Antibiotic Resistance Genes in the Bacteriophage DNA Fraction of Human Fecal Samples

ABSTRACT A group of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) ( bla TEM , bla CTX-M-1 , mecA , armA , qnrA , and qnrS ) were analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) in bacteriophage DNA isolated from feces from 80 healthy humans. Seventy-seven percent of the samples were positive in phage DNA for one or more ARGs. bla TEM , qnrA , and, bla CTX-M-1 were the most abundant, and armA , qnrS , and mecA were less prevalent. Free bacteriophages carrying ARGs may contribute to the mobilization of ARGs in intra- and extraintestinal environments.