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Updated: Jul 28, 2025

Screening Foodstuffs for Class 1 Integrons and Gene Cassettes
Published on: June 19, 2015
Sub-inhibitory gentamicin pollution induces gentamicin resistance gene integration in class 1 integrons in the
Concepcion Sanchez-Cid1, Timothy M Ghaly2, Michael R Gillings2,3
1Environmental Microbial Genomics, UMR 5005 Laboratoire Ampère, CNRS, École Centrale de Lyon, Université de Lyon, Écully, France. concepcion.sanchezcid-torres@ec-lyon.fr.
Abstract:
Antibiotics at sub-inhibitory concentrations are often found in the environment. Here they could impose selective pressure on bacteria, leading to the selection and dissemination of antibiotic resistance, despite being under the inhibitory threshold. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of sub-inhibitory concentrations of gentamicin on environmental class 1 integron cassettes in natural river microbial communities. Gentamicin at sub-inhibitory concentrations promoted the integration and selection of gentamicin resistance genes (GmRG) in class 1 integrons after only a one-day exposure. Therefore, sub-inhibitory concentrations of gentamicin induced integron rearrangements, increasing the mobilization potential of gentamicin resistance genes and potentially increasing their dissemination in the environment. This study demonstrates the effects of antibiotics at sub-inhibitory concentrations in the environment and supports concerns about antibiotics as emerging pollutants.
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