The unknown acute toxicity of the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole

Authors

  • B. S. Diogo ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas de Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal; CIIMAR - Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; FCUP - Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre S/N, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
  • S. Rodrigues CIIMAR - Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; FCUP - Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre S/N, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
  • S. C. Antunes CIIMAR - Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; FCUP - Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre S/N, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48797/sl.2023.52

Keywords:

Selected Oral Communication

Abstract

Background: Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) is one of the most used antibiotics in the last 50 years, applied to humans, veterinary medicines, and aquaculture purposes ​[1]​. Detected in different environmental matrices this antibiotic can pose a risk to aquatic ecosystems and contribute to the spread of antimicrobial resistance ​[2,3]​. In addition, SMX has already been included in the 3rd Priority Substances Watch List to be monitored in inland surface waters throughout the European Union under the Water Framework Directive ​[2]​. Regarding the available literature, different studies report the toxicity of SMX to several aquatic organisms, however, these data are quite discrepant and incomplete. Objective: Evaluate the acute toxicity effects of SMX in aquatic model organisms from different trophic levels. Methods: Standard acute ecotoxicological assays were performed ​[4–7]​, evaluating the inhibition of the bioluminescence of the bacterium Aliivibrio fischeri, growth inhibition of microalgae Raphidocelis subcapitata and macrophyte Lemna minor, and immobilization and reproductive effects in the microcrustacean Daphnia magna. Additionally, sub-individual parameters were also evaluated in L. minorand D. magna. Results: Overall, the different species showed different sensitivities to SMX, where preliminary results revealed that R. subcapitata was the most sensitive organism. SMX was harmful to A. fischeri [EC50 (30 min) = 79.67 mg/L], and toxic to L. minor [EC50 (7d) = 2.11 mg/L; causing also lipid peroxidation]. In addition, was harmful to D. magna [EC50 (48h) = 68.75 mg/L], causing significant alterations in sub-individual parameters (e.g., neurotoxicity), and reproductive endpoints, namely a decrease in the rate of population increase at 45 mg/L of SMX. Conclusions: These results highlight the effects that SMX can cause in non-target organisms. Considering that the detection of SMX is increasing considerably in various environmental matrices, it is essential to continue monitoring the behavior of this antibiotic in the environment and its long-term effects on ecosystems. 

References

1. Ho, J.M.W.; Juurlink, D.N. Considerations When Prescribing Trimethoprim–Sulfamethoxazole. Canadian Medical Association Journal 2011, 183, 1851.

2. Cortes, L.; Marinov, D.,; Sanseverino, I.,; Cuenca, A.,; Niegowska, M.,; Rodriguez, E.; Lettieri, T., Selection of Substances for the 3rd Watch List under the Water Framework Directive; Luxembourg, 2020.

3. Kovalakova, P.; Cizmas, L.; McDonald, T.; Marsalek, B. Occurrence and Toxicity of Antibiotics in the Aquatic Environment: A Review. Chemosphere 2020, 251.

4. OECD Test No. 201: Freshwater Alga and Cyanobacteria, Growth Inhibition Test; 2011.

5. OECD Test No. 221: Lemna Sp. Growth Inhibition Test; 2006.

6. OECD Test No. 202: Daphnia Sp. Acute Immobilisation Test; 2004.

7. Microbics, M. Microtox Manual - a Toxicity Handbook; Microbics Corporation, 1992; Vol. I–VI.

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Published

2023-04-21

How to Cite

Diogo, B. S., Rodrigues, S., & Antunes, S. C. (2023). The unknown acute toxicity of the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole. Scientific Letters, 1(Sup 1). https://doi.org/10.48797/sl.2023.52

Issue

Vol. 1 No. Sup 1 (2023)

Section

Oral Communications

License

Copyright (c) 2023 B. S. Diogo, S. Rodrigues, S. C. Antunes

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