Critical priority pathogens have globally disseminated beyond clinical settings, thereby threatening wildlife. Andean Condors (Vultur gryphus) are essential for ecosystem health and functioning, but ...their populations are globally near threatened and declining due to anthropogenic activities. During a microbiological and genomic surveillance study of critical priority antibiotic‐resistant pathogens, we identified pandemic lineages of multidrug‐resistant extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase (ESBL)‐producing Escherichia coli colonizing Andean Condors admitted at two wildlife rehabilitation centres in South America. Genomic analysis revealed the presence of genes encoding resistance to hospital and healthcare agents among international E. coli clones belonging to sequence types (STs) ST162, ST602, ST1196 and ST1485. In this regard, the resistome included genes conferring resistance to clinically important cephalosporins (i.e., CTX‐M‐14, CTX‐M‐55 and CTX‐M‐65 ESBL genes), heavy metals (arsenic, mercury, lead, cadmium, copper, silver), pesticides (glyphosate) and domestic/hospital disinfectants, suggesting a link with anthropogenic environmental pollution. On the other hand, the presence of virulence factors, including the astA gene associated with outbreak of childhood diarrhoea and extra‐intestinal disease in animals, was identified, whereas virulent behaviour was confirmed using the Galleria mellonella infection model. E. coli ST162, ST602, ST1196 and ST1485 have been previously identified in humans and food‐producing animals worldwide, indicating that a wide resistome could contribute to rapid adaptation and dissemination of these clones at the human–animal–environment interface. Therefore, these results highlight that Andean Condors have been colonized by critical priority pathogens, becoming potential environmental reservoirs and/or vectors for dissemination of virulent and antimicrobial‐resistant bacteria and/or their genes, in associated ecosystems and wildlife.
The emergence of mobile mcr genes mediating resistance to colistin is a critical public health issue that has hindered the treatment of serious infections caused by multidrug‐resistant pathogens in ...humans and other animals. We report the emergence of the mcr‐9.1 gene in a polymyxin‐resistant extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase (ESBL)‐producing Enterobacter kobei infecting a free‐living franciscana dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei), threatened with extinction in South America. Genomic analysis confirmed the presence of genes conferring resistance to clinically relevant β‐lactam blaCTX‐M‐15, blaACT‐9, blaOXA‐1 and blaTEM‐1B, aminoglycoside aac(3)‐IIa, aadA1, aph(3'')‐Ib and aph(6)‐Id, trimethoprim dfrA14, tetracycline tetA, quinolone aac(6')‐Ib‐cr and qnrB1, fosfomycin fosA, sulphonamide sul2 and phenicol catA1 and catB3 antibiotics. The identification of mcr‐9.1 in a CTX‐M‐15‐producing pathogen infecting a critically endangered animal is of serious concern, which should be interpreted as a sign of further spread of critical priority pathogens and their resistance genes in threatened ecosystems.
Cetacean morbillivirus in Humpback whales’ exhaled breath Groch, Kátia R.; Blazquez, Diana N. H.; Marcondes, Milton C. C. ...
Transboundary and emerging diseases,
July 2021, 2021-07-00, 20210701, Letnik:
68, Številka:
4
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
The humpback whale (HW; Megaptera novaeangliae) population that seasonally resides along the Brazilian coast concentrates in the Abrolhos Bank (Bahia and Espírito Santo states) for breeding during ...austral winter and spring. Cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV, Paramyxoviridae family) is currently one of the most significant biological threats to cetaceans worldwide with high infection and mortality rates. CeMV is pleiotropic yet it has special tropism for the respiratory, lymphoid and nervous system and is primarily transmitted by the aerogenous route. A new lineage of CeMV, the Guiana dolphin morbillivirus (GDMV), is known to affect cetaceans off Brazil. GDMV was first detected in a Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) stranded in the Abrolhos Bank region, in 2010. In addition to pathologic examinations on stranded HW, pathogen survey of free‐ranging HW may provide valuable insight into the epidemiology of diseases. We hypothesized that HW in the Brazilian breeding ground could be exposed to CeMV. Thus, in the present study, we investigated the presence of CeMV in exhaled breath condensates (EBC) of HW in the Abrolhos Bank. Overall, 73 samples of EBC from 48 groups of HW were collected during the breeding seasons of 2011 (n = 16) and 2012 (n = 57). One sample failed to have the reference gene amplified and was excluded from the study. CeMV was detected by a RT‐qPCR method in 2 EBC samples, representing 2 whale groups. Phylogenetic analysis of partial morbillivirus phosphoprotein gene showed 100% homology to GDMV. Our results show that HW in Brazil are infected by CeMV with a relative prevalence of 4.3% (2/47) and demonstrate the suitability of using EBC and RT‐qPCR as a non‐invasive tool for CeMV survey in free‐ranging whales. This pioneer study provides scientific basis for non‐invasive CeMV monitoring of HW, suggests HW may play a role in the dynamics of CeMV and raises concern for potential conservation implications for this species.
