Multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae ST70 harboring bla NDM in a migratory Penguin

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....

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Main Authors: Sandryelle Merces Freire, Annelise Kyllar, Marina Côrtes, Thiago P. G. Chagas, Felipe Pinheiro, Renata F. A. Pereira, Fabio Aguiar-Alves, Bruno Penna
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-97816-4
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Summary: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.
ISSN:2045-2322