Temporal Dynamics of Microbial Community Composition and Antimicrobial Resistance in a Mass Gathering Setting Using Culturomics and Metagenomic Approaches

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant global concern, with mass-gathering events in densely populated areas contributing to this issue. This study compared bacterial diversity, AMR profile, and resistance mechanisms in water samples from a mass gathering event in Uttar Pradesh, India, with control samples. Results showed significant variations in bacterial diversity and MDR profiles, with Pseudomonas spp. being the most abundant MDR strain. The test sample showed an increased resistome for beta-lactams, while the control sample had reduced bacterial species, ARGs, and MDR strains linked to human microflora. This shift could be due to the re-establishment of native bacterial communities in the Ganges River, which may be attributed to its bacteriophage activity, biomolecules, and inherent antimicrobial properties. The study emphasizes the need for surveillance and monitoring AMR emergence to develop new strategies to combat it.