# | Rank | Similarity | Title + Abs. | Year | PMID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 3072 | 0 | 0.9925 | Faecal microbiota and antibiotic resistance genes in migratory waterbirds with contrasting habitat use. Migratory birds may have a vital role in the spread of antimicrobial resistance across habitats and regions, but empirical data remain scarce. We investigated differences in the gut microbiome composition and the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in faeces from four migratory waterbirds wintering in South-West Spain that differ in their habitat use. The white stork Ciconia ciconia and lesser black-backed gull Larus fuscus are omnivorous and opportunistic birds that use highly anthropogenic habitats such as landfills and urban areas. The greylag goose Anser anser and common crane Grus grus are herbivores and use more natural habitats. Fresh faeces from 15 individuals of each species were analysed to assess the composition of bacterial communities using 16S rRNA amplicon-targeted sequencing, and to quantify the abundance of the Class I integron integrase gene (intI1) as well as genes encoding resistance to sulfonamides (sul1), beta-lactams (bla(TEM), bla(KPC) and bla(NDM)), tetracyclines (tetW), fluoroquinolones (qnrS), and colistin (mcr-1) using qPCR. Bacterial communities in gull faeces were the richest and most diverse. Beta diversity analysis showed segregation in faecal communities between bird species, but those from storks and gulls were the most similar, these being the species that regularly feed in landfills. Potential bacterial pathogens identified in faeces differed significantly between bird species, with higher relative abundance in gulls. Faeces from birds that feed in landfills (stork and gull) contained a significantly higher abundance of ARGs (sul1, bla(TEM), and tetW). Genes conferring resistance to last resort antibiotics such as carbapenems (bla(KPC)) and colistin (mcr-1) were only observed in faeces from gulls. These results show that these bird species are reservoirs of antimicrobial resistant bacteria and suggest that waterbirds may disseminate antibiotic resistance across environments (e.g., from landfills to ricefields or water supplies), and thus constitute a risk for their further spread to wildlife and humans. | 2021 | 33872913 |
| 2604 | 1 | 0.9923 | Acquisition and dissemination of cephalosporin-resistant E. coli in migratory birds sampled at an Alaska landfill as inferred through genomic analysis. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacterial pathogens threatens global health, though the spread of AMR bacteria and AMR genes between humans, animals, and the environment is still largely unknown. Here, we investigated the role of wild birds in the epidemiology of AMR Escherichia coli. Using next-generation sequencing, we characterized cephalosporin-resistant E. coli cultured from sympatric gulls and bald eagles inhabiting a landfill habitat in Alaska to identify genetic determinants conferring AMR, explore potential transmission pathways of AMR bacteria and genes at this site, and investigate how their genetic diversity compares to isolates reported in other taxa. We found genetically diverse E. coli isolates with sequence types previously associated with human infections and resistance genes of clinical importance, including bla(CTX-M) and bla(CMY). Identical resistance profiles were observed in genetically unrelated E. coli isolates from both gulls and bald eagles. Conversely, isolates with indistinguishable core-genomes were found to have different resistance profiles. Our findings support complex epidemiological interactions including bacterial strain sharing between gulls and bald eagles and horizontal gene transfer among E. coli harboured by birds. Results suggest that landfills may serve as a source for AMR acquisition and/or maintenance, including bacterial sequence types and AMR genes relevant to human health. | 2018 | 29743625 |
| 2605 | 2 | 0.9920 | Satellite tracking of gulls and genomic characterization of faecal bacteria reveals environmentally mediated acquisition and dispersal of antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. Gulls (Larus spp.) have frequently been reported to carry Escherichia coli exhibiting antimicrobial resistance (AMR E. coli); however, the pathways governing the acquisition and dispersal of such bacteria are not well described. We equipped 17 landfill-foraging gulls with satellite transmitters and collected gull faecal samples longitudinally from four locations on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska to assess: (a) gull attendance and transitions between sites, (b) spatiotemporal prevalence of faecally shed AMR E. coli, and (c) genomic relatedness of AMR E. coli isolates among