TY  - JOUR
AU  - Schachner-Gröhs, Iris
AU  - Koller, Michael
AU  - Leopold, Melanie
AU  - Kolm, Claudia
AU  - Linke, Rita
AU  - Jakwerth, Stefan
AU  - Kolarević, Stoimir
AU  - Kračun-Kolarević, Margareta
AU  - Kandler, Wolfgang
AU  - Sulyok, Michael
AU  - Vierheilig, Julia
AU  - Toumi, Marwene
AU  - Farkas, Rózsa
AU  - Toth, Erika
AU  - Kittinger, Clemens
AU  - Zarfel, Gernot
AU  - Farnleitner, Andreas
AU  - Kirschner, Alexander
PY  - 2024
UR  - http://radar.ibiss.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/6581
AB  - The global spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the environment is a growing health threat. Large rivers are of particular concern as they are highly impacted by wastewater discharge while being vital lifelines serving various human needs. A comprehensive understanding of occurrence, spread and key drivers of AMR along whole river courses is largely lacking. We provide a holistic approach by studying spatiotemporal patterns and hotspots of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) along 2311 km of the navigable Danube River, combining a longitudinal and temporal monitoring campaign. The integration of advanced faecal pollution diagnostics and environmental and chemical key parameters allowed linking ARG concentrations to the major pollution sources and explaining the observed patterns. Nine AMR markers, including genes conferring resistance to five different antibiotic classes of clinical and environmental relevance, and one integrase gene were determined by probe-based qPCR. All AMR targets could be quantified in Danube River water, with intI1 and sul1 being ubiquitously abundant, qnrS, tetM, blaTEM with intermediate abundance and blaOXA-48like, blaCTX−M-1 group, blaCTX−M-9 group and blaKPC genes with rare occurrence. Human faecal pollution from municipal wastewater discharges was the dominant factor shaping ARG patterns along the Danube River. Other significant correlations of specific ARGs were observed with discharge, certain metals and pesticides. In contrast, intI1 was not associated with wastewater but was already established in the water microbiome. Animal contamination was detected only sporadically and was correlated with ARGs only in the temporal sampling set. During temporal monitoring, an extraordinary hotspot was identified emphasizing the variability within natural waters. This study provides the first comprehensive baseline concentrations of ARGs in the Danube River and lays the foundation for monitoring future trends and evaluating potential reduction measures. The applided holistic approach proved to be a valuable methodological contribution towards a better understanding of the environmental occurrence of AMR.
PB  - Elsevier
T2  - Water Research
T1  - Linking antibiotic resistance gene patterns with advanced faecal pollution assessment and environmental key parameters along 2300 km of the Danube River
VL  - 252
DO  - 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121244
SP  - 121244
ER  - 

