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Updated: Jun 11, 2025
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Testing the Role of Multicopy Plasmids in the Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance
Published on: May 2, 2018
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Prophage-encoded antibiotic resistance genes are enriched in human-impacted environments
Hanpeng Liao1, Chen Liu1, Shungui Zhou2
1Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.
Nature Communications
|September 27, 2024
Summary
Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) spread via phages globally. Human activities increase ARG-carrying phages in impacted environments, enhancing resistance gene mobility and posing a health threat.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genomics
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are a global health concern.
- Bacteriophages (phages) can transfer ARGs between bacteria via transduction.
- The global scale and human impact on phage-mediated ARG mobilization remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the global distribution and mobilization of ARGs encoded by phages.
- To assess the role of human activities and habitats in shaping phage-ARG interactions.
- To determine the mobility and potential impact of phage-encoded ARGs.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 38,605 bacterial genomes, 1432 metagenomes, and 1186 metatranscriptomes.
- Exploration across 12 contrasting natural and human-impacted habitats.
- Investigation of prophage distribution and their associated ARGs.
Main Results:
- Significant increase in abundance, diversity, and activity of phage-encoded ARGs in human-impacted habitats.
- Correlation between increased phage-ARGs and higher risk of past antibiotic exposure.
- Demonstration of ARG mobilization by phages, conferring resistance in new bacterial hosts.
Conclusions:
- Human activities significantly alter bacteria-phage interactions, enriching ARGs within prophages.
- Phage-mediated ARG mobilization is enhanced in human-impacted environments globally.
- This process increases the mobility and spread of antibiotic resistance, posing a substantial threat to human health.
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