Role of bacteriophages in spread of antibiotic resistance genes in wastewater treatment systems： a review

LIN Yanhan; BAO Ruiqi; FU Jingyi; CHEN Leyi; CHEN Hong

doi:10.13205/j.hjgc.202509012

Volume 43 Issue 9

Sep. 2025

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LIN Yanhan, BAO Ruiqi, FU Jingyi, CHEN Leyi, CHEN Hong. Role of bacteriophages in spread of antibiotic resistance genes in wastewater treatment systems： a review[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2025, 43(9): 107-118. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202509012

Citation:

LIN Yanhan, BAO Ruiqi, FU Jingyi, CHEN Leyi, CHEN Hong. Role of bacteriophages in spread of antibiotic resistance genes in wastewater treatment systems： a review[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2025, 43(9): 107-118. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202509012

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Role of bacteriophages in spread of antibiotic resistance genes in wastewater treatment systems： a review

doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202509012

1. College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China

Received Date: 2025-05-15
Available Online: 2025-11-05
Publish Date: 2025-09-01

Abstract

Abstract

The global spread of antibiotic resistance has emerged as a major public health concern. Wastewater treatment systems are regarded as key reservoirs and dissemination routes for antibiotic resistance genes （ARGs）， and increasing attention has been directed toward the microbial ecological processes within these systems. Bacteriophages， as bacterial viruses and potential mediators of gene transfer， play a dual role in this process. They can eliminate resistant bacteria through lysis while also facilitating the horizontal transfer of ARGs through transduction. This dual functionality presents both opportunities and challenges in the regulation of gene dissemination. In this study， bibliometric analysis was used to systematically examine global research literature from 1980 to 2024， with a focus on the mechanisms by which bacteriophages influence the spread of ARGs in wastewater treatment systems. The findings provide a theoretical foundation for the development of targeted strategies to control the spread of antibiotic resistance.
- bacteriophage,
- antibiotic resistance gene,
- wastewater treatment system,
- horizontal gene transfer,
- transduction

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References(78)

References

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