Abstract:
Bacterial antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) greatly threaten the public health in the 21st century. Drinking water safety is directly related to human health. The stability and persistence of antibiotic resistance in drinking water exist, even without the selective pressure of antibiotics. This article explores the potential risks of persistence of bacterial antibiotic resistance in drinking water from the following aspects: the induction of ARGs by mutagenic disinfection by-products, the weakening of the fitness costs of ARGs under nutrient-poor conditions, the protection of ARGs by cellular structures, and the contribution of the viable but non-culturable state and biofilm to antibiotic resistance/tolerance. It promises to provide reference for further understanding the mechanism behind the persistence of bacterial antibiotic resistance in drinking water and how to effectively control and reduce its risk to human health.