摘要

      城市污水处理厂（WWTPs）是重金属（Hg、Ag）抗性基因和抗生素抗性基因（ARGs）的重要贮存库。然而，目前对Hg/Ag抗性基因及其与污水处理厂ARGs的关系的认识还不清楚。在本研究中，我们调查了五个汞/银抗性基因（merB、merD、merR、silE和silR）、五个arg（sulI、sulII、tetO、tetQ、tetW）和一级整合酶（intI1）在污水处理厂中的命运。结果表明，处理系统大大降低了所有靶基因的绝对丰度。merB、merD和silE的动态变化与tetW和sulII显著相关。基于网络分析，Hg/Ag抗性基因可能与tetQ和tetW具有相同的寄主，说明Hg/Ag在ARGs进化和传播中的潜在重要性。这些发现促进了我们对污水处理厂汞/银抗性基因和ARGs的认识。

       Municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are an important reservoir for heavy metal (e.g., Hg and Ag) resistance genes and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). However, current knowledge on Hg/Ag resistance genes and their association with ARGs in WWTPs remains largely unknown. In this study, the fates of five Hg/Ag resistance genes (merB, merD, merR, silE, and silR), five ARGs (sulI, sulII, tetO, tetQ, tetW), and class 1 integrase (intI1) in a WWTP were investigated. Results show that the absolute abundances of all target genes were greatly reduced through the treatment systems. The dynamics of merB, merD and silE were significantly correlated with tetW and sulII. Based on network analysis, Hg/Ag resistance genes might share the same microbial hosts with tetQ and tetW, implying the potential importance of Hg/Ag in ARGs evolution and spread. These findings advanced our understanding of the occurrence of Hg/Ag resistance genes and ARGs in WWTPs.

       https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969718349283?via%3Dihub