Social Networks and Age Shape the Antibiotic Resistance Landscape in Primate Guts
A metagenomic study of wild Tibetan macaques reveals a complex gut resistome dominated by multidrug resistance genes. While the overall diversity of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) was not affected by individual factors, the relative abundance of specific, high-prevalence ARGs was significantly linked to the host’s age, sex, and position within the social network. Crucially, the study found extensive co-variation networks between core gut bacteria and ARGs, with host age emerging as a primary driver of these interactions. This research provides a novel ecological perspective on the dynamics of antimicrobial resistance within the microbiomes of social animals.
Why it might matter to you: This work directly connects microbial ecology with the pressing issue of antimicrobial resistance, offering a model for studying ARG transmission in natural populations. For professionals focused on microbial genetics and host-microbe interactions, it highlights how non-clinical factors like social behavior and host demography can structure the gut resistome. Understanding these ecological drivers is essential for predicting resistance spread and informs broader metagenomic surveillance strategies beyond hospital settings.
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