scholarly journals Antibiotic Resistance and Virulence Profiles of Gram-Negative Bacteria Isolated from Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta Caretta) of the Island of Maio, Cape Verde

Author(s):  
Matilde Costa Fernandes ◽  
Miguel L. Grilo ◽  
Eva Cunha ◽  
Carla Carneiro ◽  
Luís Tavares ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Several studies detected high levels of antibiotic-resistance in loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) and pointed this species as prime reservoirs of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and carriers of potentially pathogenic bacteria. This study aimed to characterize, for the first time, the Gram-negative aerobic microbiota of the Cape Verdean loggerhead subpopulation. Cloacal, oral and egg content swab samples from 33 nesting loggerheads (n = 99) of the Island of Maio were analysed regarding the presence of Gram-negative bacteria and their antibiotic resistance and virulence profiles. Results: Shewanella putrefaciens (27.78%), Morganella morganii (22.22%) and Vibrio alginolyticus (22.22%) were the most prevalent species isolated from the animals under study. A low incidence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (26%) was detected, and no multidrug-resistant isolates were identified. Non-Enterobacteriaceae isolates presented the most complex virulence profiles, revealing the ability to produce hemolysins (100%), DNases (89%), lipases (79%), proteases (53%), lecithinases (21%), gelatinases (16%), and also biofilms (74%). Moreover, higher virulence indices were obtained for turtles with high parasite intensities compared with apparently healthy animals, and a positive correlation between antibiotic resistance and virulence was observed. Conclusions: Results suggest that this loggerhead population may be less exposed to antimicrobial compounds, probably due to the low anthropogenic impact observed in both their nesting (the Island of Maio) and foraging sites. Nevertheless, the presence of potentially pathogenic bacteria expressing virulence factors may threat both sea turtles’ and humans’ health.


Antibiotics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Francesca Blasi ◽  
Luciana Migliore ◽  
Daniela Mattei ◽  
Alice Rotini ◽  
Maria Cristina Thaller ◽  
...  

Sea turtles have been proposed as health indicators of marine habitats and carriers of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains, for their longevity and migratory lifestyle. Up to now, a few studies evaluated the antibacterial resistant flora of Mediterranean loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) and most of them were carried out on stranded or recovered animals. In this study, the isolation and the antibiotic resistance profile of 90 Gram negative bacteria from cloacal swabs of 33 Mediterranean wild captured loggerhead sea turtles are described. Among sea turtles found in their foraging sites, 23 were in good health and 10 needed recovery for different health problems (hereafter named weak). Isolated cloacal bacteria belonged mainly to Enterobacteriaceae (59%), Shewanellaceae (31%) and Vibrionaceae families (5%). Although slight differences in the bacterial composition, healthy and weak sea turtles shared antibiotic-resistant strains. In total, 74 strains were endowed with one or multi resistance (up to five different drugs) phenotypes, mainly towards ampicillin (~70%) or sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (more than 30%). Hence, our results confirmed the presence of antibiotic-resistant strains also in healthy marine animals and the role of the loggerhead sea turtles in spreading antibiotic-resistant bacteria.



Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 771
Author(s):  
Matilde Fernandes ◽  
Miguel L. Grilo ◽  
Carla Carneiro ◽  
Eva Cunha ◽  
Luís Tavares ◽  
...  

Previous studies revealed high levels of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta), describing this species as prime reservoir of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. This study aimed to characterise, for the first time, the AMR and virulence profiles of Gram-negative bacteria isolated from 33 nesting loggerhead turtles of the island of Maio, Cape Verde. Cloacal, oral, and egg content swab samples (n = 99) were collected and analysed using conventional bacteriological techniques. Shewanella putrefaciens, Morganella morganii, and Vibrio alginolyticus were isolated from the samples under study. The isolates obtained from this loggerhead subpopulation (North-East Atlantic) revealed lower levels of AMR, compared with the results of studies performed in other subpopulations (e.g., Mediterranean). However, the detection of resistance to carbapenems and multiple antimicrobial resistance indices higher than 0.20, raises concern about the potential association of these animals to points of high antimicrobial exposure. Furthermore, virulence phenotypic characterisation revealed that the isolates presented complex virulence profiles, including the ability to produce biofilms. Finally, due to their pathogenic potential, and considering the evidence of illegal consumption of turtle-related products on the island of Maio, the identified bacteria may represent a significant threat to public health.





