Black-and-White Ruffed Lemur ( Varecia variegata ) in Captivity: Analysis of the Oral Microbiota in a One Health Perspective

• Published in: Animals (Basel) 2021-10, Vol.11 (10), p.2905
• Main Authors: Silva, Carolina, Requicha, João F, Martins, José J, Duarte, Aida, Dias, Isabel R, Viegas, Carlos A, Saavedra, Maria J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acids; Animal species; Animal welfare; Animals; Antibiotics; Antiinfectives and antibacterials; Antimicrobial agents; Bacteria; Bacterial infections; biofilm; Biofilms; Biomass; Captivity; Climate change; Drug resistance; Environmental degradation; Environmental health; Gram-negative bacteria; Imipenem; Infectious diseases; Laboratory animals; lemurs; Mammals; Microbiota; Microorganisms; Multidrug resistance; Multidrug resistant organisms; multidrug-resistant bacteria; one health; Oral cavity; oral microbiota; Primates; Public health; Transport media; Varecia variegata; Wild animals; Wildlife; Wildlife habitats; Zoo animals; Zoology
• ISSN: 2076-2615; 2076-2615
• DOI: 10.3390/ani11102905

This study aimed to characterize the susceptibility profile to antibiotics and biofilm formation of Gram-negative bacterial isolates obtained from the oral cavity of the black-and-white ruffed lemur ( ). From eight individuals from a zoo located in Portugal, samples of the oral microbiota were collected with sterile swabs and then placed in closed tubes with a transport medium. Culture was carried out for media of Gram-negative bacteria. Twenty-two isolates were obtained and subjected to susceptibility tests to twenty-five antimicrobial agents belonging to seven different classes. All tested isolates demonstrated resistance to, at least, one antibiotic, and it was possible to observe multidrug resistance in 11 of the 22 isolates (50%). It should be noted that an isolate showed phenotypic resistance to imipenem, an antibiotic for exclusive use in a hospital environment. All the isolates showed an increasing ability of biofilm formation over time. The obtained results show that wild mammals in captivity could be reservoirs and potential sources of multi-resistant pathogens. In view of this fact and considering the One Health concept, it will be advisable to establish local monitoring programs worldwide that benefit and protect human, animal and environmental health.