Antimicrobial Resistance in Wildlife: Implications for Public Health

Abstract

The emergence and spread of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria in natural environments is a major concern with serious implications for human and animal health. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of AMR Escherichia coli (E. coli) in wild birds and mammalian species. Thirty faecal samples were collected from each of the following wildlife species: herring gulls (Larus argentatus), black-headed gulls (Larus ridibundus), lesser black-back gulls (Larus fuscus), hybrid deer species (Cervus elaphus x Cervus nippon) and twenty-six from starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). A total of 115 E. coli isolates were isolated from 81 of 146 samples. Confirmed E. coli isolates were tested for their susceptibility to seven antimicrobial agents by disc diffusion. In total, 5.4% (8/146) of samples exhibited multidrug-resistant phenotypes. The phylogenetic group and AMR-encoding genes of all multidrug resistance isolates were determined by PCR. Tetracycline-, ampicillin- and streptomycin-resistant isolates were the most common resistant phenotypes. The following genes were identified in E. coli: bla(TEM), strA, tet(A) and tet(B). Plasmids were identified in all samples that exhibited multidrug-resistant phenotypes. This study indicates that wild birds and mammals may function as important host reservoirs and potential vectors for the spread of resistant bacteria and genetic determinants of AMR.

ESBL-producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> and Its Rapid Rise among Healthy People

“…Furthermore, recoveries of ESBL producers from wildlife such as birds [212][213][214] , boars and Barbary macaques 215) , red deer and wild small mammals 216) , and raccoon 217,218) have been increasingly documented from many countries. The wildlife colonized by ESBL producers would work as incubators and reservoirs of antimicrobialresistant microbes including ESBL producers in the environments surrounding the human community, and this would become one of the human public health concerns 219) . The ESBL producers in the feces of wildlife would indeed contrarily pollute the river water, drinking water, vegetables, and livestock, and this would subsequently augment the fecal carriage of ESBL producers in companion animals and ordinary citizens as a result of environmental circulation of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae.…”

Is Caretta Caretta a Carrier of Antibiotic Resistance in the Mediterranean Sea?

“…The acquisition of the antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) can be considered a natural phenomenon as a result of evolution, although it can be quickened by human influence [2]. Indeed, AMR can be seen as a direct consequence of the misuse of antibiotics, in healthcare, veterinary, agriculture and aquaculture, inexorably leading to the acquirement of antibiotic-resistant traits by microorganisms [3]. Wastewater from agriculture, hospitals, farms or urban wastewater treatment plants could contain resistant bacteria, which, due to either seepage phenomena or sewage from fertilized soils, can contribute to contaminating environments, where ARGs can be transferred to environmental bacteria through the well-known horizontal gene transfer mechanisms [4][5][6].…”

Antibiotic Resistance of Gram-Negative Bacteria from Wild Captured Loggerhead Sea Turtles

“…In the last century, the abuse and misuse of antibiotics led to the alarming emergence of antibacterial-resistant (ABR) strains that represent an increasing threat for both human and animal health worldwide [1][2][3]. In recent years, the spread of ABR strains has been frequently reported in natural environments, i.e., wild animals, soils, seawater.…”