@article{
author = "Schachner-Gröhs, Iris and Koller, Michael and Leopold, Melanie and Kolm, Claudia and Linke, Rita and Jakwerth, Stefan and Kolarević, Stoimir and Kračun-Kolarević, Margareta and Kandler, Wolfgang and Sulyok, Michael and Vierheilig, Julia and Toumi, Marwene and Farkas, Rózsa and Toth, Erika and Kittinger, Clemens and Zarfel, Gernot and Farnleitner, Andreas and Kirschner, Alexander",
year = "2024",
abstract = "The global spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the environment is a growing health threat. Large rivers are of particular concern as they are highly impacted by wastewater discharge while being vital lifelines serving various human needs. A comprehensive understanding of occurrence, spread and key drivers of AMR along whole river courses is largely lacking. We provide a holistic approach by studying spatiotemporal patterns and hotspots of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) along 2311 km of the navigable Danube River, combining a longitudinal and temporal monitoring campaign. The integration of advanced faecal pollution diagnostics and environmental and chemical key parameters allowed linking ARG concentrations to the major pollution sources and explaining the observed patterns. Nine AMR markers, including genes conferring resistance to five different antibiotic classes of clinical and environmental relevance, and one integrase gene were determined by probe-based qPCR. All AMR targets could be quantified in Danube River water, with intI1 and sul1 being ubiquitously abundant, qnrS, tetM, blaTEM with intermediate abundance and blaOXA-48like, blaCTX−M-1 group, blaCTX−M-9 group and blaKPC genes with rare occurrence. Human faecal pollution from municipal wastewater discharges was the dominant factor shaping ARG patterns along the Danube River. Other significant correlations of specific ARGs were observed with discharge, certain metals and pesticides. In contrast, intI1 was not associated with wastewater but was already established in the water microbiome. Animal contamination was detected only sporadically and was correlated with ARGs only in the temporal sampling set. During temporal monitoring, an extraordinary hotspot was identified emphasizing the variability within natural waters. This study provides the first comprehensive baseline concentrations of ARGs in the Danube River and lays the foundation for monitoring future trends and evaluating potential reduction measures. The applided holistic approach proved to be a valuable methodological contribution towards a better understanding of the environmental occurrence of AMR.",
publisher = "Elsevier",
journal = "Water Research",
title = "Linking antibiotic resistance gene patterns with advanced faecal pollution assessment and environmental key parameters along 2300 km of the Danube River",
volume = "252",
doi = "10.1016/j.watres.2024.121244",
pages = "121244"
}

Schachner-Gröhs, I., Koller, M., Leopold, M., Kolm, C., Linke, R., Jakwerth, S., Kolarević, S., Kračun-Kolarević, M., Kandler, W., Sulyok, M., Vierheilig, J., Toumi, M., Farkas, R., Toth, E., Kittinger, C., Zarfel, G., Farnleitner, A.,& Kirschner, A.. (2024). Linking antibiotic resistance gene patterns with advanced faecal pollution assessment and environmental key parameters along 2300 km of the Danube River. in Water Research
Elsevier., 252, 121244.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2024.121244

Schachner-Gröhs I, Koller M, Leopold M, Kolm C, Linke R, Jakwerth S, Kolarević S, Kračun-Kolarević M, Kandler W, Sulyok M, Vierheilig J, Toumi M, Farkas R, Toth E, Kittinger C, Zarfel G, Farnleitner A, Kirschner A. Linking antibiotic resistance gene patterns with advanced faecal pollution assessment and environmental key parameters along 2300 km of the Danube River. in Water Research. 2024;252:121244.
doi:10.1016/j.watres.2024.121244 .

Schachner-Gröhs, Iris, Koller, Michael, Leopold, Melanie, Kolm, Claudia, Linke, Rita, Jakwerth, Stefan, Kolarević, Stoimir, Kračun-Kolarević, Margareta, Kandler, Wolfgang, Sulyok, Michael, Vierheilig, Julia, Toumi, Marwene, Farkas, Rózsa, Toth, Erika, Kittinger, Clemens, Zarfel, Gernot, Farnleitner, Andreas, Kirschner, Alexander, "Linking antibiotic resistance gene patterns with advanced faecal pollution assessment and environmental key parameters along 2300 km of the Danube River" in Water Research, 252 (2024):121244,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2024.121244 . .

