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  - Kirschner, Alexander K.T.
AU  - Kittinger, Clemens
AU  - Schachner, Iris
AU  - Jakwerth, Stefan
AU  - Koller, Michael
AU  - Kolarević, Stoimir
AU  - Kračun-Kolarević, Margareta
AU  - Toumi, Marwene
AU  - Farkas, Rosza
AU  - Tóth, Erika
AU  - Kandler, W
AU  - Sulyok, M
AU  - Savio, Domenico
AU  - Farnleitner, Andreas H.
AU  - Zarfel, Gernot
PY  - 2021
UR  - http://radar.ibiss.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/4731
AB  - The problem of human-induced antimicrobial resistance (acquired due to human activities) is an
emerging concern in aquatic environments. The isolation of (facultative) pathogenic organisms with
acquired antibiotic resistance, even concerning last-line antibiotics, from rivers and lakes, is well
documented throughout the world. In the last few years, there has been a rapid increase in the number
of studies addressing these topics and their possible implications for human health. However, most
studies concentrate on a relatively limited methodology, e.g. applying non-quantitative and either
cultivation-based or direct-detection based molecular biological methods. In addition, often only small
geographic areas and short periods of time are covered. This is one of the reasons why many relevant
questions concerning the occurrence and spread of antimicrobial resistance in aquatic ecosystems still
remain unanswered.
The largest European river water survey (Joint Danube Survey 4) offered a unique opportunity to study
the occurrence and spread of human-induced antimicrobial resistance along the whole Danube River.
Within the research project, isolates from samples from the entire course of the Danube and their
main tributaries, including high frequency sampling at selected locations, have been collected and
analysed. Samples from the water compartment but also from submerged biofilms have been
considered. State-of-the-art quantitative molecular biological techniques and culture-based analyses
targeting different bacterial organisms have been combined with a large set of physical, chemical and
biological parameters to obtain a robust and comprehensive picture of the occurrence and spread of
human-induced antimicrobial resistance in the Danube River.
Based on the findings of this quantitative, integrative study approach, it seems likely to significantly
improve the current understanding on the importance on the spread and stabilization of human -
induced antibiotic resistance in large rivers. The results of this study will also be useful to guide future
monitoring and management strategies.
PB  - Neuburg:  Aueninstitut Neuburg
C3  - 43rd IAD Conference: Rivers and Floodplains in the Antropocene: Upcoming Challenges in the Danube River Basin
T1  - Occurrence and spread of human- induced antimicrobial resistance in a large river water system: developing a holistic picture based on the Joint Danube Survey 4 activities
SP  - 20
UR  - https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_4731
ER  - 

@conference{
author = "Kirschner, Alexander K.T. and Kittinger, Clemens and Schachner, Iris and Jakwerth, Stefan and Koller, Michael and Kolarević, Stoimir and Kračun-Kolarević, Margareta and Toumi, Marwene and Farkas, Rosza and Tóth, Erika and Kandler, W and Sulyok, M and Savio, Domenico and Farnleitner, Andreas H. and Zarfel, Gernot",
year = "2021",
abstract = "The problem of human-induced antimicrobial resistance (acquired due to human activities) is an
emerging concern in aquatic environments. The isolation of (facultative) pathogenic organisms with
acquired antibiotic resistance, even concerning last-line antibiotics, from rivers and lakes, is well
documented throughout the world. In the last few years, there has been a rapid increase in the number
of studies addressing these topics and their possible implications for human health. However, most
studies concentrate on a relatively limited methodology, e.g. applying non-quantitative and either
cultivation-based or direct-detection based molecular biological methods. In addition, often only small
geographic areas and short periods of time are covered. This is one of the reasons why many relevant
questions concerning the occurrence and spread of antimicrobial resistance in aquatic ecosystems still
remain unanswered.
The largest European river water survey (Joint Danube Survey 4) offered a unique opportunity to study
the occurrence and spread of human-induced antimicrobial resistance along the whole Danube River.
Within the research project, isolates from samples from the entire course of the Danube and their
main tributaries, including high frequency sampling at selected locations, have been collected and
analysed. Samples from the water compartment but also from submerged biofilms have been
considered. State-of-the-art quantitative molecular biological techniques and culture-based analyses
targeting different bacterial organisms have been combined with a large set of physical, chemical and
biological parameters to obtain a robust and comprehensive picture of the occurrence and spread of
human-induced antimicrobial resistance in the Danube River.
Based on the findings of this quantitative, integrative study approach, it seems likely to significantly
improve the current understanding on the importance on the spread and stabilization of human -
induced antibiotic resistance in large rivers. The results of this study will also be useful to guide future
monitoring and management strategies.",
publisher = "Neuburg:  Aueninstitut Neuburg",
journal = "43rd IAD Conference: Rivers and Floodplains in the Antropocene: Upcoming Challenges in the Danube River Basin",
title = "Occurrence and spread of human- induced antimicrobial resistance in a large river water system: developing a holistic picture based on the Joint Danube Survey 4 activities",
pages = "20",
url = "https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_4731"
}

Kirschner, A. K.T., Kittinger, C., Schachner, I., Jakwerth, S., Koller, M., Kolarević, S., Kračun-Kolarević, M., Toumi, M., Farkas, R., Tóth, E., Kandler, W., Sulyok, M., Savio, D., Farnleitner, A. H.,& Zarfel, G.. (2021). Occurrence and spread of human- induced antimicrobial resistance in a large river water system: developing a holistic picture based on the Joint Danube Survey 4 activities. in 43rd IAD Conference: Rivers and Floodplains in the Antropocene: Upcoming Challenges in the Danube River Basin
Neuburg:  Aueninstitut Neuburg., 20.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_4731

Kirschner AK, Kittinger C, Schachner I, Jakwerth S, Koller M, Kolarević S, Kračun-Kolarević M, Toumi M, Farkas R, Tóth E, Kandler W, Sulyok M, Savio D, Farnleitner AH, Zarfel G. Occurrence and spread of human- induced antimicrobial resistance in a large river water system: developing a holistic picture based on the Joint Danube Survey 4 activities. in 43rd IAD Conference: Rivers and Floodplains in the Antropocene: Upcoming Challenges in the Danube River Basin. 2021;:20.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_4731 .

Kirschner, Alexander K.T., Kittinger, Clemens, Schachner, Iris, Jakwerth, Stefan, Koller, Michael, Kolarević, Stoimir, Kračun-Kolarević, Margareta, Toumi, Marwene, Farkas, Rosza, Tóth, Erika, Kandler, W, Sulyok, M, Savio, Domenico, Farnleitner, Andreas H., Zarfel, Gernot, "Occurrence and spread of human- induced antimicrobial resistance in a large river water system: developing a holistic picture based on the Joint Danube Survey 4 activities" in 43rd IAD Conference: Rivers and Floodplains in the Antropocene: Upcoming Challenges in the Danube River Basin (2021):20,
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_4731 .