Occurrence and distribution of clinical and veterinary antibiotics in the faeces of a Chinese population

[Display omitted] •The occurrence and distribution of antibiotics typically found in the gut of a Chinese population was detected.•Clinical use and prescriptions were the main antibiotic exposure pathways for children.•Significant differences in antibiotic residues in human faeces were observed and human faeces from underdeveloped areas had higher antibiotic levels. Antibiotics ingested in the human gut may create selective pressure to change the composition of the gut microbiota, which could adversely effect the immune system of the host. However, the occurrence and distribution of antibiotics in the human gut remains unclear. A total population of 180 individuals, across three Chinses regions with different economic development levels, including children, adults, and elders, were sampled in 2017. A total of 19 representative antibiotics, including both clinical and veterinary antibiotics, were investigated in human faeces. While clinical use and prescriptions were the main exposure pathways for children, environmental media were the exposure pathway to adults. In addition, significant differences (P