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#           Simultaneous stream assessment of antibiotics, bacteria, antibiotic resistant bacteria, and antibiotic resistant genes in an agricultural region of the United States      

      September 4, 2023    

Antimicrobial resistance is now recognized as a leading global threat to human health. Nevertheless, there currently is a limited understanding of the environment's role in the spread of AMR and antibiotic resistant genes (ARG). In 2019, the U.S. Geological Survey conducted the first statewide assessment of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and ARGs in surface water and bed sediment collected from 34 stream locations across Iowa. Environmental samples were analyzed for a suite of 29 antibiotics and plated on selective media for 15 types of bacteria growth; DNA was extracted from culture growth and used in downstream polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for the detection of 24 ARGs. ARGs encoding resistance to antibiotics of clinical importance to human health and disease prevention were prioritized as their presence in stream systems has the potential for environmental significance. Total coliforms, Escherichia coli (E. coli), and staphylococci were nearly ubiquitous in both stream water and stream bed sediment samples, with enterococci present in 97 % of water samples, and Salmonella spp. growth present in 94 % and 67 % of water and bed sediment samples. Bacteria enumerations indicate that high bacteria loads are common in Iowa's streams, with 23 (68 %) streams exceeding state guidelines for primary contact for E. coli in recreational waters and 6 (18 %) streams exceeding the secondary contact advisory level. Although antibiotic-resistant E. coli growth was detected from 40 % of water samples, vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and penicillinase-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colony growth was detected from nearly all water samples. A total of 14 different ARGs were detected from viable bacteria cells from 30 Iowa streams (88 %, n = 34). Study results provide the first baseline understanding of the prevalence of ARB and ARGs throughout Iowa's waterways and health risk potential for humans, wildlife, and livestock using these waterways for drinking, irrigating, or recreating.

## Citation Information

## Related Content

                  -              Data           
                  -              Connect           

September 6, 2023

####                 Antibiotic and Antibiotic Resistance Signatures in Iowa Streams, 2019              

Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

#### Carrie E Givens, PhD

##### Supervisory Hydrologist

Upper Midwest Water Science Center

cgivens@usgs.gov

517-887-8933

#### Dana W Kolpin

##### Research Hydrologist

Central Midwest Water Science Center

dwkolpin@usgs.gov

319-358-3614

#### Laura E Hubbard

##### Research Hydrologist

Upper Midwest Water Science Center

lhubbard@usgs.gov

608-821-3871

#### Shannon M Meppelink

##### Physical Scientist

Central Midwest Water Science Center

smeppelink@usgs.gov

319-358-3659

#### Rachael F Lane, Ph.D.

##### Chemist

Kansas Water Science Center

rflane@usgs.gov

785-832-3513

#### Michaelah C Wilson

##### Environmental Chemist

Kansas Water Science Center

##### Environmental Chemist

Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory (OGRL)

mcwilson@usgs.gov

785-832-3534

## Related Content

September 6, 2023

####                 Antibiotic and Antibiotic Resistance Signatures in Iowa Streams, 2019              

Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

#### Carrie E Givens, PhD

##### Supervisory Hydrologist

Upper Midwest Water Science Center

cgivens@usgs.gov

517-887-8933

#### Dana W Kolpin

##### Research Hydrologist

Central Midwest Water Science Center

dwkolpin@usgs.gov

319-358-3614

#### Laura E Hubbard

##### Research Hydrologist

Upper Midwest Water Science Center

lhubbard@usgs.gov

608-821-3871

#### Shannon M Meppelink

##### Physical Scientist

Central Midwest Water Science Center

smeppelink@usgs.gov

319-358-3659

#### Rachael F Lane, Ph.D.

##### Chemist

Kansas Water Science Center

rflane@usgs.gov

785-832-3513

#### Michaelah C Wilson

##### Environmental Chemist

Kansas Water Science Center

##### Environmental Chemist

Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory (OGRL)

mcwilson@usgs.gov

785-832-3534

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####               Upper Midwest Water Science Center - Madison, WI, Office          

1 Gifford Pinchot DriveMadison, WI53726United States

608-828-9901

608-821-3817

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