Abstract
It is becoming increasingly recognized that particulate matter in the atmosphere is a significant global health threat and environmental concern. Byproducts from burning of biomass or fossil fuels, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), comprise a substantial fraction of particulate matter in many areas. Previous studies have indicated that many PAHs are carcinogenic in mammalian cells and have mutagenic potential in microorganisms such as bacteria. However, the consequences of such mutations in bacteria remain relatively unexplored. In this study, we examine the ability of selected compounds commonly found in particulate matter to generate antibiotic resistant bacteria. We observed that separate treatment with an individual PAH - 1-nitropyrene, benzo(a)pyrene, pyrene and 2-nitrofluorene - can significantly increase the occurrence of Escherichia coli that are resistant to rifampicin and kanamycin. Furthermore, we observed that treatment with two of these compounds together increases the frequency of rifampicin resistant bacteria in an additive fashion. Finally we found that rifampicin resistant bacteria obtained after treatment with 1-nitropyrene or 2-nitrofluorene can resist rifampicin up to the solubility level of rifampicin in growth medium, suggesting mutants derived under these conditions may be highly resistant to antibiotics. Preliminary results from the treatment of E. coli with ambient aerosol samples will also be discussed. Overall, our study presents evidence that ubiquitous compounds in particulate matter may serve to increase the rate at which antibiotic resistance evolves in the environment.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. Song Gao, Dr. Robert P. Smith
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-4-2014 1:00 PM
End Date
4-4-2014 5:30 PM
Particulate Matter Induces Opportunistic Emergence of Antibiotic Resistance
Alvin Sherman Library
It is becoming increasingly recognized that particulate matter in the atmosphere is a significant global health threat and environmental concern. Byproducts from burning of biomass or fossil fuels, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), comprise a substantial fraction of particulate matter in many areas. Previous studies have indicated that many PAHs are carcinogenic in mammalian cells and have mutagenic potential in microorganisms such as bacteria. However, the consequences of such mutations in bacteria remain relatively unexplored. In this study, we examine the ability of selected compounds commonly found in particulate matter to generate antibiotic resistant bacteria. We observed that separate treatment with an individual PAH - 1-nitropyrene, benzo(a)pyrene, pyrene and 2-nitrofluorene - can significantly increase the occurrence of Escherichia coli that are resistant to rifampicin and kanamycin. Furthermore, we observed that treatment with two of these compounds together increases the frequency of rifampicin resistant bacteria in an additive fashion. Finally we found that rifampicin resistant bacteria obtained after treatment with 1-nitropyrene or 2-nitrofluorene can resist rifampicin up to the solubility level of rifampicin in growth medium, suggesting mutants derived under these conditions may be highly resistant to antibiotics. Preliminary results from the treatment of E. coli with ambient aerosol samples will also be discussed. Overall, our study presents evidence that ubiquitous compounds in particulate matter may serve to increase the rate at which antibiotic resistance evolves in the environment.
