A survey of antimicrobial resistance in <i>Escherichia coli</i> isolated from wild sika deer (<i>Cervus nippon</i>) in Japan

Abstract

We examined the antimicrobial susceptibility of 848 Escherichia coli isolates from 237 feces samples of wild sika deer ( Cervus nippon ) captured between 2016 and 2019 in 39 of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Five of the 237 wild sika deer (2.1%) carried E. coli with resistance to at least one antimicrobial, and all the resistant isolates showed resistance to tetracycline. The resistant isolates contained antimicrobial resistance genes that were similar to those in E. coli derived from humans and farm animals. Although wild sika deer are not currently likely to be a source for the transmission of antimicrobial resistance in Japan, they can potentially mediate antimicrobial resistance spread by coming into contact with humans, animals, and their surroundings.

Whole-genome sequence analysis of Shiga toxin-producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> O157 strains isolated from wild deer and boar in Japan

“…Contrary, deer captured in urban area, where they prohibited for feeding deer and garbage dumping showed lower rate of drug-resistant bacteria than those in deer captured in other urban area. Tamamura-Andoh et al [48] reported that although the prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant E. coli in wild deer was low (1.1%), properties, including the repertoires of antimicrobial resistance genes and other molecular characteristics in the E. coli strains were common with those in E. coli derived from humans and farm animals. Actually, some of the STEC O157-positive deer in prefectures H and U were caught in an area located close to farms in this study.…”

Current status and future perspective of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and resistance genes in animal-breeding environments

“…Wildlife animals, such as field mice and deer, have minimal contact with humans and rarely harbor ARB [3,35,69]. However, some small mammals, such as rodents, can be found in farm environments.…”

Isolation of extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase‐producing Escherichia coli from Japanese red fox (Vulpes vulpes japonica)

“…Multisectoral approaches have been implemented according to the national action plan on AMR in Japan, as described in the Nippon AMR One Health Report (The AMR One Health Surveillance Committee, 2021 ). Furthermore, in Japan, ARB in wild animals has been addressed as a component of the environment since 2020, and the prevalence of AMR among Escherichia coli found in several wild animals has been recently reported (Asai et al, 2020 ; Fukuda et al, 2021 ; Tamamura‐Andoh et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Wild animals are potential sentinels of ARB in the environment, with infections among humans living in wildlife areas posing potential risks for transmitting pathogens, including ARB, to wild animals. Recent studies in Japan revealed a low prevalence of ARB in free‐living wild animals, depending on their proximity to human activities, feeding habits, behavioral patterns, and habitats (Asai et al, 2020 ; Tamamura‐Andoh et al, 2021 ). However, wild animals in urban parks (Ikushima et al, 2021 ) and around animal facilities serve as reservoirs of ARB (Yossapol et al, 2021 ).…”