Gulls as carriers of antimicrobial resistance genes in different biogeographical areas of South America

Abstract

The aim of this communication was to establish if Enterobacterales associated with gulls in Argentina harbored antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes. We analyzed cloacal swabs in two contrasting areas: Ensenada, Buenos Aires province (26 Larus dominicanus and 22 Chroicocephalus maculipennis) and Puerto Madryn, Chubut province (20 L. dominicanus). In Ensenada, bla CTX-M and mcr-1 genes, were isolated from both gull species, whereas in the Puerto Madryn, only bla CTX-M gene was found. We report for the fi rst time C. maculipennis as carrier of AMR. The fi nding of AMR in wildlife constitutes a useful tool in evaluating the anthropogenic impact on environmental health.

Longitudinal Study on Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-E. coli in Sentinel Mallard Ducks in an Important Baltic Stop-Over Site for Migratory Ducks in Germany

“…Among wild animals, a special role in spreading AMR has been proposed for wild birds as they are able to migrate over vast distances [ 28 , 29 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 ]. The studies range from investigations of very remote areas with scarce human influence, such as Antarctica or Alaska [ 26 , 49 ], to areas with high human influence [ 50 ], such as poultry farms [ 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 ].…”

“…This contact may play a role in the transmission of resistant bacteria, as already described for a wide variety of animal species, such as wild boar, roe deer, bats, marine mammals, pinnipeds, monkeys or wild birds [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ], indicating that aquatic and terrestrial wildlife populations that are exposed to human residues have a higher prevalence of AMR bacteria than those living in more pristine areas [ 14 , 16 , 19 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ]. Specifically, wild birds with frequent contact to human settlements may serve as vehicles to disseminate AMR bacteria or antimicrobial residues from anthropogenic sources over long distances [ 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ]. However, the risk of AMR bacteria transmission between humans and wild or domestic animals, especially with a focus on such wild animals connecting all of them, is not clear [ 32 , 33 ].…”