A reader shared their very recent lab results from   GI-MAP DNA Stool Analysis . I found at the bottom of their report something new that I wished was seen on other reports that I have reviewed. The antibiotic resistant genes found in the sample. It appears to have been added in 2018 (2018 Sample Report)

Genes transfer between bacteria, so it is rarely a case of the gene being in one taxonomy only.

“Bacteria can share genes with each other in a process called horizontal gene transfer. This can occur both between bacteria of the same species and between different species and by several different mechanisms, given the right conditions. Gene transfer results in genetic variation in bacteria and is a large problem when it comes to the spread of antibiotic resistance genes…..For example, if a bacterium picks up an antibiotic resistance gene and is subsequently exposed to that antibiotic, this bacterium will be better off than susceptible neighbors and can increase in number.” [Src]

A video on this topic.

Bottom Line

Antibiotic resistance is not new. A study on Monks DNA from a 1000 years ago found that the genes were there! [Src] [Summary] – Four monks who lived in the Middle Ages (about 950-1200) and were buried at the monastery of Dalheim, Germany.

“The team found a lot of other interesting things. They also sequenced the genetic material of one of the disease bacteria, T. Forsythia, and found that it has several antibiotic resistance genes.

”This is the first time we see fossil samples from humans with bacteria that have antibiotic resistance – long before we started producing antibiotics industrially,” says Cappellini.

Most antibiotics come from bacteria. Bacteria acquiring resistance to other bacteria is expected in the endless fight between bacteria.

When it comes to dealing with a gut dysfunction, it is likely a good idea to determine what resistance exists in the gut bacteria. A mismatch can easily contribute to further imbalance.