Horizontal gene transfer amongst probiotic lactic acid bacteria and other intestinal microbiota: What are the possibilities? A review
Abstract
Probiotics are live cultures, usually lactic acid bacteria, which are ingested to promote a healthy gastrointestinal tract. These organisms require certain traits to survive and compete in this niche, but these traits may be transferred to other microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Similarly, virulence factors from pathogens may be acquired by probiotic strains. Bacteria have developed a plethora of methods to transfer genetic material between strains, species and genera. In this review, the possible factors that may be exchanged and the methods of exchange are discussed.
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Intrinsic antimicrobial resistance is generally regarded as having a low potential of horizontal spread.
“Although gene exchange among viable microorganisms is expected to occur in open ecosystems such as the gastrointestinal tract, intrinsic antimicrobial resistance is generally regarded as having a low potential of horizontal spread, whereas acquired resistance encoded by additional genes is considered to carry a substantially higher risk of lateral transfer [128,129].”
From Current Concepts in Probiotic Safety and Efficacy (2026) · cites this paper as [128]
Acquired resistance can arise either through addition of genes, such as by obtaining exogenous DNA, or through mutation of one's own genes.
“Acquired resistance can arise either through the addition of genes (e.g., by obtaining exogenous DNA) or through mutation of one’s own genes [127,128].”
From Current Concepts in Probiotic Safety and Efficacy (2026) · cites this paper as [128]
Acquired resistance encoded by additional genes is considered to carry a substantially higher risk of lateral transfer.
“Although gene exchange among viable microorganisms is expected to occur in open ecosystems such as the gastrointestinal tract, intrinsic antimicrobial resistance is generally regarded as having a low potential of horizontal spread, whereas acquired resistance encoded by additional genes is considered to carry a substantially higher risk of lateral transfer [128,129].”
From Current Concepts in Probiotic Safety and Efficacy (2026) · cites this paper as [128]
Resistance due to mutation of chromosomal genes is considered to pose a low risk of horizontal spread.
“However, resistance due to mutation of chromosomal genes is considered to pose a low risk of horizontal spread [128,129].”
From Current Concepts in Probiotic Safety and Efficacy (2026) · cites this paper as [128]
Gene exchange among viable microorganisms is expected to occur in open ecosystems such as the gastrointestinal tract.
“Although gene exchange among viable microorganisms is expected to occur in open ecosystems such as the gastrointestinal tract, intrinsic antimicrobial resistance is generally regarded as having a low potential of horizontal spread, whereas acquired resistance encoded by additional genes is considered to carry a substantially higher risk of lateral transfer [128,129].”
From Current Concepts in Probiotic Safety and Efficacy (2026) · cites this paper as [128]
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References 149 · Cited by 167
- Authors
- van Reenen, C. A., & Dicks, L. M. T.
- Affiliations
- Stellenbosch University (ZA)
- Corresponding author
- Dicks, Leon M. T.
- ORCID
- Dicks, Leon M. T.
- Venue
- Archives of Microbiology
- Published
- 2010-12-31
- Volume
- 193
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 157-168
- ISSN
- 0003-9276 (ISSN-L)
- 0302-8933
- 1432-072X
- OpenAlex
- W2116431343
- Cited by
- 167
- References
- 149
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 14 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 10
- FWCI
- 0.76
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Archives of Microbiology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- SUNScholar (Stellenbosch University) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Probiotics and Fermented Foods
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Bacteriophages and microbial interactions
- Keywords
- horizontal gene transfer, probiotics, lactic acid bacteria, gut microbiota, gastrointestinal tract, virulence factors, pathogen acquisition, interspecies gene transfer
- MeSH terms
- DNA, Bacterial, Intestines, Lactobacillaceae, Virulence, Probiotics, Gene Transfer, Horizontal, Metagenome
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