipients of Sweden using high-throughput quantitative PCR analysis

Antibiotic resistance in aquatic ecosystems presents an environmental health issue worldwide. Urban recipient water quality is susceptible to effluent discharges with antibiotic contaminants and needs be protected, particularly for those as sources of drinking production. Knowledge on resistome profiles downstream wastewater treatment plants allows a better understanding the extent which emerge spread waters, but such information remains very limited Sweden. The key objective this study was determine numerous genes (ARGs), mobile genetic elements (MGEs) other urban systems connected Sweden's major reservoir. This achieved through analysis surface samples 296 using high-throughput quantitative PCR arrays. A total 167 were detected at least one samples, including 150 ARGs conferring 11 classes antibiotics, 7 integrase MGEs 9 genes. There spatial difference greatest average relative abundance observed body Västerås followed by Uppsala, Stockholm Eskilstuna, similar general pattern sales these regions. against ?-lactams sulfonamides showed highest studied bodies, while vancomycin only found Uppsala environment. Generally, bodies higher numbers greater abundances compared upstream sites. Anthropogenic pollution, i.e., discharge, also reflected finding intI, sul1 crAssphage. Overall, provided first assessment resistomes Sweden, highlighting widespread waters.