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Isolation and Analysis of Microbial Communities in Soil, Rhizosphere, and Roots in Perennial Grass Experiments
Published on: July 24, 2018
Integron prevalence and diversity in manured soil.
K G Byrne-Bailey1, W H Gaze, L Zhang
1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill, Coventry, West Midlands CV4 7AL, United Kingdom.
Applied and Environmental Microbiology
|November 25, 2010
Summary
Pig slurry application significantly increased integron prevalence in soil, with effects lasting up to 10 months. Some bacteria carrying these genetic elements may pose risks to human health.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Soil science
- Genetics
Background:
- Integrons are mobile genetic elements that confer antibiotic resistance.
- Soil microbial communities are crucial for ecosystem health.
- Agricultural practices, such as the application of animal manure, can influence microbial populations and gene dynamics in soil.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of pig slurry amendment on the abundance and diversity of integrons in soil.
- To determine the persistence of integron-carrying bacteria in soil ecosystems.
Main Methods:
- Real-time PCR was used to quantify class 1 integron prevalence.
- Culture-dependent methods were employed to identify bacterial genera harboring class 1 and 2 integrons.
Main Results:
- A significant increase in class 1 integron prevalence was observed immediately following pig slurry application.
- Elevated class 1 integron prevalence persisted for at least 10 months post-application.
- Ten bacterial genera, including potential human pathogens, were identified as carriers of class 1 and 2 integrons.
Conclusions:
- Pig slurry amendment leads to a substantial and prolonged increase in soil integron prevalence.
- The presence of integrons, particularly in potential human pathogens, raises concerns about the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance genes through agricultural soils.
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