Soil phage and their mediation on the horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes: A review

Abstract

The spread of antibiotic resistance in soil is a global threat to public health and food safety, challenging the prevention and treatment of human infectious disease. The horizontal transfer of ARGs mediated by bacteriophages (phages) is an important pathway for the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). However, the knowledge on the contribution of phages to ARGs transmission in soil is elusive. Here, we reviewed the distribution characteristics of phages in soil and its driving factors. We summarized the main methods for purification and enrichment of soil phage, reviewed recent achievements in the mechanism of phage-mediated horizontal transfer of ARGs in soil and proposed some outstanding questions. This review would contribute to understanding the important ecological role of phages in driving the horizontal transfer of ARGs, and provide a basis for developing management strategies to mitigate ARGs pollution.