Metagenomic Analysis of Surface Waters and Wastewater in the Colombian Andean Highlands: Implications for Health and Disease

Galeano, Luis-Alejandro Y Urrea, Vanessa Y Páez Triana, Luisa Y Velásquez Ortiz, Natalia Y Camargo, Milena Y Patiño, Luz H Y Vega, Laura Y Ballesteros, Nathalia Y Hidalgo-Troya, Arsenio Y Ramírez, Juan David Y Muñoz, Marina (2025) Metagenomic Analysis of Surface Waters and Wastewater in the Colombian Andean Highlands: Implications for Health and Disease. Current Microbiology, 82 (162).

Text Galeano et al. 2025-2.pdf Download (4MB)

Resumen

Urban water bodies serve as critical reservoirs of microbial diversity, with major implications for public health and environmental quality. This study aimed to characterize the microbial diversity of surface waters and wastewater from the Pasto River in the Colombian Andean Highlands, ofering insights that may support water quality monitoring eforts. Sampling was conducted at three river sites and one wastewater location. Standard physicochemical and microbiological analyses were performed, including real-time PCR to detect protozoan pathogens Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. Metagenomic sequencing provided an in-depth taxonomic and functional profle of microbial communities through two complementary approaches: (i) read-based analysis to identify abundant families and species, both pathogenic and benefcial, and (ii) detection of health-related molecular markers, including antimicrobial resistance markers and virulence factors. Physicochemical analyses showed distinct profles between wastewater and surface water, with wastewater exhibiting elevated levels of suspended solids (113.6 mg/L), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD, 311.2 mg/L), and chemical oxygen demand (COD, 426.7 mg/L). Real-time PCR detected Giardia spp. DNA in 75% (76/102) of the samples and Cryptosporidium spp. DNA in 94% (96/102) of samples. The metagenomic read-based profling identifed Aeromonas media as a prevalent pathogen and Polaromonas naphthalenivorans as a potential biodegradative agent. The metagenomic assembly produced 270 high-quality genomes, revealing 16 bacterial species (e. g., Acinetobacter johnsonii and Megamonas funiformis) that provided insights into fecal contaminants and native aquatic microbes. Functional profling further revealed a high prevalence of antimicrobial resistance markers, particularly for tetracyclines, aminoglycosides, and macrolides, with the highest abundance found in wastewater samples. Additionally, virulence factors were notably present in Zoogloea ramigera. The fndings underscore the value of metagenomic profling as a comprehensive tool for water quality monitoring, facilitating the detection of pathogens, benefcial species, and molecular markers indicative of potential health risks. This approach supports continuous monitoring eforts, ofering actionable data for water management strategies to safeguard public health and maintain ecological integrity.

Tipo de Elemento:	Artículo
Palabras Clave:	Metagenomics Antimicrobial Resistance Water Quality and Public Health
Asunto:	Q Ciencias > QD Chemistry
Division:	Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales > Programa de Química > Recursos digitales
Depósito de Usuario:	PhD Luis Alejandro Galeano
Fecha Deposito:	04 Jul 2025 22:26
Ultima Modificación:	04 Jul 2025 22:26
URI:	http://sired.udenar.edu.co/id/eprint/15817

Ver Elemento