Detection of antibiotic resistant enterococci and Escherichia coli in free range Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus)

last updated: 2014-01-10
TitleDetection of antibiotic resistant enterococci and Escherichia coli in free range Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus)
Publication TypePapers in Scientific Journals
Year of Publication2013
AuthorsGonçalves A., Igrejas G., Radhouani H., Santos T., Monteiro R., Pacheco R., Alcaide E., Zorrila I., Serra R., Torres C., and Poeta P.
Abstract

Thirty fecal samples from wild specimens of Iberian lynx were collected and analyzed for Enterococcus spp.s(27 isolates) and Escherichia coli (18 isolates) recovery. The 45 isolates obtained were tested for antimicrobialsresistance, molecular mechanisms of resistance, and presence of virulence genes. Among the enterococci,sEnterococcus faecium and Enterococcus hirae were the most prevalent species (11 isolates each), followedsby Enterococcus faecalis (5 isolates). High percentages of resistance to tetracycline and erythromycin (33%sand 30%, respectively) were detected among enterococcal isolates. The tet(M) and/or tet(L), erm(B),saac(6′)-Ie-aph(2″)-Ia, ant(6)-Ia, or aph(3′)-IIIa genes were detected among resistant enterococci. Virulencesgeneswere detected in one E. faecalis isolate (cpd, cylB, and cylL) and one E. hirae isolate (cylL). High percentagessof resistance were detected in E. coli isolates to tetracycline (33%), streptomycin (28%), nalidixic acid (28%), andssulfamethoxazole–trimethoprim (SXT, 22%). Additionally, the blaTEM, tet(A), aadA, cmlA, and different combinationssof sul genes were detected among most ampicillin, tetracycline, streptomycin, chloramphenicol andsSXT-resistant isolates, respectively. Two isolates contained a class 1 integron with the gene cassette arrayssdfrA1 + aadA1 and dfrA12 + aadA2. The E. coli isolates were ascribed to phylo-groups A (n = 5); B1 (n = 4);sB2 (n = 6), and D (n = 3), with the virulence gene fimA present in all E. coli isolates. This study found resistancesgenes in wild specimens of Iberian lynx. Thus, it is important to notice that multiresistant bacteria have reachedsspecies as rare and completely non-synanthropic as the Iberian lynx. Furthermore, the susceptibility of this endangeredsspecies to bacterial infection may be affected by the presence of these virulence and resistance genes.

JournalScience of The Total Environment
Date Published2013-07-01
KeywordsAntibiotic resistant enterococci, Escherichia coli, Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus)
RightsopenAccess
Peer reviewedyes
Statuspublished

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