Comprehensive profiling of antibiotic resistance, virulence genes, and mobile genetic elements in the gut microbiome of Tibetan antelopes
Investigating the drug resistance of Tibetan antelope (<i>Pantholops hodgsonii</i>) 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.
Authors
- Lin-Hong Xie (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5295-4936)
- Cong-Cong Lei
- Hany M. Elsheikha (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3303-930X)
- Zhang Xiao-xuan
- Siyuan Qin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3915-0279)
- Bin Qiu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9378-8516)
- Hongchao Sun
- NI Hong Bo
- J. LIU
- Yan Lin Tang
- Hong-Rui Liang
- Yu Xu
- Peng Peng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1073-1820)
- Ming-Yuan Yu
- Li Guo
- Hai-Long Yu
- Ya Qin
Institutions
- University of Nottingham (GB)
- Qingdao Agricultural University (CN)
- Guizhou University (CN)
- ZheJiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CN)
- State Forestry and Grassland Administration (CN)
- Jilin Agricultural Science and Technology University (CN)
- Jilin Agricultural University (CN)
- Changchun University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- mSystems
- Published
- 2025-12-23
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1128/msystems.01443-25
- Primary Topic
- Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental Impacts
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Qingdao Agricultural University
- National Key Research and Development Program of China