sites. We also sampled Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) harvested as part of personal-use dipnet fisheries at two sites to assess potential contamination with AMR E. coli. Among our study sites, marked gulls most commonly occupied the lower Kenai River (61% of site locations) followed by the Soldotna landfill (11%), lower Kasilof River (5%) and upper Kenai River (<1%). Gulls primarily moved between the Soldotna landfill and the lower Kenai River (94% of transitions among sites), which were also the two locations with the highest prevalence of AMR E. coli. There was relatively high spatial and temporal variability in AMR E. coli prevalence in gull faeces and there was no evidence of contamination on salmon harvested in personal-use fisheries. We identified E. coli sequence types and AMR genes of clinical importance, with some isolates possessing genes associated with resistance to as many as eight antibiotic classes. Our findings suggest that gulls acquire AMR E. coli at habitats with anthropogenic inputs and subsequent movements may represent pathways through which AMR is dispersed. | 2019 | 30980689 |
| 6696 | 3 | 0.9919 | The Role of Gulls as Reservoirs of Antibiotic Resistance in Aquatic Environments: A Scoping Review. The role of wildlife with long-range dispersal such as gulls in the global dissemination of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) across natural and anthropogenic aquatic environments remains poorly understood. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria have been detected in resident and migratory gulls worldwide for more than a decade, suggesting gulls as either sentinels of AMR pollution from anthropogenic sources or independent reservoirs that could maintain and disperse AMR across aquatic environments. However, confirming either of these roles remains challenging and incomplete. In this review, we present current knowledge on the geographic regions where AMR has been detected in gulls, the molecular characterization of resistance genes, and the evidence supporting the capacity of gulls to disperse AMR across regions or countries. We identify several limitations of current research to assess the role of gulls in the spread of AMR including most studies not identifying the source of AMR, few studies comparing bacteria isolated in gulls with other wild or domestic species, and almost no study performing longitudinal sampling over a large period of time to assess the maintenance and dispersion of AMR by gulls within and across regions. We suggest future research required to confirm the role of gulls in the global dispersion of AMR including the standardization of sampling protocols, longitudinal sampling using advanced satellite tracking, and whole-genome sequencing typing. Finally, we discuss the public health implications of the spread of AMR by gulls and potential solutions to limit its spread in aquatic environments. | 2021 | 34367104 |
| 1815 | 4 | 0.9919 | Clinically relevant antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli from black kites in southwestern Siberia: a genetic and phenotypic investigation. Wild birds including raptors can act as vectors of clinically relevant bacteria with antibiotic resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli in black kites (Milvus migrans) inhabiting localities in proximity to human-influenced environments in southwestern Siberia and investigate their virulence and plasmid contents. A total of 51 E. coli isolates mostly with multidrug resistance (MDR) profiles were obtained from cloacal swabs of 35 (64%, n = 55) kites. Genomic analyses of 36 whole genome sequenced E. coli isolates showed: (i) high prevalence and diversity of their antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and common association with ESBL/AmpC production (27/36, 75%), (ii) carriage of mcr-1 for colistin resistance on IncI2 plasmids in kites residing in proximity of two large cities, (iii) frequent association with class one integrase (IntI1, 22/36, 61%), and (iv) presence of sequence types (STs) linked to avian-pathogenic (APEC) and extra-intestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC). Notably, numerous isolates had significant virulence content. One E. coli with APEC-associated ST354 carried qnrE1 encoding fluoroquinolone resistance on IncHI2-ST3 plasmid, the first detection of such a gene in E. coli from wildlife. Our results implicate black kites in southwestern Siberia as reservoirs for antibiotic-resistant E. coli. It also highlights the existing link between proximity of wildlife to human activities and their carriage of MDR bacteria including pathogenic STs with significant and clinically relevant antibiotic resistance determinants. IMPORTANCE Migratory birds have the potential to acquire and