ABUNDANCE OF BACTERIAL ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE GENES IN SWINE DURING THE FATTENING PERIOD (SUS SCROFA DOMESTICUS)

Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyze the gut microbiome of swine during the fattening period, aimed at identify-ing antibiotic resistance genes. High-throughput sequencing allowed a total of 119 636 readings, bioinformatic re-search of which revealed 17 antibiotic resistance genes belonging to 4 classes of antibiotics: tetracyclines (81%), beta-lactam antibiotics (11%), erythromycins (7%) and aminoglycosides (1%). Among the 5 detected tetracycline resistance genes, the gene Tet(W) dominated, the percentage of which was 73% of the number of all tetracycline antibiotic resistance genes. Erythromycin resistance genes included ermB, ErmG and ErmF with the overwhelming majority of the latter (88%). Among the beta-lactam antibiotic resistance genes, cfxA4 (18%), cfxA5 (10%), cfxA6 (42%) and ACI1 (30%) were identified. The presence of resistance genes to aminoglycosides (Aph3-III, Ant6-Ia, Ant6-Ib, Sat4A and aadA1-pm) was found. The most common genes were Aph3-III (58%), and the least – aadA1-pm (3%). The results of the study indicate the wide presence of antibiotic resistance genes in the gut microbiome of swine. The spread of these genes may pose a threat in the future not only for agriculture, but also for the public healthcare.