Green tides, particularly those induced by Enteromorpha, pose significant environmental challenges, exacerbated by climate change, coastal eutrophication, and other anthropogenic impacts. More concerningly, these blooms may influence the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) within ecosystems. However, the manner in which Enteromorpha blooms affect the distribution and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remains uncertain. This study investigated ARG profiles, dynamic composition, and associated health risks within the Enteromorpha phycosphere and surrounding seawater in typical bays (Jiaozhou, Aoshan, and Lingshan) in the South Yellow Sea. The Enteromorpha phycosphere exhibited significantly higher ARG abundance (p < 0.05) but lower diversity compared to the surrounding seawater. Source-tracking and metagenomic analyses revealed that the phycosphere was the main contributor to the resistome of surrounding seawater. Moreover, resistant pathogens, especially ESKAPE pathogens, with horizontal gene transfer (HGT) potential, were more abundant in the phycosphere than in the surrounding seawater. The phycosphere released high-risk ARGs to the surrounding seawater during Enteromorpha blooms, posing serious health and ecological AMR risks in marine environments. This study highlights the significant role of Enteromorpha blooms in ARG spread and associated risks, urging a reassessment of AMR burden from a public health perspective.

中文翻译：

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被忽视的抗微生物药物耐药性通过绿潮扩散的传播风险


绿潮，尤其是由 Enteromorpha 引起的绿潮，构成了重大的环境挑战，气候变化、沿海富营养化和其他人为影响加剧了这一挑战。更令人担忧的是，这些水华可能会影响抗生素耐药细菌 （ARB） 和抗生素耐药基因 （ARG） 在生态系统内的传播。然而，Enteromorpha 水华影响抗菌素耐药性 （AMR） 分布和传播的方式仍不确定。本研究调查了南黄海典型海湾（胶州、鳌山和灵山）肠形藻圈和周围海水内的 ARG 剖面、动态组成和相关健康风险。肠形藻藻圈表现出显著较高的 ARG 丰度 （p < 0.05），但与周围海水相比，多样性较低。源追踪和宏基因组分析表明，藻圈是周围海水阻力组的主要贡献者。此外，具有水平基因转移 （HGT） 潜力的耐药病原体，尤其是 ESKAPE 病原体，在藻圈中比在周围海水中更丰富。在肠形藻大量繁殖期间，藻圈向周围海水释放高风险的耐药基因，对海洋环境构成严重的健康和生态抗微生物药物耐药性风险。本研究强调了 Enteromorpha 水华在 ARG 传播和相关风险中的重要作用，敦促从公共卫生角度重新评估 AMR 负担。