disperse clinically relevant antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and their associated antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) through vast geographical regions. The opportunistic feeding behavior associated with some raptors including black kites and the growing anthropogenic influence on their natural habitats increase the transmission risk of multidrug resistance (MDR) and pathogenic bacteria from human and agricultural sources into the environment and wildlife. Thus, monitoring studies investigating antibiotic resistance in raptors may provide essential data that facilitate understanding the fate and evolution of ARB and ARGs in the environment and possible health risks for humans and animals associated with the acquisition of these resistance determinants by wildlife. | 2023 | 37310717 |
| 1811 | 5 | 0.9918 | Abundance of clinically relevant antimicrobial resistance genes in the golden jackal (Canis aureus) gut. The spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical One Health issue. Wildlife could act as reservoirs or vehicles of AMR bacteria (ARBs) and AMR genes (ARGs) but are relatively understudied. We sought to investigate clinically relevant ARGs in golden jackals (Canis aureus) thriving near human settlements in Israel. Fecal samples were collected from 111 jackals across four regions over a 10-month period. Various animal and spatio-temporal metadata were collected. Samples were analyzed by quantitative PCR (qPCR) for beta-lactamases (blaTEM, blaCTX-M15, and blaSHV), qnrS and int1. A subset of samples was subject to shotgun metagenomic sequencing followed by resistome and microbiome analyses. qPCR detected a high prevalence of ARGs, including beta-lactamases (blaTEM-1, 96.4%; blaCTX-M-15, 51.4%, blaSHV, 15.3%), fluoroquinolone resistance (qnrS, 87.4%), and class 1 integrons (Int1, 94.6%). The blaTEM-1 gene was found to be more prevalent in adult jackals compared to younger ones. Metagenomic analysis of a subset of samples revealed a diverse gut microbiome harboring a rich resistome with tetracycline resistance genes being the most prevalent. Metagenome-assembled genome analysis further identified several ARGs associated with clinically relevant bacteria. These findings highlight the potential role of golden jackals as reservoirs for AMR and emphasize the need for ongoing surveillance to better understand AMR transmission dynamics at the wildlife-human interface. IMPORTANCE: The research highlights the potential role of the golden jackals as reservoirs for antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The high prevalence of clinically relevant AMR genes in these jackals emphasizes the need for ongoing surveillance and monitoring to better understand AMR transmission dynamics at the wildlife-human interface. | 2025 | 39945541 |
| 6695 | 6 | 0.9918 | 'Disperse abroad in the land': the role of wildlife in the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been detected in the microbiota of many wildlife species, including long-distance migrants. Inadequately treated wastes from humans and livestock dosed with antimicrobial drugs are often assumed to be the main sources of AMR to wildlife. While wildlife populations closely associated with human populations are more likely to harbour clinically important AMR related to that found in local humans and livestock, AMR is still common in remote wildlife populations with little direct human influence. Most reports of AMR in wildlife are survey based and/or small scale, so researchers can only speculate on possible sources and sinks of AMR or the impact of wildlife AMR on clinical resistance. This lack of quantitative data on the flow of AMR genes and AMR bacteria across the natural environment could reflect the numerous AMR sources and amplifiers in the populated world. Ecosystems with relatively simple and well-characterized potential inputs of AMR can provide tractable, but realistic, systems for studying AMR in the natural environment. New tools, such as animal tracking technologies and high-throughput sequencing of resistance genes and mobilomes, should be integrated with existing methodologies to understand how wildlife maintains and disperses AMR. | 2016 | 27531155 |
