Unseen Weapons: Bacterial Extracellular Vesicles and the Spread of Antibiotic Resistance in Aquatic Environments

• Published in: International journal of molecular sciences Vol. 25; no. 6; p. 3080
• Main Authors: Barathan, Muttiah, Ng, Sook-Luan, Lokanathan, Yogeswaran, Ng, Min Hwei, Law, Jia Xian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 01.03.2024; MDPI
• Subjects: Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use; antibiotic resistance (ABR); Antibiotics; Antimicrobial agents; Aquaculture; Aquaculture industry; aquatic; Aquatic ecosystems; Bacteria; Bacteria - genetics; bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs); Bacterial infections; Climate change; Decomposition; Disease prevention; Drug dosages; Drug resistance; Drug resistance in microorganisms; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; Earth; Ecosystem; Ecosystems; Effluents; Extracellular Vesicles; Food; Genes, Bacterial; Methicillin; microbial ecology; Penicillin; Proteins; Public health; Purification; Reptiles & amphibians; resistance genes; Review; Rivers; Sewage; Sewer systems; Surface water; Tetracycline; Tetracyclines; Veterinary medicine; Wastewater; Water treatment; China; Malaysia; India; Kenya; South Africa; resistance genes; antibiotic resistance (ABR); aquatic; microbial ecology; bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs)
• ISSN: 1422-0067; 1661-6596; 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms25063080

This paper sheds light on the alarming issue of antibiotic resistance (ABR) in aquatic environments, exploring its detrimental effects on ecosystems and public health. It examines the multifaceted role of antibiotic use in aquaculture, agricultural runoff, and industrial waste in fostering the development and dissemination of resistant bacteria. The intricate interplay between various environmental factors, horizontal gene transfer, and bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs) in accelerating the spread of ABR is comprehensively discussed. Various BEVs carrying resistance genes like , , , and , as well as their contribution to the dominance of multidrug-resistant bacteria, are highlighted. The potential of BEVs as both a threat and a tool in combating ABR is explored, with promising strategies like targeted antimicrobial delivery systems and probiotic-derived EVs holding significant promise. This paper underscores the urgency of understanding the intricate interplay between BEVs and ABR in aquatic environments. By unraveling these unseen weapons, we pave the way for developing effective strategies to mitigate the spread of ABR, advocating for a multidisciplinary approach that includes stringent regulations, enhanced wastewater treatment, and the adoption of sustainable practices in aquaculture.