Comprehensive genome catalog analysis of the resistome, virulome and mobilome in the wild rodent gut microbiota

Abstract Wild rodent’s gut microbiota serves as a crucial reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), where antimicrobial-resistant bacteria interact with mobile genetic elements (MGEs) to facilitate horizontal gene transfer. This study analyzed 12,255 gut-derived bacterial genomes from wild ro...

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Main Authors: Kai-Meng Shang, He Ma, Hany M. Elsheikha, Yong-Jie Wei, Ji-Xin Zhao, Ya Qin, Jian-Ming Li, Zi-Yu Zhao, Xiao-Xuan Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-06-01
Series:npj Biofilms and Microbiomes
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41522-025-00746-2
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author Kai-Meng Shang
He Ma
Hany M. Elsheikha
Yong-Jie Wei
Ji-Xin Zhao
Ya Qin
Jian-Ming Li
Zi-Yu Zhao
Xiao-Xuan Zhang
author_facet Kai-Meng Shang
He Ma
Hany M. Elsheikha
Yong-Jie Wei
Ji-Xin Zhao
Ya Qin
Jian-Ming Li
Zi-Yu Zhao
Xiao-Xuan Zhang
author_sort Kai-Meng Shang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Wild rodent’s gut microbiota serves as a crucial reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), where antimicrobial-resistant bacteria interact with mobile genetic elements (MGEs) to facilitate horizontal gene transfer. This study analyzed 12,255 gut-derived bacterial genomes from wild rodents to characterize the distribution of ARGs and virulence factor genes (VFGs), and to identify their bacterial hosts. A total of 8119 ARGs and 7626 VFGs were identified. The most prevalent ARGs conferred resistance to elfamycin, followed by those associated with multi-class antibiotic resistance. Enterobacteriaceae, particularly Escherichia coli, harbored the highest numbers of ARGs and VFGs. A strong correlation between the presence of MGEs, ARGs, and VFGs was observed, highlighting the potential for co-selection and mobilization of resistance and virulence traits. These findings underscore the importance of expanded surveillance to monitor and mitigate the risk of transmission of resistant and potentially pathogenic bacteria from wild rodents to human and animal populations.
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series npj Biofilms and Microbiomes
spelling doaj-art-eb4e974d37b14ff9a152669e91c64d9a2025-08-20T03:21:01ZengNature Portfolionpj Biofilms and Microbiomes2055-50082025-06-0111111110.1038/s41522-025-00746-2Comprehensive genome catalog analysis of the resistome, virulome and mobilome in the wild rodent gut microbiotaKai-Meng Shang0He Ma1Hany M. Elsheikha2Yong-Jie Wei3Ji-Xin Zhao4Ya Qin5Jian-Ming Li6Zi-Yu Zhao7Xiao-Xuan Zhang8College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural UniversityCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural UniversityFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington CampusCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural UniversityCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural UniversityCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural UniversityCollege of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin Province, PR China, Jilin Provincial Engineering Research Center for Efficient Breeding and Product Development of Sika Deer, Changchun, Jilin Province, PR China, Key Laboratory of Animal Production and Product Quality and Security, Ministry of Education, Ministry of National EducationCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin Agricultural UniversityCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural UniversityAbstract Wild rodent’s gut microbiota serves as a crucial reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), where antimicrobial-resistant bacteria interact with mobile genetic elements (MGEs) to facilitate horizontal gene transfer. This study analyzed 12,255 gut-derived bacterial genomes from wild rodents to characterize the distribution of ARGs and virulence factor genes (VFGs), and to identify their bacterial hosts. A total of 8119 ARGs and 7626 VFGs were identified. The most prevalent ARGs conferred resistance to elfamycin, followed by those associated with multi-class antibiotic resistance. Enterobacteriaceae, particularly Escherichia coli, harbored the highest numbers of ARGs and VFGs. A strong correlation between the presence of MGEs, ARGs, and VFGs was observed, highlighting the potential for co-selection and mobilization of resistance and virulence traits. These findings underscore the importance of expanded surveillance to monitor and mitigate the risk of transmission of resistant and potentially pathogenic bacteria from wild rodents to human and animal populations.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41522-025-00746-2
spellingShingle Kai-Meng Shang
He Ma
Hany M. Elsheikha
Yong-Jie Wei
Ji-Xin Zhao
Ya Qin
Jian-Ming Li
Zi-Yu Zhao
Xiao-Xuan Zhang
Comprehensive genome catalog analysis of the resistome, virulome and mobilome in the wild rodent gut microbiota
npj Biofilms and Microbiomes
title Comprehensive genome catalog analysis of the resistome, virulome and mobilome in the wild rodent gut microbiota
title_full Comprehensive genome catalog analysis of the resistome, virulome and mobilome in the wild rodent gut microbiota
title_fullStr Comprehensive genome catalog analysis of the resistome, virulome and mobilome in the wild rodent gut microbiota
title_full_unstemmed Comprehensive genome catalog analysis of the resistome, virulome and mobilome in the wild rodent gut microbiota
title_short Comprehensive genome catalog analysis of the resistome, virulome and mobilome in the wild rodent gut microbiota
title_sort comprehensive genome catalog analysis of the resistome virulome and mobilome in the wild rodent gut microbiota
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41522-025-00746-2
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