| 3262 | 7 | 0.9918 | Characteristics of Wild Bird Resistomes and Dissemination of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Interconnected Bird-Habitat Systems Revealed by Similarity of bla(TEM) Polymorphic Sequences. Wild birds are known to harbor and discharge antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and their associated antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). However, assessments of their contribution to the dissemination of antibiotic resistance in the environment are limited to culture-dependent bacterial snapshots. Here, we present a high-throughput sequencing study that corroborates extensive ARG exchange between wild bird feces and their habitats and implies the need to scrutinize high-mobility birds as potential vectors for global propagation of ARGs. We characterized the resistome (281 ARGs) and microbiome of seven wild bird species and their terrestrial and aquatic habitats. The resistomes of bird feces were influenced by the microbial community structure, mobile genetic elements (MGEs), and residual antibiotics. We designated 33 ARGs found in more than 90% of the bird fecal samples as core ARGs of wild bird feces, among which 16 ARGs were shared as core ARGs in both wild bird feces and their habitats; these genes represent a large proportion of both the bird feces (35.0 ± 15.9%) and the environmental resistome (29.9 ± 21.4%). One of the most detected β-lactam resistance genes (bla(TEM), commonly harbored by multidrug resistant "superbugs") was used as molecular marker to demonstrate the high interconnectivity of ARGs between the microbiomes of wild birds and their habitats. Overall, this work provides a comprehensive analysis of the wild bird resistome and underscores the importance to consider genetic exchange between animals and the environment in the One Health approach. | 2022 | 35700319 |
| 3264 | 8 | 0.9917 | Comprehensive genome catalog analysis of the resistome, virulome and mobilome in the wild rodent gut microbiota. Wild rodent's gut microbiota serves as a crucial reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), where antimicrobial-resistant bacteria interact with mobile genetic elements (MGEs) to facilitate horizontal gene transfer. This study analyzed 12,255 gut-derived bacterial genomes from wild rodents to characterize the distribution of ARGs and virulence factor genes (VFGs), and to identify their bacterial hosts. A total of 8119 ARGs and 7626 VFGs were identified. The most prevalent ARGs conferred resistance to elfamycin, followed by those associated with multi-class antibiotic resistance. Enterobacteriaceae, particularly Escherichia coli, harbored the highest numbers of ARGs and VFGs. A strong correlation between the presence of MGEs, ARGs, and VFGs was observed, highlighting the potential for co-selection and mobilization of resistance and virulence traits. These findings underscore the importance of expanded surveillance to monitor and mitigate the risk of transmission of resistant and potentially pathogenic bacteria from wild rodents to human and animal populations. | 2025 | 40500303 |
| 3863 | 9 | 0.9916 | Antibiotic resistance in mucosal bacteria from high Arctic migratory salmonids. Two related salmonids, Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) and lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) sampled from the high Arctic region of Nunavut, Canada are anadromous fish, migrating annually from the same ice-covered freshwater waterbodies to spend summers in the marine waters of the Arctic Ocean. Microbiota associated with the skin-associated mucus undergo community change coincident with migration, and irrespective of this turnover, antibiotic resistance was detected in mixed bacterial cultures initiated with mucus samples. Although as expected most bacteria were unculturable, however, 5/7 isolates showed susceptibility to a panel of five common antibiotics. The fish were sampled under severe conditions and at remote locations far from human habitation. Regardless, two isolates, 'Carnobacterium maltaromaticum sm-2' and 'Arthrobacter citreus sm', showed multi-resistance to two or more antibiotics including ampicillin and streptomycin indicating multiple resistance genes. It is unknown if these fish bacteria have 'natural' resistance phenotypes or if resistance has been acquired. As result of these observations, we urge long-term monitoring of drug-resistant bacteria in the region and caution the assumption of a lack of drug-resistant organisms even in such extreme environments. | 2022 | 34109745 |
| 3099 | 10 | 0.9916 | Exploring bacterial diversity and antimicrobial resistance gene on a southern Brazilian swine farm. The bacterial composition of and the circulation of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in waste from Brazilian swine farms are still poorly understood. Considering that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the main threats to human, animal, and environmental health, the need to accurately assess the load of ARGs released into the environment is urgent. