Minimum inhibitory concentrations and antibiotic resistant genes in the freshwater cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa

Dias, Elsa; Oliveira, Micaela; Manageiro, Vera; Vasconcelos, Vitor; Caniça, Manuela

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.18/5643

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Abstract(s)

Native aquatic bacteria have been considered as important players in the emergence/dissemination of antibiotic resistance (AR) in water environments [1,2]. Conversely, the role of cyanobacteria (CB) on water resistome is unknown. We have been hypothesizing that CB may contribute to the spread of AR in the environment, considering that [3]: i) they are ubiquitous prokaryotes in aquatic habitats; ii) they are exposed to antibiotics and AR bacteria; iii) they maintain biological relations with their bacterial neighbors; iv) they can change genetic material by horizontal gene transfer. Microcystis aeruginosa is one of the most common CB in freshwater reservoirs worldwide, often exhibiting long residence time in water surface/column. This work aimed to evaluate the antibiotic susceptibility patterns and resistance mechanisms in M. aeruginosa in order to assess their putative contribution to the global pool of resistance determinants in freshwater environments. The presence of AR genes and integrons, as well as the reduced susceptibility to antibiotics, strongly suggests that CB play a role on freshwater resistome, contributing, eventually, to the dissemination of AR in freshwater environments.

Keywords

Cianobactérias Microcystis aeruginosa Antibiotic Resistance Water Resistome Resistência aos Antimicrobianos Agentes Microbianos e Ambiente Água e Solo