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Simple Summary: The inappropriate use of antibiotics has favored the adaptation of bacteria resistant to these drugs and is a growing problem in the 21st century. It may affect not only the health of humans but also domestic and wild animals. In this study, we investigated the risk factors and the presence of one type of antibacterial resistance present in the feces of domestic animals and free-living birds in the State of Piauí, Brazil. A total of 59 samples of the 387 (15.2%) analyzed showed bacterial resistance. Resistant bacteria were found in free-living animals that had never been treated with any medication and in domestic animals raised for subsistence. We hypothesize that the lack of access to veterinary care and information regarding antimicrobial therapy, along with access to antimicrobials without medical prescription, favors the inadequate use of antimicrobials in Piauí and, thus, contamination of the environment. We recommend an educational outreach platform and the development of public health policies that support the responsible use of antimicrobials in Piauí and other Brazilian states. The use, misuse, and overuse of antimicrobials is one of the main public health threats of the 21st century. We investigated the risk factor of the presence of extended-spectrum, cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacterales in feces of non-domestic and domestic birds and other domestic animals in Piauí State, northeast Brazil. We collected a total of 387 cloacal and rectal swab samples of free-living birds, domestic birds, and domestic mammals in five municipalities: Amarante, Água Branca, Lagoa Alegre, Parnaíba, and Teresina. A total of 59/387 (15.2%) of these samples harbored extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales. Using the MALDI-TOF technique, we identified fifty-seven samples as Escherichia coli and two samples as Klebsiella pneumoniae. Teresina and Parnaíba had the highest prevalence of animals with resistant bacteria (32.1% and 27.1%, respectively) and highest exposure risk factor (OR of 16.06 and 8.58, respectively, and p < 0.001 for all). Multidrug-resistant, ESBL-producing Enterobacterales were observed in 72.8% of the samples (43/59). For the free-living birds, the positive samples belonged to a great kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus) and a semipalmated sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) in migratory and resident species, respectively. For domestic animals, the swine samples showed the highest prevalence of antimicrobial resistance. The lack of access to veterinary care and information regarding antimicrobial therapy, along with the easy access to antimicrobials without medical prescription, favors the inadequate use of antimicrobials in Piauí. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We surveyed the presence of herpesvirus, flavivirus, and coronavirus in 20 Magnificent Frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens) from the protected Alcatrazes Island, Alcatrazes archipelago, Brazil. One adult female was positive for herpesvirus (5% occurrence; 95% confidence interval –5.5 to 15.5), whereas none of the samples were PCR-positive for flavivirus or coronavirus. The obtained herpesvirus was highly similar to the one responsible for annual mortality of Magnificent Frigatebird chicks on Grand Connétable Island, French Guiana; however, no episodes of mass mortality have been recorded in the birds from Alcatrazes. Our findings indicate that this virus may be widespread in Magnificent Frigatebirds of the southwestern Atlantic. The observed differences in morbidity and mortality may be the result of basal immunosuppression of the birds from French Guiana related to environmental or nutritional conditions. The Alcatrazes archipelago sustains the largest frigatebird breeding colony of the southern Atlantic; future monitoring studies with larger sampling sizes are needed to further determine the epidemiologic relevance of the detected herpesviruses, as well as other viruses (e.g., flaviviruses, coronaviruses, avian influenza virus), in seabirds of Alcatrazes Island. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) are a severe threat to wildlife biodiversity worldwide and most vertebrate species are at risk. However, there is a considerable knowledge gap on the traumatic features and potential patterns of MVCs in wildlife. We investigated traumatic injuries (TIs) caused by MVCs (MVCs-TIs) in 430 neotropical wild mammals representing 44 species from Brazil. Injuries were classified topographically into four categories: abdomen/pelvis (AP), chest (TX), head/neck (HN) and extremities (EX). We also determined the prevalence of pathological changes in MVC fatalities. AP (n = 381; 89%) was the most affected body segment, followed by TX (n = 372; 87%), HN (n = 363; 84%) and EX (n = 288; 67%). The most prevalent gross pathological findings were single or multiple bone fractures (n = 397; 92%), visceral organ rupture (n = 371; 86%), haemothorax (n = 220; 51%) and pulmonary haemorrhage (n = 212; 49%). Microscopically, pulmonary oedema (n = 324; 82%) and haemorrhage (n = 272; 69%) were the most prevalent lesions. No distinct TI patterns were evident across the various taxonomic groups, although trends were found in some taxa, such as armadillos. These results may help clinicians performing emergency care on MVC wildlife patients and may be of value in pathological and forensic investigations where a MVC has been deemed a likely contributory factor to death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of mobile mcr genes mediating resistance to colistin is a critical public health issue that has hindered the treatment of serious infections caused by multidrug‐resistant pathogens in humans and other animals. We report the emergence of the mcr‐9.1 gene in a polymyxin‐resistant extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase (ESBL)‐producing Enterobacter kobei infecting a free‐living franciscana dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei), threatened with extinction in South America. Genomic analysis confirmed the presence of genes conferring resistance to clinically relevant β‐lactam [blaCTX‐M‐15, blaACT‐9, blaOXA‐1 and blaTEM‐1B], aminoglycoside [aac(3)‐IIa, aadA1, aph(3'')‐Ib and aph(6)‐Id], trimethoprim [dfrA14], tetracycline [tetA], quinolone [aac(6')‐Ib‐cr and qnrB1], fosfomycin [fosA], sulphonamide [sul2] and phenicol [catA1 and catB3] antibiotics. The identification of mcr‐9.1 in a CTX‐M‐15‐producing pathogen infecting a critically endangered animal is of serious concern, which should be interpreted as a sign of further spread of critical priority pathogens and their resistance genes in threatened ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs)-producing Enterobacteriaceae have been classified as critical priority pathogens by the World Health Organization (WHO). We have conducted a microbiological and genomic surveillance study, in order to investigate the occurrence and features of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in wild birds admitted to a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre in Chile. This study reports for the first time the occurrence of highly virulent ESBL-producing Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica serovar Infantis in wild owls inhabiting the Southern Cone of America. Genomic analysis revealed a wide resistome (for antibiotics, heavy metals and disinfectants) among international lineages of E. coli belonging to ST345 and ST2705, and S. Infantis ST32, producing CTX-M-8 or CTX-M-65 ESBLs. On the other hand, wide virulome was associated with a highly virulent behaviour in the Galleria mellonella infection model. Worryingly, all these lineages have been previously reported in humans, supporting that wide resistome and virulome could be contributing to rapid adaptation and dissemination of these clones at the human-animal-environment interface. In summary, wild owls can constitute environmental reservoirs of international clones of ESBL (CTX-M)-producing E. coli and S. Infantis carrying a wide resistome and virulome, in the Southern Cone of America, with potential risks to human, animal and environmental health. Unlabelled Image • Occurrence of multidrug-resistant bacteria in wild birds has been investigated. • Colonization of wild owls by ESBL (CTX-M)-producing pathogens is highlighted. • International clones of E. coli (ST345, ST2705) and S. Infantis (ST32) were found. • WGS revealed wide resistomes (for antibiotics, heavy metals, QACs) and virulomes. • Potential risks to human, animal and environmental health are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]