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize the microbiota in a swine farm in southern Brazil and the resistome in swine farm wastewater treated in a series of waste stabilization ponds (WSPs). Samples were collected from farm facilities and the surrounding environment, representing all levels of swine manure within the treatment system. Total metagenomic sequencing was performed on samples from WSPs, and 16S-rDNA sequencing was performed on all the collected samples. The results showed increased bacterial diversity in WSPs, characterized by the presence of Caldatribacteriota, Cloacimonadota, Desulfobacterota, Spirochaetota, Synergistota, and Verrucomicrobiota. Furthermore, resistance genes to tetracyclines, lincosamides, macrolides, rifamycin, phenicol, and genes conferring multidrug resistance were detected in WSPs samples. Interestingly, the most abundant ARG was linG, which confers resistance to the lincosamides. Notably, genes conferring macrolide (mphG and mefC) and rifamycin (rpoB_RIF) resistance appeared in greater numbers in the late WSPs. These drugs are among the high-priority antibiotic classes for human health. Moreover, certain mobile genetic elements (MGEs) were identified in the samples, notably tnpA, which was found in high abundance. These elements are of particular concern due to their potential to facilitate the dissemination of ARGs among bacteria. In summary, the results indicate that, in the studied farm, the swine manure treatment system could not eliminate ARGs and MGEs. Our results validate concerns about Brazil's swine production system. The misuse and overuse of antimicrobials during animal production must be avoided to mitigate AMR. | 2024 | 38740246 |
| 6589 | 11 | 0.9916 | Differential Overlap in Human and Animal Fecal Microbiomes and Resistomes in Rural versus Urban Bangladesh. Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) bear the largest mortality burden of antibiotic-resistant infections. Small-scale animal production and free-roaming domestic animals are common in many LMICs, yet data on zoonotic exchange of gut bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in low-income communities are sparse. Differences between rural and urban communities with regard to population density, antibiotic use, and cohabitation with animals likely influence the frequency of transmission of gut bacterial communities and ARGs between humans and animals. Here, we determined the similarity in gut microbiomes, using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, and resistomes, using long-read metagenomics, between humans, chickens, and goats in a rural community compared to an urban community in Bangladesh. Gut microbiomes were more similar between humans and chickens in the rural (where cohabitation is more common) than the urban community, but there was no difference for humans and goats in the rural versus the urban community. Human and goat resistomes were more similar in the urban community, and ARG abundance was higher in urban animals than rural animals. We identified substantial overlap of ARG alleles in humans and animals in both settings. Humans and chickens had more overlapping ARG alleles than humans and goats. All fecal hosts from the urban community and rural humans carried ARGs on chromosomal contigs classified as potentially pathogenic bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Campylobacter jejuni, Clostridioides difficile, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. These findings provide insight into the breadth of ARGs circulating within human and animal populations in a rural compared to urban community in Bangladesh. IMPORTANCE While the development of antibiotic resistance in animal gut microbiomes and subsequent transmission to humans has been demonstrated in intensive farming environments and high-income countries, evidence of zoonotic exchange of antibiotic resistance in LMIC communities is lacking. This research provides genomic evidence of overlap of antibiotic resistance genes between humans and animals, especially in urban communities, and highlights chickens as important reservoirs of antibiotic resistance. Chicken and human gut microbiomes were more similar in rural Bangladesh, where cohabitation is more common. Incorporation of long-read metagenomics enabled characterization of bacterial hosts of resistance genes, which has not been possible in previous culture-independent studies using only short-read sequencing. These findings highlight the importance of developing strategies for combatting antibiotic resistance that account for chickens being reservoirs of ARGs in community environments, especially in urban areas. | 2022 | 35862660 |
