Metagenome Analysis Reveals Changes in Gut Microbial Antibiotic Resistance Genes and Virulence Factors in Reintroduced Giant Pandas
Antibiotic resistance has emerged as a critical global public health challenge. In this study, we employed metagenomic sequencing to analyze fecal samples from giant pandas (<i>Ailuropoda melanoleuca</i>) across three distinct stages—semi-wild, released, and wild populations—to investiga...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/7/1616 |
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| author | Wanju Feng Chenyi Gao Xinyuan Cui Bing Yang Ke He Qiuyu Huang Xinru Yang Kaizhi Wen Jiadong Xie Zhisong Yang Lifeng Zhu |
| author_facet | Wanju Feng Chenyi Gao Xinyuan Cui Bing Yang Ke He Qiuyu Huang Xinru Yang Kaizhi Wen Jiadong Xie Zhisong Yang Lifeng Zhu |
| author_sort | Wanju Feng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Antibiotic resistance has emerged as a critical global public health challenge. In this study, we employed metagenomic sequencing to analyze fecal samples from giant pandas (<i>Ailuropoda melanoleuca</i>) across three distinct stages—semi-wild, released, and wild populations—to investigate shifts in antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence factors (VFs) during the reintroduction process. Our findings revealed significant variations in the composition of ARG and VF across different stages, with released and wild giant pandas exhibiting similar ARG and VF profiles. Further analyses identified that the increased abundance of ARGs and VFs in both released and wild individuals compared to semi-wild individuals was mainly from <i>Pseudomonas</i>. We hypothesized that the same geographic environment in which ARGs and VFs are transmitted between a host and the environment via mobile genetic elements (MGEs) may be responsible for the similar structure of ARGs and VFs in released and wild giant pandas. Additionally, diet may modulate the gut microbial community, thereby influencing the distributions of ARG and VF. This study elucidated the impact of geographic and dietary factors on ARGs and VFs dynamics in giant pandas, offering valuable insights for mitigating antibiotic resistance and virulence gene dissemination. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f8e95dddc07d49abac23a726f2cd0ba0 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-2607 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Microorganisms |
| spelling | doaj-art-f8e95dddc07d49abac23a726f2cd0ba02025-08-20T03:56:49ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072025-07-01137161610.3390/microorganisms13071616Metagenome Analysis Reveals Changes in Gut Microbial Antibiotic Resistance Genes and Virulence Factors in Reintroduced Giant PandasWanju Feng0Chenyi Gao1Xinyuan Cui2Bing Yang3Ke He4Qiuyu Huang5Xinru Yang6Kaizhi Wen7Jiadong Xie8Zhisong Yang9Lifeng Zhu10Sichuan Academy of Giant Panda, Chengdu 610081, ChinaSchool of Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, ChinaSchool of Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, ChinaSichuan Academy of Giant Panda, Chengdu 610081, ChinaSichuan Academy of Giant Panda, Chengdu 610081, ChinaSchool of Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, ChinaSchool of Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, ChinaSchool of Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, ChinaSchool of Artificial Intelligence and Information Technology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, ChinaSichuan Academy of Giant Panda, Chengdu 610081, ChinaSchool of Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, ChinaAntibiotic resistance has emerged as a critical global public health challenge. In this study, we employed metagenomic sequencing to analyze fecal samples from giant pandas (<i>Ailuropoda melanoleuca</i>) across three distinct stages—semi-wild, released, and wild populations—to investigate shifts in antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence factors (VFs) during the reintroduction process. Our findings revealed significant variations in the composition of ARG and VF across different stages, with released and wild giant pandas exhibiting similar ARG and VF profiles. Further analyses identified that the increased abundance of ARGs and VFs in both released and wild individuals compared to semi-wild individuals was mainly from <i>Pseudomonas</i>. We hypothesized that the same geographic environment in which ARGs and VFs are transmitted between a host and the environment via mobile genetic elements (MGEs) may be responsible for the similar structure of ARGs and VFs in released and wild giant pandas. Additionally, diet may modulate the gut microbial community, thereby influencing the distributions of ARG and VF. This study elucidated the impact of geographic and dietary factors on ARGs and VFs dynamics in giant pandas, offering valuable insights for mitigating antibiotic resistance and virulence gene dissemination.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/7/1616giant pandasmetagenomeantibiotic resistance gene (ARG)virulence factor (VF) |
| spellingShingle | Wanju Feng Chenyi Gao Xinyuan Cui Bing Yang Ke He Qiuyu Huang Xinru Yang Kaizhi Wen Jiadong Xie Zhisong Yang Lifeng Zhu Metagenome Analysis Reveals Changes in Gut Microbial Antibiotic Resistance Genes and Virulence Factors in Reintroduced Giant Pandas Microorganisms giant pandas metagenome antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) virulence factor (VF) |
| title | Metagenome Analysis Reveals Changes in Gut Microbial Antibiotic Resistance Genes and Virulence Factors in Reintroduced Giant Pandas |
| title_full | Metagenome Analysis Reveals Changes in Gut Microbial Antibiotic Resistance Genes and Virulence Factors in Reintroduced Giant Pandas |
| title_fullStr | Metagenome Analysis Reveals Changes in Gut Microbial Antibiotic Resistance Genes and Virulence Factors in Reintroduced Giant Pandas |
| title_full_unstemmed | Metagenome Analysis Reveals Changes in Gut Microbial Antibiotic Resistance Genes and Virulence Factors in Reintroduced Giant Pandas |
| title_short | Metagenome Analysis Reveals Changes in Gut Microbial Antibiotic Resistance Genes and Virulence Factors in Reintroduced Giant Pandas |
| title_sort | metagenome analysis reveals changes in gut microbial antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors in reintroduced giant pandas |
| topic | giant pandas metagenome antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) virulence factor (VF) |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/7/1616 |
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