The Condor ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 105 (2) ◽  
pp. 358-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andréa M. A. Nascimento ◽  
Luciana Cursino ◽  
Higgor Gonçalves-Dornelas ◽  
Andrea Reis ◽  
Edmar Chartone-Souza ◽  
...  

Abstract We evaluated the antibiotic resistance of bacteria isolated from cloacal swabs of wild birds collected with mist nets in the Jequitinhonha river valley, in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. A total of 191 isolates from 19 individuals of 16 species was obtained and tested for resistance to five antibiotics. At Salto da Divisa 97% of the isolates exhibited a resistant phenotype, and resistance to more than one antibiotic was frequent (71%). At Jequitinhonha 36% of isolates were resistant, but 94% showed resistance to only one antibiotic. Of the five antibiotics tested, resistance to ampicillin was most frequent (in both areas), whereas kanamycin resistance was found in only one isolate. The data here obtained and other data reported in the literature show that the general premise that antibiotic-resistant bacteria arise primarily in hospitals or animal farms should be reconsidered. Bactérias Gram-Negativas Resistentes a Antibióticos em Aves da Mata Atlântica Brasileira Resumo. Avaliamos a resistência a antibióticos de bactérias isoladas por swab cloacal em aves selvagens capturadas com redes de neblina em duas regiões do Vale do Rio Jequitinhonha, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Foram obtidos 191 isolados de 19 indivíduos de 16 espécies e foi testada a resistência desses isolados a cinco antibióticos. Em Salto da Divisa, 97% dos isolados exibiram fenótipo resistente e foi freqüente (71%) a resistência a mais de um antibiótico. Em Jequitinhonha, 36% dos isolados exibiram fenótipo resistente, dos quais 94% apresentaram resistência a apenas um antibiótico. Em ambas as áreas, a maioria dos isolados apresentou resistência à ampicilina, enquanto somente um único isolado foi resistente à canamicina. Os dados aqui obtidos e outros relatados na literatura mostram que a premissa geral de que bactérias resistentes a antibióticos surgem principalmente em hospitais ou fazendas de animais deve ser reconsiderada.



2011 ◽  
Vol 55 (5) ◽  
pp. 2206-2211 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Veiga-Crespo ◽  
E. Fusté ◽  
T. Vinuesa ◽  
M. Viñas ◽  
T. G. Villa

ABSTRACTAntibiotic-resistant bacteria are becoming one of the most important problems in health care because of the number of resistant strains and the paucity of new effective antimicrobials. Since antibiotic-resistant bacteria will continue to increase, it is necessary to look for new alternative strategies to fight against them. It is generally accepted that Gram-negative bacteria are intrinsically less susceptible than Gram-positive bacteria to antimicrobials. The main reason is that Gram-negative bacteria are surrounded by a permeability barrier known as the outer membrane (OM). Hydrophilic solutes most often cross the OM through water-filled channels formed by a particular family of proteins known as porins. This work explores the possibility of using exogenous porins to lower the required amounts of antibiotics (ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, cefotaxime, clindamycin, erythromycin, and tetracycline). Porins had a bactericidal effect onEscherichia colicultures, mainly in the logarithmic phase of growth, when combined with low antibiotic concentrations. The use of different antibiotic-porin mixtures showed a bactericidal effect greater than those of antibiotics and porins when used separately. It was possible to observe different behaviors according to the antibiotic type used.



2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Bollin ◽  
Ellen Jensen ◽  
David Mitchell

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility that antibiotic resistant bacteria could be isolated and identified in aquatic ecosystems in the lakes on the campus of Saint John’s University and the nearby Sauk and Watab Rivers. A total of 125 isolates were collected. Seventy-nine percent of the isolates were gram negative rods. Twenty-six isolates that were resistant to seven or more antibiotics were selected for further investigation. The 26 isolates were all gram negative and members of seven different genera with Flavobacterium and Acinetobacter being the most common. Resistance coefficients were calculated based on optical density values relative to cells grown without antibiotics. Multi-drug resistant, gram negative bacteria were shown to be common in aquatic environments in central Minnesota.



2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (4A) ◽  
pp. 199-209
Author(s):  
Nguyen Kim Hanh ◽  
Nguyen Trinh Duc Hieu ◽  
Nguyen Minh Hieu ◽  
Vo Hai Thi ◽  
Pham Thi Mien ◽  
...  

