[Characteristics of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Various Livestock Feedlot Soils of the Hilly Purple Soil Region].

Given the potential risk posed by antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) to the eco-environment in the hilly purple soil region, which has been intensively utilized by human, surface soil samples were collected from feedlots of pig, chicken, and cattle farms and were analyzed for the diversity and abundance of ARGs using high-throughput QPCR. In total, 79 ARGs and 5 mobile genetic elements (MGEs) were detected across all samples. Among these genes, multidrug resistance genes were the most abundant type of ARGs. More abundant and diverse ARGs were observed in feedlot soil samples from pig and chicken farms than those from cattle feedlot soils, and these samples showed different distribution patterns of ARGs. High abundance of MGEs and their significant correlation with ARGs (<0.05) implied an important role of MGEs in the dissemination of ARGs in livestock feedlot soils.