Pheno-genotypic characterization of the enteromicrobiota of wild and zoo animals as a natural reservoir of antibiotic-resistant microbial strains

Background. Currently, there is increasing attention to the rise in the number of cases of bacteria with multiple antimicrobial resistance found in the environment, including in wildlife. Wild animals may play a significant role in the transmission of antibiotic resistance on the local and global levels. The genetic determinants of antibiotic resistance originated in environmental microorganisms, thus a thorough analysis of habitats is necessary to predict the processes of evolution and spread of antibiotic resistance. There is increasing attention of cases of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria being detected in wildlife is attracting increased attention from scientists. Wild animals are involved in the transmission of antibiotic resistance in microorganisms. The genetic determinants of resistance arose in environmental microorganisms, so a thorough analysis of their habitats is necessary to predict the processes of evolution and spread of this phenomenon. Purpose. The objective of the study is to examine the pheno-genotypic profile of antibiotic resistance in microorganisms isolated from the enteromicrobiota of wild and captive (zoo) animals. Materials and methods. Microorganisms were identified using bacteriological methods and time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The detection of genetic determinants of antibiotic resistance was performed using PCR. Results. The studies have shown that the microbiota of the digestive tract of wild and zoo animals is represented by five families: Streptococcaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Bacillaceae, Staphylococcaceae, and Pseudomonadaceae. A high resistance of certain bacterial species (E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecalis, and others) to antimicrobial agents of the biosynthetic penicillin group and β-lactamase inhibitors has been established. Additionally, half of the E. coli isolates were found to carry the blaCTX-M gene, which encodes an extended-spectrum β-lactamase. The blaOXA10 gene, encoding class D β-lactamases, was detected in 15.2% of E. coli cultures. Conclusion. The analysis of actual data from microbiological and molecular-genetic monitoring can serve as an important and effective assessment of the dissemination of clinically significant antimicrobial-resistant microbiota among wild animals.