TY  - CONF
AU  - Farnleitner, Andreas
AU  - Schachner, Iris
AU  - Jakwerth, Stefan
AU  - Kittinger, Clemens
AU  - Zarfel, Gernot
AU  - Kavka, Gerhard
AU  - Kolarević, Stoimir
AU  - Kračun-Kolarević, Margareta
AU  - Toth, Erika
AU  - Blaschke, Alfred
AU  - Derx, Julia
AU  - Linke, Rita
AU  - Demeter, Katalin
AU  - Savio, Domenico
AU  - Resicher, Georg
AU  - Kir, Alexander
PY  - 2023
UR  - http://radar.ibiss.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/6596
AB  - Sustainable and target-oriented microbiological water quality management of rivers needs
information on whole river systems, especially if catchments are large and international. The
microbiological water quality of rivers is of uttermost relevance for human health as river water is
used for several purposes (recreation, drinking water production, irrigation). Besides information on
faecal pollution levels, the origin of faecal pollution and the assessment of associated infection- and
health risks, e g. from antimicrobial resistant bacteria (ARB) are of increasing importance. This
contribution summarizes the concepts and main results from the Joint-Danube-Surveys (JDS) and
discusses future challenges and perspectives (pollution-scenario modelling, infection-risk
assessment) for the Danube River concerning its faecal and AMR pollution status.
Between 2001 and 2019, the whole Danube was sampled four times during the JDS 1 to 4. Beside
standard faecal indicator analysis, cutting-edge molecular detection concepts were applied, including
microbial source tracking (MST) markers by quantitative PCR (qPCR) and high-throughput ampliconsequencing of bacterial communities. For AMR-profiling, clinically relevant bacterial species were
isolated and tested for resistances and resistance genes were determined via qPCR.
With this, we could impressively demonstrate that the JDS create the required multi-national “big
picture” of the microbiological pollution status of the Danube River. Harmonised trans-border
microbiological water quality maps for the whole navigable Danube were established. MST marker
analysis elucidated that the main faecal pollution source along the whole river is human wastewater.
Combined analysis of faecal indicators, MST and AMR-profiles provided a solid basis for assessing the
potential health impacts of AMR associated with faecal pollution
PB  - Austrian Committee - International Association for Danube Research
C3  - Conference Book: 44th IAD conference: Tackling Present & Future Environmental Challenges of a European Riverscape; 2023 Feb 6-9; Krems, Austria
T1  - Joint Danube Survey 1 to 4: Concepts, Lessons Learned and Future Visions on Faecal Pollution and Antimicrobial Resistance
SP  - 9
UR  - https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6596
ER  - 

@conference{
author = "Farnleitner, Andreas and Schachner, Iris and Jakwerth, Stefan and Kittinger, Clemens and Zarfel, Gernot and Kavka, Gerhard and Kolarević, Stoimir and Kračun-Kolarević, Margareta and Toth, Erika and Blaschke, Alfred and Derx, Julia and Linke, Rita and Demeter, Katalin and Savio, Domenico and Resicher, Georg and Kir, Alexander",
year = "2023",
abstract = "Sustainable and target-oriented microbiological water quality management of rivers needs
information on whole river systems, especially if catchments are large and international. The
microbiological water quality of rivers is of uttermost relevance for human health as river water is
used for several purposes (recreation, drinking water production, irrigation). Besides information on
faecal pollution levels, the origin of faecal pollution and the assessment of associated infection- and
health risks, e g. from antimicrobial resistant bacteria (ARB) are of increasing importance. This
contribution summarizes the concepts and main results from the Joint-Danube-Surveys (JDS) and
discusses future challenges and perspectives (pollution-scenario modelling, infection-risk
assessment) for the Danube River concerning its faecal and AMR pollution status.
Between 2001 and 2019, the whole Danube was sampled four times during the JDS 1 to 4. Beside
standard faecal indicator analysis, cutting-edge molecular detection concepts were applied, including
microbial source tracking (MST) markers by quantitative PCR (qPCR) and high-throughput ampliconsequencing of bacterial communities. For AMR-profiling, clinically relevant bacterial species were
isolated and tested for resistances and resistance genes were determined via qPCR.
With this, we could impressively demonstrate that the JDS create the required multi-national “big
picture” of the microbiological pollution status of the Danube River. Harmonised trans-border
microbiological water quality maps for the whole navigable Danube were established. MST marker
analysis elucidated that the main faecal pollution source along the whole river is human wastewater.
Combined analysis of faecal indicators, MST and AMR-profiles provided a solid basis for assessing the
potential health impacts of AMR associated with faecal pollution",
publisher = "Austrian Committee - International Association for Danube Research",
journal = "Conference Book: 44th IAD conference: Tackling Present & Future Environmental Challenges of a European Riverscape; 2023 Feb 6-9; Krems, Austria",
title = "Joint Danube Survey 1 to 4: Concepts, Lessons Learned and Future Visions on Faecal Pollution and Antimicrobial Resistance",
pages = "9",
url = "https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6596"
}

