Gabriel Siqueira dos Santos

Staphylococcus epidermidis is an opportunistic bacterium frequently involved in healthcare-associated infections and has become increasingly relevant in One Health when associated with methicillin resistance profile. Despite its significance in human medicine, the circulation of S. epidermidis in wildlife still poorly reported. In this study, we communicate the isolation and genomic characterization of a multidrug-resistant S. epidermidis Sequence Type 280 isolated from a skin lesion in an illegally traded wild rufous-bellied thrush ( Turdus rufiventris ). Antimicrobial susceptibility tests and genome sequencing revealed extensive multidrug resistance, including resistance to methicillin, related to the presence of antimicrobial resistance ( mecA ; blaZ ; aadD ; aac(6′) − aph(2′′); fosB; erm(C) and rpoB (D471E/I527M)). This finding provides compelling evidence for the global dissemination and ecological plasticity of this clone. Ultimately, the detection of methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis in a wild bird highlights the potential for urban environments to harbor and disseminate antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, highlighting the need to incorporate wildlife monitoring into One Health surveillance models.

Illegal wild animal trade and possession represents a threat to One Health due to the pathogens exchange between wild animals and humans. We report the detection and genomic characterization of a multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli strain (MP02) colonizing a capuchin monkey ( Sapajus sp.) rescued from illegal possession. MP02 exhibited ExPEC-related genes, harbored an IncHI2-ST1 plasmid composed of quinolones, aminoglycosides, and sulfonamides resistance genes, besides the extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-encoding gene bla _CTX-M-15 located in a conserved Tn3-like transposon. To the author’s knowledge, this is the first report and genomic analysis of a MDR bacterium isolated from an illegally traded non-human primate.

Wild animals often play a role in the transmission of zoonotic pathogens. Among the wild mammals of South America, ring-tailed coatis ( Nasua nasua ) can present a high frequency of anti- Leptospira antibodies and carry Leptospira spp. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of serum anti- Leptospira antibodies and perform the molecular identification of Leptospira spp. in ring-tailed coatis living in the Tietê River Ecological Park, in southeastern Brazil. Blood and urine samples were obtained from ring-tailed coatis. The serum was tested using the Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT). Urine was cultured in semi-solid Ellinghausen–McCullough–Johnson–Harris medium. The inoculum was cultivated at 28 °C and monitored over six weeks. Total DNA from the blood and urine samples was extracted, and the 16 S rRNA gene and lipL32 were searched by PCR. Of 192 animals, 36 (18.75%) had positive serum samples in the MAT. The most frequent serogroups in MAT were Grippotyphosa (11.46%; 22/192), Autumnalis (7.81%; 15/192) and Cynopteri (2.60%; 5/192). A total of 116 urine samples were obtained. None of the Leptospira spp. were isolated, twelve samples were positive for the 16 S rRNA gene (10.34%), and four were positive for the lipL32 gene (3.4%). These results indicate a high frequency of serum anti- Leptospira spp. antibodies in coatis from the Tietê River Ecological Park and highlight the possibility of their potential role as carriers of pathogenic Leptospira spp. in urine.

Antimicrobial resistance significantly threatens human, animal, and environmental health, necessitating coordinated surveillance and intervention strategies. This study aimed to assess the presence of antimicrobial-resistant Staphylococcaceae on high-contact surfaces within the dermatology sector of a Brazilian veterinary teaching hospital. Thirty-eight high-touched surfaces were swabbed. Staphylococcus spp. was isolated from two sampling moments – after cleaning (M1) and after attendance activities (M2) using mannitol salt agar. Isolates were identified using MALDI-TOF, and an antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) was performed using a disk-diffusion test. Results were described as absolute and relative frequencies. Antimicrobial susceptibility results were compared to the sampling moment and sampling group using the Chi-square or Fisher’s Exact tests. The correlation between PCR positivity and MDR was evaluated. Eighty-seven Staphylococcaceae strains were isolated from surfaces, including examination tables, furniture, and cleaning facilities. The most frequently identified species were S. schleiferi, S. pseudintermedius, and S. simulans. AST revealed that 80.5% of the isolates were resistant to at least one drug, with penicillin resistance (71.3%) being the most prevalent. Resistance was also observed against gentamicin (26.4%), erythromycin (25.3%), and tetracycline (13.8%), as well as other clinically relevant antimicrobials. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates were also detected in 24.1% of the samples, mostly in areas with a lot of contact, like exam tables for patients. The mecA gene was identified in 16.7% of tested isolates, while the blaZ gene was found in 19.6% of penicillin-resistant isolates. These findings highlight the urgent need for enhanced hospital infection control measures to prevent the spread of antimicrobial-resistant Staphylococcaceae. Considering the role of hospital environmental settings as pathways for acquiring MDR bacterial pathogens, biosecurity policies, antimicrobial stewardship programs, and strengthened epidemiological surveillance should be implemented in veterinary hospitals to mitigate antimicrobial resistance and reduce cross-contamination risks between animals, staff, and the hospital environment.

