摘要

       市政污水处理厂 (WWTP) 是重金属（例如 Hg 和 Ag）抗性基因和抗生素抗性基因 (ARG) 的重要储存库。 然而，目前关于 Hg/Ag 抗性基因及其与污水处理厂中 ARG 的关联的知识在很大程度上仍然未知。 在本研究中，污水处理厂中五种 Hg/Ag 抗性基因（merB、merD、merR、silE 和 silR）、五种 ARG（sulI、sulII、tetO、tetQ、tetW）和 1 类整合酶 (intI1) 的命运 被调查。 结果表明，所有靶基因的绝对丰度通过处理系统大大降低。 merB、merD 和 silE 的动态与 tetW 和 sulII 显着相关。 基于网络分析，Hg/Ag 抗性基因可能与 tetQ 和 tetW 共享相同的微生物宿主，暗示 Hg/Ag 在 ARG 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中 Hg/Ag 抗性基因和 ARG 的发生的理解。

       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/abs/pii/S0048969718349283