Farnleitner, A., Schachner, I., Jakwerth, S., Kittinger, C., Zarfel, G., Kavka, G., Kolarević, S., Kračun-Kolarević, M., Toth, E., Blaschke, A., Derx, J., Linke, R., Demeter, K., Savio, D., Resicher, G.,& Kir, A.. (2023). Joint Danube Survey 1 to 4: Concepts, Lessons Learned and Future Visions on Faecal Pollution and Antimicrobial Resistance. in Conference Book: 44th IAD conference: Tackling Present & Future Environmental Challenges of a European Riverscape; 2023 Feb 6-9; Krems, Austria
Austrian Committee - International Association for Danube Research., 9.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6596

Farnleitner A, Schachner I, Jakwerth S, Kittinger C, Zarfel G, Kavka G, Kolarević S, Kračun-Kolarević M, Toth E, Blaschke A, Derx J, Linke R, Demeter K, Savio D, Resicher G, Kir A. Joint Danube Survey 1 to 4: Concepts, Lessons Learned and Future Visions on Faecal Pollution and Antimicrobial Resistance. in Conference Book: 44th IAD conference: Tackling Present & Future Environmental Challenges of a European Riverscape; 2023 Feb 6-9; Krems, Austria. 2023;:9.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6596 .

Farnleitner, Andreas, Schachner, Iris, Jakwerth, Stefan, Kittinger, Clemens, Zarfel, Gernot, Kavka, Gerhard, Kolarević, Stoimir, Kračun-Kolarević, Margareta, Toth, Erika, Blaschke, Alfred, Derx, Julia, Linke, Rita, Demeter, Katalin, Savio, Domenico, Resicher, Georg, Kir, Alexander, "Joint Danube Survey 1 to 4: Concepts, Lessons Learned and Future Visions on Faecal Pollution and Antimicrobial Resistance" in Conference Book: 44th IAD conference: Tackling Present & Future Environmental Challenges of a European Riverscape; 2023 Feb 6-9; Krems, Austria (2023):9,
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6596 .

TY  - CONF
AU  - Koller, Michel
AU  - Dielacher, Irina
AU  - Schachner, Iris
AU  - Leopold, Melanie
AU  - Jakwerth, Sefan
AU  - Kolarević, Stoimir
AU  - Kračun-Kolarević, Margareta
AU  - Toth, Erika
AU  - Savio, Domenico
AU  - Farnleitner, Andreas
AU  - Kittinger, Clemens
AU  - Kirschner, Alexander
AU  - Zarfel, Gernot
PY  - 2023
UR  - http://radar.ibiss.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/6593
AB  - Human induced antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) are not only found in clinical surroundings: large
rivers are of great concern as regards their spreading. This ongoing study´s aim is to analyse the
major propagation pathways and sources of ARB in the Danube, and to compare the results with
data obtained in 2013. Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. isolated during the 4th Joint Danube
Survey (2019) were tested for their antibiotic susceptibility. 22.24% of 1700 E. coli were resistant and
12.35% were multiresistant. 15.23 % of 696 Klebsiella spp. were resistant and 1.15% were
multiresistant. In comparison the data of 2013 and 2019 of both Enterobacteriaceae showed that the
wild type is still predominant. There were significant increases especially to fluoroquinolones and
augmentin and a significant decrease of resistances to tetracycline. However, the data of JDS4
showed a significant difference between E. coli and Klebsiella spp. regarding wild type, resistance and
multiresistance. Additionally, data of 1155 E. coli showed no seasonal trends in Austria during an
annual sampling. The comparison of E. coli from biofilms and corresponding water samples revealed
several significant differences between the compartments. In conclusion, the preliminary data of E.
coli from biofilm samples suggest that the biofilm as a stable colonization within waters reflects
especially the long term situation. Thus, the stabilizing and destabilizing effects acting on ARG within
the biofilm need to be researched in greater detail. Significant differences between the closely
related Enterobacteriaceae species seem to point out the dilemma of E. coli as a solely model
organism for environmental long term effects. Klebsiella spp. and their associated ARGs are facing a
different selective pressure when encountering the native environmental populations. Finally, the
results of the annual sampling campaign suggest that single environmental differences have a higher
impact than seasonal events.
PB  - Austrian Committee - International Association for Danube Research
C3  - Conference Book: 44th IAD conference: Tackling Present & Future Environmental Challenges of a European Riverscape; 2023 Feb 6-9; Krems, Austria
T1  - The Danube's water and biofilms: Antimicrobial resistance in the Enterobacteriaceae populations
SP  - 24
UR  - https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6593
ER  - 

