High occurrence of antibiotic resistance genes in intensive aquaculture of hybrid snakehead fish

The increasing abundance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), which are regarded as new pollutants, has raised public health concerns. Antibiotics used in aquaculture have promoted the evolution and spread of ARGs. The occurrence and abundance of ARGs in aquaculture have attracted extensive attention. However, the distribution and transmission of ARGs in aquaculture require further study. This study analyzed water and sediments from high-density cultures of hybrid snakehead fish farms in Zhongshan, South China. Twenty-two types of ARGs were detected in all the environmental samples.This implies that pond water is one of the main reservoirs and origins of ARGs in the aquatic environment. esistant bacteria (ARB) in fish farming areas in South China. This suggests that ARG levels and microbiological community composition in aquaculture should be conventionally determined to assess the potential risks to public health.