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Occurrence of antibiotic resistance genes in the fecal DNA of healthy omnivores, ovo‐lacto vegetarians and vegans
Author(s) -
Milanović Vesna,
Osimani Andrea,
Aquilanti Lucia,
Tavoletti Stefano,
Garofalo Cristiana,
Polverigiani Serena,
LittaMulondo Alice,
Cocolin Luca,
Ferrocino Ilario,
Di Cagno Raffaella,
Turroni Silvia,
Lazzi Camilla,
Pellegrini Nicoletta,
Clementi Francesca
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
molecular nutrition and food research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.495
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1613-4133
pISSN - 1613-4125
DOI - 10.1002/mnfr.201601098
Subject(s) - omnivore , vegan diet , feces , biology , antibiotics , tetracycline , cohort , veterinary medicine , genetics , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , ecology , predation
Scope The effects of long‐term omnivore, ovo‐lacto vegetarian and vegan diets on the occurrence of 12 antibiotic resistance (AR) genes in the human gut were studied. Methods and results The feces of 144 healthy volunteers recruited from Turin, Bari, Bologna, and Parma were screened for the occurrence of genes conferring resistance to tetracyclines, macrolide‐lincosamide‐streptogramin B, vancomycin, and β‐lactams. Overall, erm (B), tet (W) and tet (M) were detected at the highest frequency. A low effect from the diet on the AR gene distribution emerged, with tet (K) and vanB occurring at a lower and higher frequency in vegans and omnivores, respectively. A correlation of the intake of eggs, milk from animal sources and cheese with an increased occurrence of tet (K) was observed, together with a higher incidence of vanB in consumers of eggs, poultry meat, fish and seafood. When the detection frequencies of AR genes in volunteers from Bari and the other sites were comparatively evaluated, a north‐to‐south gradient was observed, whereas no effect of sex or age was highlighted. Except for tet (K), a negligible three‐factor interaction was seen. Conclusion A high impact of the geographical location on AR gene distribution was seen in the cohort of subjects analyzed, irrespective of their dietary habits.