@conference{
author = "Koller, Michel and Dielacher, Irina and Schachner, Iris and Leopold, Melanie and Jakwerth, Sefan and Kolarević, Stoimir and Kračun-Kolarević, Margareta and Toth, Erika and Savio, Domenico and Farnleitner, Andreas and Kittinger, Clemens and Kirschner, Alexander and Zarfel, Gernot",
year = "2023",
abstract = "Human induced antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) are not only found in clinical surroundings: large
rivers are of great concern as regards their spreading. This ongoing study´s aim is to analyse the
major propagation pathways and sources of ARB in the Danube, and to compare the results with
data obtained in 2013. Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. isolated during the 4th Joint Danube
Survey (2019) were tested for their antibiotic susceptibility. 22.24% of 1700 E. coli were resistant and
12.35% were multiresistant. 15.23 % of 696 Klebsiella spp. were resistant and 1.15% were
multiresistant. In comparison the data of 2013 and 2019 of both Enterobacteriaceae showed that the
wild type is still predominant. There were significant increases especially to fluoroquinolones and
augmentin and a significant decrease of resistances to tetracycline. However, the data of JDS4
showed a significant difference between E. coli and Klebsiella spp. regarding wild type, resistance and
multiresistance. Additionally, data of 1155 E. coli showed no seasonal trends in Austria during an
annual sampling. The comparison of E. coli from biofilms and corresponding water samples revealed
several significant differences between the compartments. In conclusion, the preliminary data of E.
coli from biofilm samples suggest that the biofilm as a stable colonization within waters reflects
especially the long term situation. Thus, the stabilizing and destabilizing effects acting on ARG within
the biofilm need to be researched in greater detail. Significant differences between the closely
related Enterobacteriaceae species seem to point out the dilemma of E. coli as a solely model
organism for environmental long term effects. Klebsiella spp. and their associated ARGs are facing a
different selective pressure when encountering the native environmental populations. Finally, the
results of the annual sampling campaign suggest that single environmental differences have a higher
impact than seasonal events.",
publisher = "Austrian Committee - International Association for Danube Research",
journal = "Conference Book: 44th IAD conference: Tackling Present & Future Environmental Challenges of a European Riverscape; 2023 Feb 6-9; Krems, Austria",
title = "The Danube's water and biofilms: Antimicrobial resistance in the Enterobacteriaceae populations",
pages = "24",
url = "https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6593"
}

Koller, M., Dielacher, I., Schachner, I., Leopold, M., Jakwerth, S., Kolarević, S., Kračun-Kolarević, M., Toth, E., Savio, D., Farnleitner, A., Kittinger, C., Kirschner, A.,& Zarfel, G.. (2023). The Danube's water and biofilms: Antimicrobial resistance in the Enterobacteriaceae populations. in Conference Book: 44th IAD conference: Tackling Present & Future Environmental Challenges of a European Riverscape; 2023 Feb 6-9; Krems, Austria
Austrian Committee - International Association for Danube Research., 24.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6593

