Hiding in plain sight—wildlife as a neglected reservoir and pathway for the spread of antimicrobial resistance: a narrative review

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance represents a global health problem, with infections due to pathogenic antimicrobial resistant bacteria (ARB) predicted to be the most frequent cause of human mortality by 2050. The phenomenon of antimicrobial resistance has spread to and across all ecological niches, and particularly in livestock used for food production with antimicrobials consumed in high volumes. Similarly, hospitals and other healthcare facilities are recognized as significant “hotspots” of ARB and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs); however, over the past decade, new and previously overlooked ecological niches are emerging as hidden reservoirs of ARB/ARGs. Increasingly extensive and intensive industrial activities, degradation of natural environments, burgeoning food requirements, urbanization, and global climatic change have all dramatically affected the evolution and proliferation of ARB/ARGs, which now stand at extremely concerning ecological levels. While antimicrobial resistant bacteria and genes as they originate and emanate from livestock and human hosts have been extensively studied over the past 30 years, numerous ecological niches have received considerably less attention. In the current descriptive review, the authors have sought to highlight the importance of wildlife as sources/reservoirs, pathways and receptors of ARB/ARGs in the environment, thus paving the way for future primary research in these areas.

Genetic heterogeneity and predominance of blaCTX-M-15 in cefotaxime-resistant Enterobacteriaceae isolates colonizing hospitalized children in Tunisia

“…For selected non-B2 E. coli strains, high diversity of ST lineages was detected as follows: ST10 (n = 2), ST69 (n = 1), ST117 (n = 1), ST155 (n = 1), ST224 (n = 1), ST410 (n = 1) and ST906 (n = 1). Interestingly, the CTX-M-producing E. coli ST10, ST155, ST224 and ST410, which were previously reported in Tunisia from various origins (Sghaier et al 2019;Hassen et al 2021), are among the global high-risk clonal lineages linked to the wide spread of CTX-M-1 and CTX-M-15 ESBLs (Woodford et al 2011;Abbassi et al 2022).…”

Foodborne Pathogens and Antimicrobial Resistance in Ethiopia: An Urgent Call for Action on “One Health”

“…76 Antimicrobial resistance is driven by complex interacting factors that can be described as a resistance network or interface of a multifaceted One Health System; 77 which links clinical factors (human and animal health) and environmental factors (persistence of antimicrobial agents and AMR microorganisms in soil and food). 78 , 79 Besides the indiscriminate use of antibiotics in human health, animal husbandry and agriculture, unsanitary food conditions can upset the microbial balance in favor of resistant bacteria through selective pressure. According to several studies conducted around the world, food is one of the potential sources of antibiotic resistance.…”

“…According to several studies conducted around the world, food is one of the potential sources of antibiotic resistance. 79 , 80 The rise of antibiotic-resistant pathogens in food highlights the common requirement that these foods be cooked before consumption.…”

“… 83 In terms of transmission, resistant bacteria can be shared between humans, animals, and the environment through human-to-human contact (open community, patient contact, family transmission, workplace contact, traveler’s), human-sanitary contact (occupational contact with animals, consumption or preparation of food), animal-animal contact (involving agriculture or the movement of wild or domestic animals) and human-environment or animal-environment interactions. 79 It is important to note that we do not know the aforementioned selection and transmission factors that contribute to the increasing prevalence of AMR and the increasing incidence of AMR diseases. AMR selection and transfer is not a completely independent process.…”

Occurrence of High-Risk Clonal Lineages ST58, ST69, ST224, and ST410 among Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli Isolated from Healthy Free-Range Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) in a Rural Region in Tunisia

“…Antimicrobial resistance has emerged as a critical public health challenge globally. It has been associated with hospital (nosocomial) environments; however, antimicrobialresistant bacteria (ARB) are increasingly reported from livestock, animal-derived food products, companion animals, wild animals, aquatic environments, and agricultural and Genes 2023, 14, 875 2 of 13 nonagricultural soils [1][2][3] Many opportunistic and pathogenic Enterobacterales species, including Escherichia coli, have been reported as important reservoirs for multiple genes encoding resistance to clinically relevant antibiotics, such as β-lactams, fluoroquinolones, and polymixins (colistin) [4,5]. The major mechanism for β-lactam resistance is the production of β-lactamase enzymes, particularly extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs), AmpC β-lactamases (AmpC), and carbapenemases (CAP) [5,6].…”