Effect of cattle farm exposure on oropharyngeal and gut microbial communities and antibiotic resistance genes in workers.

Abstract Livestock farms are recognized as the main sources of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) with potential implications for human health. In this study, we systematically analyzed microbiome composition, distribution of ARGs and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) in the oropharynx and gut of workers in cattle farms and surrounding villagers, cattle feces and farm air, and the relationship of microbial communities among farm air, cattle feces and farmworkers (oropharynx and gut). Exposure to the farm environment may have remodeled farmworkers' oropharynx and gut microbiota, with reduced microbial diversity (P   0.05). Microbial composition and ARG profile in farmworkers might be influenced by working time and work type, ARG abundance in farmworkers' gut was positively correlated with working time (P   0.6, P