Abstract

QUILLAGUAMAN, Jorge; CARRASCO, Cristhian  and  DAGA-QUISBERT, Jeanett. Assessing the microbial contamination and antibiotic resistance genes of two Amazon Bolivian watercourses. Ecología en Bolivia [online]. 2024, vol.59, n.2, pp.71-84.  Epub Sep 31, 2024. ISSN 1605-2528.

Arroyo Maige and the Beni River are subjected to different types of contamination. This study aimed to evaluate microbial pollution using metagenomic analysis and the physicochemical properties of the rivers. The high conductivity of Arroyo Maige, the identification of heterotrophic microorganisms, and the likely anaerobic conditions favored the presence of prokaryotes that thrive in such an environment. Some bacterial species previously obtained from wastewater, sewer pipes, human feces, and intestinal tracts were identified in the metagenomes of the Bolivian rivers. Additionally, the disease symptoms experienced by locals who consumed water from Arroyo Maige were similar to those caused by Arcobacter butzleri, which was identified in our study; however, a clinical evaluation is required. Multidrug antibiotic resistance genes in efflux pumps, currently considered high-risk for global health, were also found in the metagenomes. The expression of these genes in pathogens and the occurrence of integrons, known to mobilize such genes among bacteria, are potential threats to the population living near the rivers. Overall, our work showed that the non-existent sanitation treatment of wastewater in the Bolivian Amazon adds to the detrimental environmental conditions in the zone.

Keywords : Beni River; Arroyo Maige; Metagenomic analysis; Bacterial pollution.

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