While hemoplasma infections in domestic cats are well studied, almost no information is available on their occurrence in wild felids. The aims of the present study were to investigate wild felid ...species as possible reservoirs of feline hemoplasmas and the molecular characterization of the hemoplasma isolates. Blood samples from the following 257 wild felids were analyzed: 35 Iberian lynxes from Spain, 36 Eurasian lynxes from Switzerland, 31 European wildcats from France, 45 lions from Tanzania, and 110 Brazilian wild felids, including 12 wild felid species kept in zoos and one free-ranging ocelot. Using real-time PCR, feline hemoplasmas were detected in samples of the following species: Iberian lynx, Eurasian lynx, European wildcat, lion, puma, oncilla, Geoffroy's cat, margay, and ocelot. "Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum" was the most common feline hemoplasma in Iberian lynxes, Eurasian lynxes, Serengeti lions, and Brazilian wild felids, whereas "Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis" was the most prevalent in European wildcats; hemoplasma coinfections were frequently observed. Hemoplasma infection was associated with species and free-ranging status of the felids in all animals and with feline leukemia virus provirus-positive status in European wildcats. Phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA and the partial RNase P gene revealed that most hemoplasma isolates exhibit high sequence identities to domestic cat-derived isolates, although some isolates form different subclusters within the phylogenetic tree. In conclusion, 9 out of 15 wild felid species from three different continents were found to be infected with feline hemoplasmas. The effect of feline hemoplasma infections on wild felid populations needs to be further investigated.
Extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales has spread rapidly around the world, reaching remote areas. In this regard, wild birds that acquire ESBL producers from ...anthropogenically impacted areas can become reservoirs, contributing to further dissemination of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria categorized as critical priority pathogens to remote environments, during migration seasons. We have conducted a microbiological and genomic investigation on the occurrence and features of ESBL-producing Enterobacterales in wild birds from the remote Acuy Island, in the Gulf of Corcovado, at Chilean Patagonia. Strikingly, five ESBL-producing Escherichia coli were isolated from migratory and resident gulls. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analysis revealed the presence of two E. coli clones belonging to international sequence types (STs) ST295 and ST388, producing CTX-M-55 and CTX-M-1 ESBLs, respectively. Moreover, E. coli carried a wide resistome and virulome associated with human and animal infections. Phylogenomic analysis of global and publicly genomes of E. coli ST388 (n = 51) and ST295 (n = 85) clustered gulls isolates along to E. coli strains isolated from the environment, companion animal and livestock in the United States of America, within or close to the migratory route of Franklin's gull, suggesting a possible trans hemispheric movement of international clones of WHO critical priority ESBL producing pathogens.
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•Genomic evidences of gulls as reservoirs of MDR E. coli in Patagonia are presented.•MDR E. coli were isolated from migratory and resident gulls in Chiloé Archipelago.•E. coli sequence types ST295 and ST388 carried clinically relevant blaCTX-M genes.•Phylogenomic relatedness of international ST295 and ST388 lineages is highlighted.•The role of gulls in the spread of AMR into remote environments is discussed.
Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs)-producing Enterobacteriaceae have been classified as critical priority pathogens by the World Health Organization (WHO). We have conducted a microbiological and ...genomic surveillance study, in order to investigate the occurrence and features of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in wild birds admitted to a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre in Chile. This study reports for the first time the occurrence of highly virulent ESBL-producing Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica serovar Infantis in wild owls inhabiting the Southern Cone of America. Genomic analysis revealed a wide resistome (for antibiotics, heavy metals and disinfectants) among international lineages of E. coli belonging to ST345 and ST2705, and S. Infantis ST32, producing CTX-M-8 or CTX-M-65 ESBLs. On the other hand, wide virulome was associated with a highly virulent behaviour in the Galleria mellonella infection model. Worryingly, all these lineages have been previously reported in humans, supporting that wide resistome and virulome could be contributing to rapid adaptation and dissemination of these clones at the human-animal-environment interface. In summary, wild owls can constitute environmental reservoirs of international clones of ESBL (CTX-M)-producing E. coli and S. Infantis carrying a wide resistome and virulome, in the Southern Cone of America, with potential risks to human, animal and environmental health.
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•Occurrence of multidrug-resistant bacteria in wild birds has been investigated.•Colonization of wild owls by ESBL (CTX-M)-producing pathogens is highlighted.•International clones of E. coli (ST345, ST2705) and S. Infantis (ST32) were found.•WGS revealed wide resistomes (for antibiotics, heavy metals, QACs) and virulomes.•Potential risks to human, animal and environmental health are discussed.
Since the 1980s, cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) has caused mass mortality events worldwide. However, no epizootics had been recorded in the South Atlantic, until an unusual mortality event (UME) ...linked to Guiana dolphin cetacean morbillivirus (GD‐CeMV) began in Ilha Grande Bay, southeastern Brazil, in November 2017. In a five‐month period, the UME spread to neighboring Sepetiba Bay and accounted for the death of at least 277 Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis). Prevalence of morbillivirus positive dolphins, as estimated from RT‐PCR diagnostics, was 92.3% (24/26) in Ilha Grande Bay and 91.9% (57/62) in Sepetiba Bay. Females had higher mortality rates during the UME (1.5:1), in contrast with historical mortality data from both bays that showed a 2:1 male to female death ratio. Calf mortality rates also increased in both bays. These results suggest that females and calves were more vulnerable to morbilliviral infection. Herein, we discuss possible explanations for such sex‐biased death pattern during the UME and their implication for the conservation of endangered Guiana dolphins. We also speculate about the origin and spread of morbillivirus in the South Atlantic Ocean.
During November-December 2017, a mass die-off of Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) began in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Molecular and pathologic investigations on 20 animals indicated that cetacean ...morbillivirus played a major role. Our findings increase the knowledge on health and disease aspects of this endangered species.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, ODKLJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. (hemoplasmas) are uncultivable bacteria that infect mammals, including humans. We detected a potentially novel hemoplasma species in blood samples from wild river dolphins ...in the Amazon River Basin, Brazil. Further investigation could determine pathogenicity and zoonotic potential of the detected hemoplasma.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, ODKLJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The world currently faces severe biodiversity losses caused by anthropogenic activities such as deforestation, pollution, the introduction of exotic species, habitat fragmentation, and climate ...changes. Disease ecology in altered environments is still poorly understood. The golden‐headed lion tamarin (GHLT, Leontopithecus chrysomelas) is an endangered species that became invasive in an urban park in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The initially few invasive GHLT individuals became hundreds, adapted to living in proximity to humans and domestic animals. These GHLTs were captured as part of a conservation project; some animals were translocated to Bahia and some were kept in captivity. This study tested 593 GHLT for Leptospira serology; 100 and 95 GHLT for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) toLeptospira and hepatitis E virus genotype 3 (HEV‐3), respectively, and 101 familiar groups for PCR to viruses (rotavirus A, norovirus GI and GII, and HEV‐3). One animal had antibodies for Leptospira serovar Shermani and another for serovar Hebdomadis. One saprophyticLeptospira was found by the 16S PCR and sequencing. Viruses were not detected in samples tested. Findings suggest that the epidemiological importance of such pathogens in this GHLT population is either low or nonexistent. These data are important to understand the local disease ecology, as well as monitoring a translocation project, and to contribute data for species conservation.
The introduction of exotic golden‐headed lion tamarins (Leontopithecus chrysomelas) to an Atlantic forest area in close proximity to urban communities in Rio de Janeiro may raise the risk of disease transmission between these monkeys and human.
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