[Distribution Characteristics of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Sika Deer Farm]

Sika deer breeding is rapidly developing in South China during the recent years; however, the impact of sika deer breeding on the abundance and diversity of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in sika deer farm remains elusive. In this study, profiles of ARGs were investigated using high-throughput qPCR technique. The results showed that the abundance of ARGs varied among different samples in the following order, deer manure composting > deer manure > vegetable soil > pristine soil, and the profiles of ARGs in these samples were significantly different (P<0.05). The abundance of ARGs was significantly correlated to that of mobile genetic elements (MGEs), implicating the potential of horizontal transfer of ARGs, which might accelerate the dissemination and enrichment of ARGs in the environment of sika deer farm.