Animal Microbiome (Nov 2023)

Longitudinal metagenomic study reveals the dynamics of fecal antibiotic resistome in pigs throughout the lifetime

  • Lingyan Ma,
  • Yuanyuan Song,
  • Wentao Lyu,
  • Qu Chen,
  • Xingning Xiao,
  • Yuanxiang Jin,
  • Hua Yang,
  • Wen Wang,
  • Yingping Xiao

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s42523-023-00279-z
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 5, no. 1
pp. 1 – 13

Abstract

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Abstract Background The dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) poses a substantial threat to environmental safety and human health. Herein, we present a longitudinal paired study across the swine lifetime from birth to market, coupled with metagenomic sequencing to explore the dynamics of ARGs and their health risk in the swine fecal microbiome. Results We systematically characterized the composition and distribution of ARGs among the different growth stages. In total, 829 ARG subtypes belonging to 21 different ARG types were detected, in which tetracycline, aminoglycoside, and MLS were the most abundant types. Indeed, 134 core ARG subtypes were shared in all stages and displayed a growth stage-associated pattern. Furthermore, the correlation between ARGs, gut microbiota and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) revealed Escherichia coli represented the main carrier of ARGs. We also found that in most cases, the dominant ARGs could be transmitted to progeny piglets, suggesting the potential ARGs generation transmission. Finally, the evaluation of the antibiotic resistance threats provides us some early warning of those high health risk ARGs. Conclusions Collectively, this relatively more comprehensive study provides a primary overview of ARG profile in swine microbiome across the lifetime and highlights the health risk and the intergenerational spread of ARGs in pig farm. Graphical Abstract

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