Wildlife Is Overlooked in the Epidemiology of Medically Important Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2019 Jul 25;63(8):e01167-19. doi: 10.1128/AAC.01167-19. Print 2019 Aug.

Abstract

Wild animals foraging in the human-influenced environment are colonized by bacteria with clinically important antibiotic resistance. The occurrence of such bacteria in wildlife is influenced by various biological, ecological, and geographical factors which have not yet been fully understood. More research focusing on the human-animal-environmental interface and using novel approaches is required to understand the role of wild animals in the transmission of antibiotic resistance and to assess potential risks for the public health.

Keywords: antibiotics; carbapenemase; environment; landfill; transmission; wild animal.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Wild / microbiology*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Bacteria / drug effects
  • Bacteria / enzymology
  • Bacteria / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • beta-Lactamases / genetics
  • beta-Lactamases / metabolism

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • beta-Lactamases
  • carbapenemase