Antibiotic Resistance Genes Identified in Water Sources of Hot Springs

Overview

Hot Springs, Arkansas is a tourist town known for its geothermal hot springs, which contain microbial thermophiles that thrive at high temperatures. These springs have several sources of water used by the public for drinking and bathing. This project tested for the presence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in these sources. If present, these ARGs could transfer to a pathogenic bacterium and cause an infection on some who consumed the spring water. Antibiotics are helpful in fighting infections; however, rapidly mutating microbes can become antibiotic resistant causing untreatable infections. The transfer of ARGs to public drinking water poses a possible threat to human health. In this project, water and algae were collected from nine sources in Hot Springs, including spring and fountain sources. Most samples were also filtered to concentrate DNA isolated from water and algae. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted on the water and isolated DNA, which required optimization of temperature and concentrations of DNA and buffers. Gel electrophoresis was used to visualize the amplified DNA. Though the spring sources had more ARGs than the fountain sources (p=0.008), two of the four fountains still had ARGs. It is troubling that ARGs are in drinking water sources. Though most DNA will be digested in the gastrointestinal tract, the spread of ARGs in our environment contributes to multi-drug resistant infections that may not be able to be treated. Antibiotic resistance in drinking water deserves more attention. Future studies should determine the prevalence, types, and severity of antibiotic resistance in these and other drinking water sources.

Competition history

• AJAS 2024 Category not listed

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