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Bacteria can acquire antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) in several ways, including conjugative transfer of mobile elements, transformation by naked DNA, and transduction by bacteriophages. Recent studies have suggested that bacteriophages may be more important in this process than previously believed. To explore this issue, researchers examined the potential role of bacteriophages in spreading ARGs in animal environments.
The study involved 71 fecal waste samples from various animals, collected in slaughterhouses and farms in Spain. Escherichia coli and other fecal coliform bacteria were determined to be present. Coliphage DNA was purified from the samples and tested for resistance genes by conventional and quantitative polymerase chain reac…