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

Overview

Journal Antibiotics (Basel)

Specialty Pharmacology

Date 2021 Jul 2

PMID 34202799

Citations 12

Authors

Matilde Fernandes

Miguel L Grilo

Carla Carneiro

Eva Cunha

Luis Tavares

Juan Patino-Martinez

Manuela Oliveira

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Previous studies revealed high levels of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in loggerhead sea turtles (), 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 ( = 99) were collected and analysed using conventional bacteriological techniques. , and 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.

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