Chlorine disinfection facilitates natural transformation through ROS-mediated oxidative stress.

ABSTRACT: The bacterial infection that involves antimicrobial resistance is a rising global threat to public health. Chlorine-based water disinfection processes can inactivate antibiotic resistant bacteria. However, at the same time, these processes may cause the release of antibiotic resistance genes into the water as free DNA, and consequently increase the risk to disseminate antibiotic resistance via natural transformation. Presently, little is known about the contribution of residual chlorine affecting the transformation of extracellular antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). This study investigates whether chloramine and free chlorine promote the transformation of ARGs and how this may occur. We reveal that both chloramine and free chlorine, at practically relevant concentrations, significantly st

SUBMITTER: Zhang S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8091644 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature