| Summary: | Third generation cephalosporin-resistant (3GCR) <i>Enterobacterales</i> are known to be prevalent in Madagascar, with high colonization or infection rates in particular in Madagascan patients. Extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) have been reported to be the predominant underlying resistance mechanism in human isolates. So far, little is known on antimicrobial resistance and its molecular determinants in <i>Enterobacterales</i> and other bacteria causing enteric colonization of Madagascan wild animals. To address this topic, swabs from 49 animal stool droppings were collected in the Madagascan Tsimanapesotsa National Park and assessed by cultural growth of bacterial microorganisms on elective media. In addition to 7 <i>Acinetobacter</i> spp., a total of 31 <i>Enterobacterales</i> growing on elective agar for <i>Enterobacterales</i> could be isolated and subjected to whole genome sequencing. <i>Enterobacter</i> spp. was the most frequently isolated genus, and AmpC-type beta-lactamases were the quantitatively dominating molecular resistance mechanism. In contrast, the <i>bla</i><sub>CTX-M-15</sub> gene, which has repeatedly been associated with 3GC-resistance in Madagascan <i>Enterobacterales</i> from humans, was detected in a single <i>Escherichia coli</i> isolate only. The identification of the fosfomycin-resistance gene <i>fosA</i> in a high proportion of isolates is concerning, as fosfomycin is increasingly used to treat infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. In conclusion, the proof-of-principle assessment indicated a high colonization rate of resistant bacteria in stool droppings of Madagascan wild animals with a particular focus on 3GCR <i>Enterobacterales</i>. Future studies should confirm these preliminary results in a more systematic way and assess the molecular relationship of animal and human isolates to identify potential routes of transmission.
|
|---|