Presence of tetracycline-resistant genes in manures from different-size farms situated close to Kazan (Russia)

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance is currently one of the most serious medical and environmental problems. In this study, the level of tetracycline resistant-gene contamination of the manures of different size farms that provide meat for Kazan (Russia) was investigated. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with specific primers for tet(A), tet(B), tet(C), tet(E), tet(M), tet(O), tet(S), tet(X) and subsequent electrophoresis was used to reveal the level of pollution. It was found that all 16 samples investigated contained at least one resistant gene. The genes tet(M), tet(O), tet(S), responsible for encoding ribosome protection, and tet(X), which encodes antibiotic decomposition, were the most abundant. No correlation was found between the farm size and the level of antibiotic resistant-gene pollution.