To assess the impact of antibiotic use in aquaculture in Nha Trang bay, we conducted this study with the aim of assessing antibiotic resistance of opportunistic pathogenic bacteria isolated from water and sediment around shrimp/fish cages in the Nha Trang bay. 109 strains of Vibrio, Salmonella-Shigella and Aeromonas groups were isolated in the surrounding environment of farming areas in Dam Bay and Hon Mieu. Antimicrobial resistance test of these 109 strains showed that in the water environment in Dam Bay, TET (96.6%) and NIT (92.5%) were the two antibiotics with the highest rates of resistant bacteria while no bacteria were resistant to RIF. All 5 types of antibiotics had a statistically insignificant percentage of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in water samples at Hon Mieu, ranging from 33.3% to 68.9%. Also in the water environment, the rate of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in Dam Bay was not influenced by the distance to the cages (42.5–66.6%). Meanwhile, in Hon Mieu, the highest rate of resistant bacteria was observed at the distance of 200 m (100%) away from cages and the lowest rate at the distance of 100 m (20%). In the sediment environment around the cages, both the Dam Bay and Hon Mieu farming areas showed the highest rates of antibiotic-resistant bacteria against TET, NIF and RIF had the lowest rate of resistant bacteria. Among the total of 109 strains tested for antibiotic resistance, 2 strains labeled TCBS_HM200 m and SS_HM200 m were found to be resistant to all 5 tested antibiotics. These two strains were respectively identified as Vibrio harveyi and Oceanimonas sp.



2009 ◽  
Vol 59 (10) ◽  
pp. 1929-1936 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. O. Oluyege ◽  
A. C. Dada ◽  
A. T. Odeyemi

In most rural and urban settlements, particularly in Nigeria, wells, spring, streams or rivers and lakes serves as major sources of water supply for drinking and other domestic purposes. Unfortunately, many of the available water sources are not potable without some form of treatment which is seldom available in most settings. The use of untreated surface water sources for drinking and for domestic purposes remains a major threat to public health as these could serve as reservoirs the for transfer of antibiotic resistant pathogens. The incidence of resistant bacteria isolated from surface and underground water in six rural settlements in Ekiti State Nigeria was thus investigated. Gram-negative bacteria were isolated from wells, streams and boreholes in six rural settlements in Ekiti State Nigeria between January and April, 2006 and the prevalence of organisms exhibiting multiple antibiotic resistance to tetracycline, amoxicillin, cotrimoxazole, nitofurantoin, gentamicin, nalidixic acid and ofloxacin was observed. Gram-negative bacterial isolates comprised Escherichia coli (22.7%), Enterobacter aerogenes (2.5%), Salmonella spp. (13.3%), Shigella spp. (19.3%), Proteus spp. (18.5%), Klebsiella spp. (19.3%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (4.2%). Over 10% of the bacteria were resistant to four or more antibiotic. Antibiotic resistance was highest in members of the genera Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, and Proteus. Given the prevalence of appalling sanitary facilities and inappropriate public antibiotic use, the possibility of antibiotic resistance selection, faecal dissemination and subsequent contamination of local water sources available for rural residents of the developing world is highlighted. The implication for clinical practice of infections caused by antibiotic resistant strains especially among immunodeficient individuals is also discussed.



Antibiotics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 719
Author(s):  
Virginio Cepas ◽  
Sara M. Soto

Bacteria present in the human body are innocuous, providing beneficial functions, some of which are necessary for correct body function. However, other bacteria are able to colonize, invade, and cause damage to different tissues, and these are categorised as pathogens. These pathogenic bacteria possess several factors that enable them to be more virulent and cause infection. Bacteria have a great capacity to adapt to different niches and environmental conditions (presence of antibiotics, iron depletion, etc.). Antibiotic pressure has favoured the emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria worldwide. Several studies have reported the presence of a relationship (both positive and negative, and both direct and indirect) between antimicrobial resistance and virulence among bacterial pathogens. This review studies the relationship among the most important Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) taking into account two points of view: (i) the effect the acquisition of resistance has on virulence, and (ii) co-selection of resistance and virulence. The relationship between resistance and virulence among bacteria depends on the bacterial species, the specific mechanisms of resistance and virulence, the ecological niche, and the host.



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