Koller M, Dielacher I, Schachner I, Leopold M, Jakwerth S, Kolarević S, Kračun-Kolarević M, Toth E, Savio D, Farnleitner A, Kittinger C, Kirschner A, Zarfel G. The Danube's water and biofilms: Antimicrobial resistance in the Enterobacteriaceae populations. in Conference Book: 44th IAD conference: Tackling Present & Future Environmental Challenges of a European Riverscape; 2023 Feb 6-9; Krems, Austria. 2023;:24.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6593 .

Koller, Michel, Dielacher, Irina, Schachner, Iris, Leopold, Melanie, Jakwerth, Sefan, Kolarević, Stoimir, Kračun-Kolarević, Margareta, Toth, Erika, Savio, Domenico, Farnleitner, Andreas, Kittinger, Clemens, Kirschner, Alexander, Zarfel, Gernot, "The Danube's water and biofilms: Antimicrobial resistance in the Enterobacteriaceae populations" in Conference Book: 44th IAD conference: Tackling Present & Future Environmental Challenges of a European Riverscape; 2023 Feb 6-9; Krems, Austria (2023):24,
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6593 .

TY  - CONF
AU  - Schachner-Gröhs, Iris
AU  - Kolm, Claudia
AU  - Vierheilig, Julia
AU  - Leopold, Melanie
AU  - Zarfel, Gernot
AU  - Koller, Michael
AU  - Kittinger, Clemens
AU  - Jakwerth, Stefan
AU  - Linke, Rita
AU  - Kolarević, Stoimir
AU  - Kračun-Kolarević, Margareta
AU  - Toth, Erika
AU  - Farnleitner, Andreas
AU  - Kirschner, Alexander
PY  - 2023
UR  - http://radar.ibiss.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/6590
AB  - Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents one of the top ten global public health threats according
to the WHO. The spread of resistances is no longer limited to clinical settings and the natural
environment, especially aquatic ecosystems, are also strongly involved in the global spread. Holistic
as well as quantitative studies are still scarce. We here present for the first time a large scale study
on the Danube River regarding the distribution of AMR along different faecal pollution patterns.
For this study, samples from an international sampling campaign (Joint Danube Survey 4) as well as
additional seasonal samples were screened for the occurrence and origin of faecal pollution and for
the concentrations of nine representative antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). In addition to water
samples also river biofilms were monitored to account for both, temporal and permanent river
habitats. Analyses were amended by a set of different cultivation-based and non-cultivation-based
microbiological and environmental data to explain the observed pattern in faecal pollution and ARG
concentrations.
Faecal pollution exists and varied strongly along the whole Danube river; hotspots could be identified
downstream of metropolitan areas at which also substantial concentrations of ARGs could be
detected. Quantifying concentrations of ARGs conferring resistance to different antibiotic classes
revealed strong differences between the different genes. Comparing their presence in water and
biofilm samples, allowed to assess how stably present these genes already are in the Danube River
ecosystem.
Environmental surveys are necessary to establish environmental baselines, to be able to guide future
AMR monitoring as well as to enforce useful management strategies. This integrative study therefore
provides first insights in the antimicrobial resistance situation in the most international river in the
world and second largest river in Europe
PB  - Austrian Committee - International Association for Danube Research
C3  - Conference Book: 44th IAD conference: Tackling Present & Future Environmental Challenges of a European Riverscape; 2023 Feb 6-9; Krems, Austria
T1  - Occurrence of antibiotic resistance genes along gradients of faecal pollution in water and biofilm samples from the whole Danube River
SP  - 25
UR  - https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6590
ER  - 