| 6590 | 12 | 0.9915 | Genomic epidemiology of Escherichia coli: antimicrobial resistance through a One Health lens in sympatric humans, livestock and peri-domestic wildlife in Nairobi, Kenya. BACKGROUND: Livestock systems have been proposed as a reservoir for antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria and AMR genetic determinants that may infect or colonise humans, yet quantitative evidence regarding their epidemiological role remains lacking. Here, we used a combination of genomics, epidemiology and ecology to investigate patterns of AMR gene carriage in Escherichia coli, regarded as a sentinel organism. METHODS: We conducted a structured epidemiological survey of 99 households across Nairobi, Kenya, and whole genome sequenced E. coli isolates from 311 human, 606 livestock and 399 wildlife faecal samples. We used statistical models to investigate the prevalence of AMR carriage and characterise AMR gene diversity and structure of AMR genes in different host populations across the city. We also investigated household-level risk factors for the exchange of AMR genes between sympatric humans and livestock. RESULTS: We detected 56 unique acquired genes along with 13 point mutations present in variable proportions in human and animal isolates, known to confer resistance to nine antibiotic classes. We find that AMR gene community composition is not associated with host species, but AMR genes were frequently co-located, potentially enabling the acquisition and dispersal of multi-drug resistance in a single step. We find that whilst keeping livestock had no influence on human AMR gene carriage, the potential for AMR transmission across human-livestock interfaces is greatest when manure is poorly disposed of and in larger households. CONCLUSIONS: Findings of widespread carriage of AMR bacteria in human and animal populations, including in long-distance wildlife species, in community settings highlight the value of evidence-based surveillance to address antimicrobial resistance on a global scale. Our genomic analysis provided an in-depth understanding of AMR determinants at the interfaces of One Health sectors that will inform AMR prevention and control. | 2022 | 36482440 |
| 3958 | 13 | 0.9915 | Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria Carriage in Rodents According to Habitat Anthropization. It is increasingly suggested that the dynamics of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in the wild are mostly anthropogenically driven, but the spatial and temporal scales at which these phenomena occur in landscapes are only partially understood. Here, we explore this topic by studying antimicrobial resistance in the commensal bacteria from micromammals sampled at 12 sites from a large heterogenous landscape (the Carmargue area, Rhone Delta) along a gradient of anthropization: natural reserves, rural areas, towns, and sewage-water treatment plants. There was a positive relationship between the frequency of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and the level of habitat anthropization. Although low, antimicrobial resistance was also present in natural reserves, even in the oldest one, founded in 1954. This study is one of the first to support the idea that rodents in human-altered habitats are important components of the environmental pool of resistance to clinically relevant antimicrobials and also that a "One Health" approach is required to assess issues related to antimicrobial resistance dynamics in anthropized landscapes. | 2023 | 37140742 |
| 6605 | 14 | 0.9915 | Antimicrobial Resistance in African Great Apes. BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Antibiotic-resistant bacteria pose a significant global public health threat that demands serious attention. The proliferation of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is primarily attributed to the overuse of antibiotics in humans, livestock, and the agro-industry. However, it is worth noting that antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs) can be found in all ecosystems, even in environments where antibiotics have never been utilized. African great apes (AGAs) are our closest living relatives and are known to be susceptible to many of the same pathogens (and other microorganisms) as humans. AGAs could therefore serve as sentinels for human-induced AMR spread into the environment. They can potentially also serve as reservoirs for AMR. AGAs inhabit a range of environments from remote areas with little anthropogenic impact, over habitats that are co-used by AGAs and humans, to captive settings with close human-animal contacts like zoos and sanctuaries. This provides opportunities to study AMR in relation to human interaction. This review examines the literature on AMR in AGAs, identifying knowledge gaps. RESULTS: Of the 16 articles reviewed, 13 focused on wild AGAs in habitats with different degrees of human presence, 2 compared wild and captive apes, and 1 study tested captive apes alone. Ten studies included humans working with or living close to AGA habitats. Despite different methodologies, all studies detected AMR in AGAs. Resistance to beta-lactams was the most common (36%), followed by resistance to aminoglycosides (22%), tetracyclines (15%), fluoroquinolones (10%), sulphonamides (5%), trimethoprim (5%), macrolide (3%), phenicoles (2%) and fosfomycin (1%). CONCLUSIONS: While several studies suggest a correlation between increased human contact and higher AMR in AGAs, resistance was also found in relatively pristine habitats. While AGAs clearly encounter bacteria resistant to diverse antibiotics, significant gaps remain in understanding the underlying processes. Comparative studies using standardized methods across different sites would enhance our understanding of the origin and distribution of AMR in AGAs. | 2024 | 39766531 |
