4.7 Article

Acquisition of antibiotic resistance genes on human skin after swimming in the ocean

Journal

ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
Volume 197, Issue -, Pages -

Publisher

ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.110978

Keywords

Antibiotic resistance; Skin microbiome; Recreational water; Sequencing; Skin infections

Funding

  1. NSF [CBET 1806066, 1804166]
  2. UCI Oceans Fellowship
  3. Directorate For Engineering [1804166] Funding Source: National Science Foundation
  4. Div Of Chem, Bioeng, Env, & Transp Sys [1804166] Funding Source: National Science Foundation

Ask authors/readers for more resources

This study found that the composition of the skin microbiome is altered after swimming, and the abundance and diversity of antibiotic resistance genes, antibiotic biosynthesis genes, and virulence factor genes on the skin increase post-swim.
The skin is a complex organ responsible for protecting the body from physical, chemical and biological insults. The skin microbiome is known to play an important role in protecting the host from skin infections. This study examined the skin microbiome and the changes in antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), antibiotic biosynthesis genes (ABSGs) and virulence factor genes (VFGs) on human skin before and after swimming in the ocean. Skin microbiome samples were collected from human participants before and after they swam in the ocean, and at 6 h and 24 h post-swim. The samples were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene and shotgun metagenomic sequencing. The results showed that not only is the skin microbiome composition altered after swimming, but the abundance and diversity of ARGs, ABSGs and VFGs on the skin increased post-swim. Overall, there was an increase in total ARGs by 70.6% from before to after swimming. The elevated number of ARGs persisted and continued to increase for at least 6 h post-swim with greater than a 300% increase in comparison with samples collected before ocean swimming. The outcomes of the study support the epidemiological observations of increased risk of skin infections after swimming in the ocean. Cleaning the skin immediately after recreational ocean activities is recommended to reduce the opportunity for infection.

Authors

I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.

Reviews

Primary Rating

4.7
Not enough ratings

Secondary Ratings

Novelty
-
Significance
-
Scientific rigor
-
Rate this paper

Recommended

No Data Available
No Data Available