Invasive species represent a significant threat to ecological balance and the maintenance of native populations. Besides, these have been associated with the emergence of pathogens of public health importance, including multidrug-resistant bacteria. This study aimed to screen and describe the antimicrobial resistance profile of clinically important Enterobacteriaceae species isolated from whistling frogs (Eleutherodactylus johnstonei), an invasive anuran species in São Paulo, Brazil. Clinically relevant Enterobacteriaceae strains (n = 35) were isolated from oral and skin swabs of 19 whistling frogs and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility and antimicrobial resistance encoding genes. Resistance to amoxicillin + clavulanate and cefoxitin were the most frequent (16.67%; 4/24), followed by cefotaxime (5.71%; 2/35), ceftriaxone (2.86%; 1/35), and tetracycline (2.86%; 1/35). Among the antimicrobial resistance genes screened, bla_{CTX−M group 8}, bla_TEM, and bla_CMY were identified. The whole genome of the bla_{CTX−M group 8}-positive E. coli strain was assessed and confirmed bla_CTX−M−8 presence and phylogenetic analysis. Given the synanthropic behavior of whistling frogs, these amphibians may act as carriers of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria.

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) are pathogens associated with gastrointestinal illnesses. Dogs and cats can harbor EPEC, and antimicrobial resistance may impair necessary treatments. This study characterized E. coli strains from dogs and cats, focusing on phylogroup classification, virulence factors, and antimicrobial resistance profiles. Ninety-seven E. coli isolates from fecal samples of 31 dogs and 3 cats were obtained from a private diagnostic laboratory in Botucatu, Brazil, from March to October 2021. The antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed using the disk diffusion method. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to screen for bla_CTX-M and genes encoding virulence factors, as well as to classify the isolates into phylogroups. Twenty isolates were positive for intimin encoding gene eae and, consequently, these isolates were classified as EPEC (20.62%). Notably, 5.1% (5/97) of the isolates exhibited extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) production and 13.4% (13/97) were identified as multidrug-resistant bacteria. Phylogroups A and B2 were the most prevalent, comprising 29.9% (29/97) and 26.8% (26/97) of the bacterial isolates, respectively. This characterization highlights the prevalence of EPEC in domestic animals, emphasizing the potential risk they pose to public health and highlighting the urgency of responsible antimicrobial use in veterinary practices and the important role of laboratories in the surveillance of pathogenic multidrug-resistant bacteria.

A one-year-old female miniature goat was presented to an emergency service after calving a dead goatling. Physical and ultrasonographic examination revealed the presence of a viable fetus; therefore, the goat was submitted to an emergency cesarean section. In the postoperative period, the animal had septic peritonitis caused by Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus casseliflavus. Both bacterial strains showed contrasting antimicrobial resistance profiles. Laparohysterectomy and abdominal cavity lavage were performed, but, once the animal had adhesions and necrotic lesions in abdominal organs, euthanasia was executed. A post-mortem examination revealed fibrino-necrotic septic peritonitis secondary to uterine rupture. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first detailed report of polymicrobial septic peritonitis in a miniature goat and the first report of septic peritonitis caused by E. faecium and E. casseliflavus.