The commensal infant gut meta-mobilome as a potential reservoir for persistent multidrug resistance integrons.
Despite the accumulating knowledge on the development and establishment of the gut microbiota, its role as a reservoir for multidrug resistance is not well understood. This study investigated the prevalence and persistence patterns of an integrase gene (int1), used as a proxy for integrons (which often carry multiple antimicrobial resistance genes), in the fecal microbiota of 147 mothers and their children sampled longitudinally from birth to 2 years. The study showed the int1 gene was detected in 15% of the study population, and apparently more persistent than the microbial community structure itself. We found int1 to be persistent throughout the first two years of life, as well as between mothers and their 2-year-old children. Metagenome sequencing revealed integrons in the gut meta-mobilome that were associated with plasmids and multidrug resistance. In conclusion, the persistent nature of integrons in the infant gut microbiota makes it a potential reservoir of mobile multidrug resistance.
Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food science department (IKBM), Campus Ås, Ås 1432, Norway.
Anuradha
A
Ravi
Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food science department (IKBM), Campus Ås, Ås 1432, Norway.
Ekaterina
E
Avershina
National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Division of Microbiology, Jefferson, AR 72079.
Steven L
SL
Foley
Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food science department (IKBM), Campus Ås, Ås 1432, Norway.
Jane
J
Ludvigsen
Department of Public Health and General Practice, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 9491 Trondheim, Norway.
Ola
O
Storrø
Department of Public Health and General Practice, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 9491 Trondheim, Norway.
Torbjørn
T
Øien
Department of Public Health and General Practice, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 9491 Trondheim, Norway.
Roar
R
Johnsen
Microbial Ecology &Health Group, Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK.
Anne L
AL
McCartney
Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Department of Food safety and Infection Biology, Campus Adamstuen, Oslo 0454, Norway.
Trine M
TM
L'Abée-Lund
Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food science department (IKBM), Campus Ås, Ås 1432, Norway.
Knut
K
Rudi
D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019426:Integrases / Q000235:genetics*; D032023:Integrons; D011247:Pregnancy; D013559:Symbiosis
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D019426:Integrases