Culture-Based Enrichment and Sequencing from a river confluence to identify viable antibiotic-resistant bacteria

This study aimed to characterize viable antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and pathogenic ARB (ARBPs) in sediments of the Fenhe River-Yellow River confluence, where their diversity and mobility remain unclear. Using culture-based enrichment, 16S rRNA sequencing, and whole-genome analysis, we identified clinical ARGs on mobile elements, highlighting confluences as biogeographic choke points driving AMR cross-species dissemination and supporting environmental AMR surveillance.