Detection of antibiotic resistance genes in the feces of young adult Japanese

: Antibiotic resistance genes in the feces of healthy young adult Japanese were analyzed with polymerase chain reaction using specific primers. Antibiotic resistance genes against macrolides (ermB, ermF, ermX, and mefA/E), tetracyclines (tetW, tetQ, tetO, and tetX), β-lactam antibiotics (blaTEM ), and streptomycin (aadE) were detected in more than 50% of subjects. These antibiotic resistance genes are likely widespread in the large intestinal bacteria of young adult Japanese.