Multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae ST70 harboring blaNDM in a migratory Penguin

TL;DR

A penguin rescued in Brazil was found to carry a multidrug-resistant bacteria strain, highlighting the role of migratory animals in spreading antibiotic resistance.

Contribution

Identifies a migratory penguin as a carrier of a multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae ST70 strain with blaNDM.

Findings

The penguin was infected with Klebsiella pneumoniae ST70, a strain linked to human hospital infections.

The bacteria carried resistance genes for carbapenems, beta-lactams, and quinolones.

The study suggests migratory penguins may spread antimicrobial-resistant bacteria across regions.

Abstract

The growing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance poses a global threat to human and animal health. In this study, we investigated the occurrence and genetic basis of antimicrobial resistance in a Magellanic Penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) rescued off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The penguin presented a bacterial infection, identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae. Molecular analysis revealed the presence of several resistance genes, including those that confer resistance to carbapenems, beta-lactams, quinolones, and other classes of antibiotics. The bacterial strain belonged to Sequence Type 70 (ST70), a clone previously associated with human nosocomial infections. This study highlights the potential of migratory penguins as vectors of antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms, emphasizing the need for a One Health approach to address the complex interaction between environmental factors, animal health, and human well-being. The findings underscore the urgency of implementing strategies to mitigate the spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria in natural and urban environments.

Figures