Metagenomic analysis revealed a wide distribution of antibiotic resistance genes and biosynthesis of antibiotics in the gut of giant pandas

Abstract

Background The gut microbiome is essential for the host’s health and serves as an essential reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). We investigated the effects of different factors, including the dietary shifts and age, on the functional characteristics of the giant panda’s gut microbiome (GPs) through shotgun metagenome sequencing. We explored the association between gut bacterial genera and ARGs within the gut based on network analysis. Results Fecal samples (n=60) from captive juvenile, adult, and geriatric GPs were processed, and variations were identified in the gut microbiome according to different ages, the abundance of novel ARGs and the biosynthesis of antibiotics. Among 667 ARGs identified, nine from the top ten ARGs had a higher abundance in juveniles. For 102 ARGs against bacteria, a co-occurrence pattern revealed a positive association for predominant ARGs with Streptococcus. A comparative KEGG pathways analysis revealed an abundant biosynthesis of antibiotics among three different groups of GPs, where it was more significantly observed in the juvenile group. A co-occurrence pattern further revealed a positive association for the top ten ARGs, biosynthesis of antibiotics, and metabolic pathways. Conclusion Gut of GPs serve as a reservoir for novel ARGs and biosynthesis of antibiotics. Dietary changes and age may influence the gut microbiome’s functional characteristics; however, it needs further studies to ascertain the study outcomes.

Age-related alterations in metabolome and microbiome provide insights in dietary transition in giant pandas

“…Both the number and the diversity of ARGs increased with age, suggesting a higher risk of bacterial resistance to antibiotics in old pandas. Our results were consistent with previous metagenome studies on giant pandas ( 23 , 91 , 92 ). In particular, we found that the proportion of ARGs belonging to fluoroquinolone, tetracycline, and macrolides antibiotics was high in all giant panda fecal samples.…”

The distribution variation of pathogens and virulence factors in different geographical populations of giant pandas

“…In the conservation of natural world heritage, the giant panda is widely recognized as a crucial flagship species ( Zhu D. et al, 2021 ). The gut microbiota plays a vital role in the growth, development, and immune processes of giant pandas ( Zhu et al, 2011 ; Zhang et al, 2018 ; Zhu et al, 2018 ; Zhao et al, 2021 ) and is significantly influenced by various factors including diet, phylogeny, seasons, and habitat environment ( Zhang et al, 2018 ; Tang et al, 2020 ; Hu et al, 2021 ; Mustafa et al, 2021 ; Huang et al, 2022 ). Despite the successful downgrading of the conservation status of giant pandas from endangered to vulnerable ( Guo et al, 2019 ), their health and survival are threatened by many factors.…”

Community series in the wildlife gut microbiome and its implication for conservation biology, volume II

“…Multidrug resistance to many different classes of antibiotics, which impedes antibiotic treatment, is a huge risk to human life (Zhu et al, 2013;Ouyang et al, 2015), and is also a potential threat to giant panda health. Several recent studies have shown that diverse ARGs exist in the gut of wild and captive giant pandas, and multidrug resistance genes were the dominant type of ARGs in the giant panda gut (Guo et al, 2019;Hu et al, 2020;Mustafa et al, 2021;. A survey based on ARGs of human gut microbiota in three countries (China, Denmark, and Spain) found that tetracycline resistance genes were the most abundant group of ARGs, followed by MLSs and beta_lactam resistance genes (Hu et al, 2013).…”