Detection of antibiotic resistance genes in the feces of young adult Japanese

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance genes in the feces of healthy young adult Japanese were analyzed with polymerase chain reaction using specific primers. Antibiotic resistance genes against macrolides (ermB, ermF, ermX, and mefA/E), tetracyclines (tetW, tetQ, tetO, and tetX), β-lactam antibiotics (blaTEM), and streptomycin (aadE) were detected in more than 50% of subjects. These antibiotic resistance genes are likely widespread in the large intestinal bacteria of young adult Japanese.