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

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.