Meeting Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is a complex and multifaceted problem involving humans, animals, and the environment. Several important antimicrobial resistant pathogens, such as MRSA, vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE), Salmonella spp., Vibrio cholerae, and Campylobacter spp. have also been described in wild animals, highlighting the importance and complexity of wildlife, not normally exposed to antibiotics directly, in the transmission of resistant bacteria. However, the role of wildlife in the emergence of antibacterial resistance might be underestimated. This study examined the prevalence of antibiotic resistant Enterobacteriaceae microorganisms on House Wrens (Troglodytes aedon) in western Kansas. The House Wren is highly social, widely distributed, and often inhabits areas around or within human-dominated centers, making it ideal for studies on transmission of antibiotic resistant bacteria. We swabbed the entire clutch of eggs and the nest cup during incubation. We swabbed individual nestlings when they were 4 days old. Swabs were inoculated on MacConkey media while in the field to select for Gram negative bacteria. Colonies grown on MacConkey media were then selected based on morphology and inoculated on XLD media, a selective and differential media used for the growth of Enterobacteriaceae spp. We performed an antibiogram using the Kirby-Bauer method to determine antibiotic resistance. Additionally, selected possible Carbapenem resistant bacterial colonies’ identities will be confirmed by 16sRNA sequencing. We discuss our findings to understand the effects of bacterial infection on wildlife health in an evolutionary context and provide a starting point for investigating how migratory wildlife may acquire and transmit resistant bacteria to humans.
