Fate of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Abandoned Swine Feedlots in China: Seasonal Variation

Abstract Background: Environmental hygiene concerns are needed to be settled before the reuse of abandoned swine feedlot sites. However, few researchers have focused on the fate of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in soil microbiota around abandoned swine feedlots. In this study, we examined the seasonal alterations of ARGs and bacterial community composition in soil using quantitative PCR and high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene. Results: The seasonal variation patterns were different for different ARG subtypes and soil sampling sites. The bacterial community composition at the genus level generally showed no significant alteration from winter to summer. Moreover, the co-occurrence network suggested that the bacterial genera host range of ARGs was broader in the summer than in the winter. Conclusion: This study offers further data on ARG transfer risk in soil, emphasizing the necessity of continuous concern before reuse of abandoned feedlots.