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Antimicrobial resistance in faecal enterococci and Escherichia coli isolates recovered from Iberian wolf
Author(s) -
Gonçalves A.,
Igrejas G.,
Radhouani H.,
Correia S.,
Pacheco R.,
Santos T.,
Monteiro R.,
Guerra A.,
PetrucciFonseca F.,
Brito F.,
Torres C.,
Poeta P.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
letters in applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.698
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1472-765X
pISSN - 0266-8254
DOI - 10.1111/lam.12044
Subject(s) - microbiology and biotechnology , escherichia coli , biology , antimicrobial , enterococcus , feces , antibiotic resistance , enterobacteriaceae , antibiotics , genetics , gene
The aim of this study was to report the antimicrobial resistance, the molecular mechanisms associated and the detection of virulence determinants within faecal Enterococcus spp. and Escherichia coli isolates of Iberian wolf. Enterococci ( n = 227) and E. coli ( n = 195) isolates were obtained from faecal samples of Iberian wolf ( Canis lupus signatus ). High rates of resistance were detected for tetracycline and erythromycin among the enterococci isolates, and most of resistant isolates harboured the tet (M) and/or tet (L) and erm (B) genes, respectively. The bla TEM, tet (A) and/or tet (B), and aadA or strA ‐ strB genes were detected among most ampicillin‐, tetracycline‐ or streptomycin‐resistant E. coli isolates, respectively. E. coli isolates were ascribed to phylogroups A ( n = 56), B1 (91), B2 (13) and D (35). The occurrence of resistant enterococci and E. coli isolates in the faecal flora of Iberian wolf, including the presence of resistant genes in integrons, and virulence determinants was showed in this study. Iberian wolf might act as reservoir of certain resistance genes that could be spread throughout the environment. Significance and Impact of the Study This study shows antimicrobial resistance in commensal bacteria from the free‐range, Portuguese, Iberian wolf population. The results indicate that the Iberian wolf could contribute to the spread of resistant bacteria throughout the environment. Additionally, in case of infection, an increased risk of therapeutic failure due to the presence of multiresistant bacteria may represent a health problem for this endangered species. Future studies must be performed to analyse the possible contamination of these animals through the environment and/or the food chain.