@conference{
author = "Schachner-Gröhs, Iris and Kolm, Claudia and Vierheilig, Julia and Leopold, Melanie and Zarfel, Gernot and Koller, Michael and Kittinger, Clemens and Jakwerth, Stefan and Linke, Rita and Kolarević, Stoimir and Kračun-Kolarević, Margareta and Toth, Erika and Farnleitner, Andreas and Kirschner, Alexander",
year = "2023",
abstract = "Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents one of the top ten global public health threats according
to the WHO. The spread of resistances is no longer limited to clinical settings and the natural
environment, especially aquatic ecosystems, are also strongly involved in the global spread. Holistic
as well as quantitative studies are still scarce. We here present for the first time a large scale study
on the Danube River regarding the distribution of AMR along different faecal pollution patterns.
For this study, samples from an international sampling campaign (Joint Danube Survey 4) as well as
additional seasonal samples were screened for the occurrence and origin of faecal pollution and for
the concentrations of nine representative antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). In addition to water
samples also river biofilms were monitored to account for both, temporal and permanent river
habitats. Analyses were amended by a set of different cultivation-based and non-cultivation-based
microbiological and environmental data to explain the observed pattern in faecal pollution and ARG
concentrations.
Faecal pollution exists and varied strongly along the whole Danube river; hotspots could be identified
downstream of metropolitan areas at which also substantial concentrations of ARGs could be
detected. Quantifying concentrations of ARGs conferring resistance to different antibiotic classes
revealed strong differences between the different genes. Comparing their presence in water and
biofilm samples, allowed to assess how stably present these genes already are in the Danube River
ecosystem.
Environmental surveys are necessary to establish environmental baselines, to be able to guide future
AMR monitoring as well as to enforce useful management strategies. This integrative study therefore
provides first insights in the antimicrobial resistance situation in the most international river in the
world and second largest river in Europe",
publisher = "Austrian Committee - International Association for Danube Research",
journal = "Conference Book: 44th IAD conference: Tackling Present & Future Environmental Challenges of a European Riverscape; 2023 Feb 6-9; Krems, Austria",
title = "Occurrence of antibiotic resistance genes along gradients of faecal pollution in water and biofilm samples from the whole Danube River",
pages = "25",
url = "https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6590"
}

Schachner-Gröhs, I., Kolm, C., Vierheilig, J., Leopold, M., Zarfel, G., Koller, M., Kittinger, C., Jakwerth, S., Linke, R., Kolarević, S., Kračun-Kolarević, M., Toth, E., Farnleitner, A.,& Kirschner, A.. (2023). Occurrence of antibiotic resistance genes along gradients of faecal pollution in water and biofilm samples from the whole Danube River. in Conference Book: 44th IAD conference: Tackling Present & Future Environmental Challenges of a European Riverscape; 2023 Feb 6-9; Krems, Austria
Austrian Committee - International Association for Danube Research., 25.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6590

Schachner-Gröhs I, Kolm C, Vierheilig J, Leopold M, Zarfel G, Koller M, Kittinger C, Jakwerth S, Linke R, Kolarević S, Kračun-Kolarević M, Toth E, Farnleitner A, Kirschner A. Occurrence of antibiotic resistance genes along gradients of faecal pollution in water and biofilm samples from the whole Danube River. in Conference Book: 44th IAD conference: Tackling Present & Future Environmental Challenges of a European Riverscape; 2023 Feb 6-9; Krems, Austria. 2023;:25.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6590 .

Schachner-Gröhs, Iris, Kolm, Claudia, Vierheilig, Julia, Leopold, Melanie, Zarfel, Gernot, Koller, Michael, Kittinger, Clemens, Jakwerth, Stefan, Linke, Rita, Kolarević, Stoimir, Kračun-Kolarević, Margareta, Toth, Erika, Farnleitner, Andreas, Kirschner, Alexander, "Occurrence of antibiotic resistance genes along gradients of faecal pollution in water and biofilm samples from the whole Danube River" in Conference Book: 44th IAD conference: Tackling Present & Future Environmental Challenges of a European Riverscape; 2023 Feb 6-9; Krems, Austria (2023):25,
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_6590 .