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Horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes in the human gut microbiome

Ross S McInnes1, Gregory E McCallum1, Lisa E Lamberte1

  • 1Institute of Microbiology and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom.

Current Opinion in Microbiology
|March 7, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Antibiotic resistance is a major public health threat. Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in the gut microbiome spreads these resistance genes, but new tools help track and potentially limit this spread.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genetics
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections pose a significant global health risk.
  • Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) facilitates the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) among bacteria.
  • The human gut microbiome is a key environment for HGT events.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanisms and extent of HGT in the human gut microbiome.
  • To understand how ARGs are associated with microbial hosts within the gut ecosystem.
  • To identify potential strategies for controlling the dissemination of antibiotic resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized novel bioinformatic tools to analyze ARG-host associations.
  • Employed experimental approaches to quantify HGT in the gut microbiome.
  • Focused on well-characterized HGT mechanisms like transduction and conjugation.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated that HGT is a common process in the gut microbiome.
  • Established methods for associating specific ARGs with their bacterial hosts.
  • Quantified the extent of HGT, providing insights into ARG dynamics.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding HGT in the gut microbiome is crucial for combating antibiotic resistance.
  • Developed and applied advanced tools to study ARG dissemination.
  • Findings may inform the development of interventions to reduce the spread of antibiotic resistance.

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