Comprehensive profiling of antibiotic resistance, virulence genes, and mobile genetic elements in the gut microbiome of Tibetan antelopes

mSystems

卷:11

Research Article

Jian Liu¹  Hong-Bo Ni¹  Ming-Yuan Yu²  Si-Yuan Qin²  Hany M. Elsheikha³  Peng Peng²  Li Guo⁴  Lin-Hong Xie²  Hong-Rui Liang²  Cong-Cong Lei²  Yu Xu²  Yan Tang⁵  Hai-Long Yu^1,6  Ya Qin^1,6  Jing Liu⁷  Hong-Chao Sun⁸  Xiao-Xuan Zhang¹  Bin Qiu⁹ 

[1] College of Life Sciences, Changchun Sci-Tech University, Shuangyang, Jilin, PR China

[2] College of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong, PR China

[3] College of Pharmacy, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou, PR China

[4] Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, United Kingdom

[5] Animal Science and Technology College, Jilin Agricultural Science and Technology University, Jilin, PR China

[6] College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, PR China

[7] Center of Prevention and Control Biological Disaster, State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China

[8] College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, PR China

[9] Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Science, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, PR China

关键词: Tibetan antelope;    Plateau region;    Antibiotic resistance genes;    Virulence factor genes;    Mobile genetic elements;   

DOI  :  10.1128/msystems.01443-25

 received in 2025-10-13, accepted in 2025-11-24,  发布年份 2026

来源: American Society for Microbiology

【 摘 要 】

ABSTRACTTibetan antelopes, native to high-altitude plateau regions, play an important role in the local ecosystem. Their gut harbors antimicrobial-resistant microbes, including potential pathogens. To explore this, we analyzed 33,925 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs), including 7,318 from 68 Tibetan antelopes sequenced in our laboratory. We first profiled the composition of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and then examined their associations with virulence factor genes (VFGs). In total, 2,968 ARGs were identified, conferring resistance to 23 antibiotic classes, with elfamycin resistance being most prevalent. Two ARGs were located on phage-derived sequences, though their phage taxonomy could not be resolved. ARGs were significantly correlated with VFGs, particularly genes linked to adherence and effector delivery systems. Given potential dissemination risks, we further assessed associations between ARGs and mobile genetic elements (MGEs), finding that insertion elements accounted for the largest number of ARG–MGE links. Comparative analysis with other plateau animals and humans revealed seven ARGs uniquely present in Tibetan antelopes. In summary, this study provides the first comprehensive overview of ARG composition in Tibetan antelope gut microbiomes, establishing a baseline for future hypothesis-driven studies and antimicrobial resistance surveillance in wildlife.IMPORTANCEInvestigating the drug resistance of Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii) gut microbiota serves as a critical biological indicator for assessing the impact of human activities (particularly antibiotic contamination) on the fragile ecosystem of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. This study untangles the invasion of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) into remote conservation areas, suggesting that Tibetan antelopes may act as potential vectors for ARG dissemination across plateau environments. Such findings not only highlight threats to wildlife health but also provide an ecological warning regarding the pervasive environmental risks posed by the global antimicrobial resistance crisis in natural ecosystems.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Crown copyright 2025.

【 图 表 】

FIGURE 10

Figure 11

Figure 39

Figure 23

Figure 2