| 3168 | 15 | 0.9915 | Mangrove Ecosystems as Reservoirs of Antibiotic Resistance Genes: A Narrative Review. Background: Mangrove ecosystems are critical coastal environments providing ecological services and acting as buffers between terrestrial and marine systems. Rising antibiotic use in aquaculture and coastal agriculture has led to the dissemination of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in these habitats. Aim: This narrative review aims to synthesize current knowledge on the prevalence, diversity, and environmental drivers of ARGs in mangrove ecosystems, highlighting their role as reservoirs and the potential for horizontal gene transfer. Methods: Studies published up to September 2024 were identified through PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria focused on ARGs and ARB in mangrove sediments, water, and associated biota. Data on ARG prevalence, microbial community composition, detection methods, and environmental factors were extracted and narratively synthesized. Results: Seventeen studies from Asia, South America, and Africa were included. ARGs conferring resistance to tetracyclines, sulfonamides, β-lactams, and multidrug resistance were found to be widespread, particularly near aquaculture and urban-influenced areas. Metagenomic analyses revealed diverse resistomes with frequent mobile genetic elements, indicating high potential for horizontal gene transfer. Environmental factors, including sediment type, organic matter, and salinity, influenced ARG abundance and distribution. Conclusions: Mangrove ecosystems act as both reservoirs and natural buffers for ARGs. Sustainable aquaculture practices, continuous environmental monitoring, and integrated One Health approaches are essential to mitigate ARG dissemination in these sensitive coastal habitats. | 2025 | 41148714 |
| 7372 | 16 | 0.9915 | Variability of faecal microbiota and antibiotic resistance genes in flocks of migratory gulls and comparison with the surrounding environment. Gulls commonly rely on human-generated waste as their primary food source, contributing to the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and their resistance genes, both locally and globally. Our understanding of this process remains incomplete, particularly in relation to its potential interaction with surrounding soil and water. We studied the lesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscus, as a model to examine the spatial variation of faecal bacterial communities, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) and its relationship with the surrounding water and soil. We conducted sampling campaigns within a connectivity network of different flocks of gulls moving across functional units (FUs), each of which represents a module of highly interconnected patches of habitats used for roosting and feeding. The FUs vary in habitat use, with some gulls using more polluted sites (notably landfills), while others prefer more natural environments (e.g., wetlands or beaches). Faecal bacterial communities in gulls from flocks that visit and spend more time in landfills exhibited higher richness and diversity. The faecal microbiota showed a high compositional overlap with bacterial communities in soil. The overlap was greater when compared to landfill (11%) than to wetland soils (6%), and much lower when compared to bacterial communities in surrounding water (2% and 1% for landfill and wetland water, respectively). The relative abundance of ARGs and MGEs were similar between FUs, with variations observed only for specific families of ARGs and MGEs. When exploring the faecal carriage of ARGs and MGEs in bird faeces relative to soil and water compartments, gull faeces were enriched in ARGs classified as High-Risk. Our results shed light on the complex dynamics of antibiotic resistance spread in wild bird populations, providing insights into the interactions among gull movement and feeding behavior, habitat characteristics, and the dissemination of antibiotic resistance determinants across environmental reservoirs. | 2024 | 39019307 |
