Antibiotic-resistant bacteria in tropical freshwater ecosystems: A review of occurrence, distribution and environmental implications

Abstract

The global rise of antibiotic resistance is increasingly recognized as an environmental as well as a clinical crisis, with tropical freshwater ecosystems emerging as reservoirs of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) due to contamination from sources like untreated municipal sewage, agricultural runoff, hospital effluents, natural reservoirs and wild fauna. The overuse of antibiotics has also contributed to the emergence of multidrug resistance in many species, presenting a global health concern. The prevalence of high levels of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (mostly ESKAPE pathogens) in tropical water bodies is a cause of concern. Traditional water treatment methods like chlorination and filtration are ineffective in removing ARB or Antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs) thereby allowing resistant bacteria to survive in drinking water reservoirs. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the occurrence, distribution, and sources of ARB and ARGs in tropical freshwater environments. The review also discusses factors contributing to ARB in tropical freshwater ecosystems. Elevated temperatures, as seen in tropical regions, can facilitate the metabolic processes of bacteria towards speeding up the dissemination of resistance genes and gradients in water flow whereby contaminants end up being concentrated within particular points thereby establishing hotspots for resistance development. Special attention is given to the methods of studying ARB as well as the ecological and public health implications of ARB in this region, justifying an immediate danger to both health and biodiversity with far-reaching ecological and public health implications. Therefore the consequences of ARB contamination include heightened risks of waterborne diseases, increased hazards in recreational waters, and the widespread dissemination of resistance genes, alongside profound effects on water treatment and management. Addressing this issue necessitates a global effort to safeguard both ecosystems and public health. One health approach framework policy and research translation can potentially facilitate multidisciplinary working and solutions integration, most notably in the tropics. • Most studies generally have a focus on freshwater aquatic ecosystems, not on aquatic ecosystems in the tropical zones. • Tropical freshwater ecosystems pose a severe global risk to both biodiversity and human health with serious ecological and public health implications. • Comprehensive report on the implications of the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in tropical freshwater aquatic ecosystems. • The genera of multidrug-resistant bacteria found in tropical freshwater habitats are ESKAPE group of pathogens, and these are serious indicators published by WHO. • The study of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in tropical freshwater ecosystems requires a multi-faceted approach to mitigate the otherwise global adverse effects these bacteria could cause.