Concentration and reduction efficiency of vancomycin-resistant heterotrophic bacteria and vanA and vanB genes in wastewater treatment unit processes.

OBJECTIVES: This study elucidated the distribution and fate of vancomycin (VCM)-resistant heterotrophic bacteria (HTB) and resistance genes, vanA and vanB, during each treatment unit process of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). METHODS: Several bacterial counts as well as copy numbers of vanA and vanB genes were determined in each wastewater and sludge sample. In addition, HTB strains isolated from wastewater and sludge were analyzed for VCM susceptibility. Then, the fate and reduction ratios of each bacterial count, copy number of vanA and vanB genes, and the existence ratio of VCM-resistant HTB strains in the wastewater treatment unit process were evaluated. RESULTS: VCM-resistant HTB were detected in all wastewater and sludge samples, and their existence ratio decreased along the treatment process (92.9% in influent wastewater to 39.4% in chlorinated water). Notably, most of the HTB isolated from the influent wastewater were resistant to 8.0 µg/mL of VCM, strongly suggesting that a significant number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria are flowing into the WWTP from urban areas through the sewage system. The vanA and vanB genes were also detected in all wastewater and sludge, with high copy numbers (102-104 copies/mL) even in chlorinated water samples. CONCLUSIONS: Results revealed that residual VCM-resistant HTB, and resistance genes, which could not be completely removed, were ubiquitously released into the aquatic environment. Furthermore, a high existence ratio of VCM-resistant HTB and high copy numbers of resistance genes were also detected in the sludge, indicating that they are constantly circulating in the WWTP via the returned sludge.