Speaker
Description
The role of petting zoos in bi-directional zoonotic disease transmission is well documented, however their potential role as reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is un-explored within the United Kingdom (UK). This study investigated AMR in Escherichia coli and coagulase-positive staphylococci (CoPS) isolated from mammals at eight UK centres. Faecal and skin samples were collected from 166 animals to recover E. coli and CoPS. Samples underwent enrichment culture, followed by plating on non-AMR-selective media (tryptone bile-x agar, mannitol salt agar) and selective media (ESBL ChromID, mannitol salt agar with 6 mg/L oxacillin). Susceptibility to eight antimicrobial classes was assessed using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion. Antimicrobial usage data from the last 12 months were obtained from 7/8 centres. A total of 145/166 faecal samples yielded E. coli, with an overall AMR prevalence of 42.4%, and 8.5% classified as multidrug-resistant. ESBL-producing E. coli were detected in five animals. CoPS were recovered from 54 skin swabs: Staphylococcus aureus (n=70), Staphylococcus intermedius group (SIG) (n=13), S. hyicus (n=1), with an AMR prevalence of 25.3% and a single MDR-SIG. No MRSA/MRSP were identified. Antimicrobial usage was positively correlated with AMR for E. coli (r=0.81, P=0.03) and CoPS (r=0.87, P=0.05). This study demonstrates for the first time the presence of AMR within bacteria isolated from UK petting zoo animals.
Keywords
Antimicrobial Resistance
Escherichia coli
Staphylococcus aureus
Staphylococcus pseudintermedius
Coagulase-positive staphylococci
Multidrug resistance
Extended-spectrum beta lactamase
Petting Zoo
MRSA
MRSP
| Registration ID | 129 |
|---|---|
| Professional Status of the submitter, who is also the speaker | Graduate Student |
Authors
External references
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