| 5279 | 17 | 0.9915 | Occurrence of integrons and antibiotic resistance genes in cryoconite and ice of Svalbard, Greenland, and the Caucasus glaciers. The prevalence of integrons and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) is a serious threat for public health in the new millennium. Although commonly detected in sites affected by strong anthropogenic pressure, in remote areas their occurrence, dissemination, and transfer to other ecosystems is poorly recognized. Remote sites are considered as a benchmark for human-induced contamination on Earth. For years glaciers were considered pristine, now they are regarded as reservoirs of contaminants, thus studies on contamination of glaciers, which may be released to other ecosystems, are highly needed. Therefore, in this study we evaluated the occurrence and frequency of clinically relevant ARGs and resistance integrons in the genomes of culturable bacteria and class 1 integron-integrase gene copy number in the metagenome of cryoconite, ice and supraglacial gravel collected on two Arctic (South-West Greenland and Svalbard) and two High Mountain (the Caucasus) glaciers. Altogether, 36 strains with intI1 integron-integrase gene were isolated. Presence of class 1 integron-integrase gene was also recorded in metagenomic DNA from all sampling localities. The mean values of relative abundance of intI1 gene varied among samples and ranged from 0.7% in cryoconite from Adishi Glacier (the Caucasus) to 16.3% in cryoconite from Greenland. Moreover, antibiotic-resistant strains were isolated from all regions. Genes conferring resistance to β-lactams (bla(SHV), bla(TEM), bla(OXA), bla(CMY)), fluoroquinolones (qepA, qnrC), and chloramphenicol (cat, cmr) were detected in the genomes of bacterial isolates. | 2020 | 32059297 |
| 6693 | 18 | 0.9915 | Antimicrobial resistance among clinically significant bacteria in wildlife: An overlooked one health concern. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a critical global health challenge. However, the significance of AMR is not limited to humans and domestic animals but extends to wildlife and the environment. Based on the analysis of > 200 peer-reviewed papers, this review provides comprehensive and current insights into the detection of clinically significant antimicrobial resistant bacteria and resistance genes in wild mammals, birds and reptiles worldwide. The review also examines the overlooked roles of wildlife in AMR emergence and transmission. In wildlife, AMR is potentially driven by anthropogenic activity, agricultural and environmental factors, and natural evolution. This review highlights the significance of AMR surveillance in wildlife, identifies species and geographical foci and gaps, and demonstrates the value of multifaceted One Health strategies if further escalation of AMR globally is to be curtailed. | 2024 | 38906487 |
| 7656 | 19 | 0.9914 | The host-specific resistome in environmental feces of Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) and leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis) revealed by metagenomic sequencing. Investigation of feces of wildlife, which is considered as reservoirs, melting pots, vectors and secondary sources of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), provides insights into the risks and ecology of ARGs in the environment. Here, we investigated microbiomes, virulence factor genes (VFGs) of bacterial pathogens, and resistomes in environmental feces of Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) and leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis) using shotgun metagenome sequencing. As expected, the taxonomic compositions of bacteria were significantly different between the animals. Importantly, we found that the compositions of ARGs were also significantly different between the animals. We detected ARGs including iri, tetA(P), tetB(P), floR, sulII, strA, strB, tetW and tetY. Some of them were significantly more abundant in either of the host animals, such as strA, strB and tetY in Eurasian otters, and tetA(P), tetW and iri in leopard cats. We also found that some ARGs were selectively correlated to particular VFGs-related bacteria, such as tetA(P) and tetB(P) to Clostridium, and iri to Mycobacterium. We also found that there were positive correlations between Acinetobacter and ARGs of multiple antimicrobial classes. The host-specific resistomes and VFGs-related bacteria may be due to differences in the host's gut microbiome, diet and/or habitat, but further investigation is needed. Overall, this study provided important baseline information about the resistomes of the wildlife in Korea, which may help the conservation of these endangered species and assessment of human health risks posed by ARGs and bacterial pathogens from wildlife. | 2022 | 35399616 |