Discovery of sulfonamide resistance genes in deep groundwater below Patna, India

The global use of pharmaceuticals has led to the rise of bacteria resistant to antimicrobial treatments, posing a public health challenge. A study in Patna, India, found the first quantification of three sulfonamide resistance genes in groundwater and surface water. The mean relative abundance of gene copies was found to be sul I > sul II > sul III. The study suggests that wastewater is associated with AMR gene prevalence, and urban drainage channels containing hospital and domestic wastes are likely a significant source of AMR in groundwater and surface water.