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| Author(s): |
Juliana Maria Nunes Batista
Total Authors: 1
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| Document type: | Master's Dissertation |
| Press: | São Paulo. |
| Institution: | Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ/SBD) |
| Defense date: | 2023-08-04 |
| Examining board members: |
Marcos Bryan Heinemann;
Wagner Andre Pedro;
Antonio Francisco de Souza Filho
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| Advisor: | Marcos Bryan Heinemann |
| Abstract | |
Bats play a crucial role in ecology and public health. They can host various bacteria, including Leptospira and Enterobacterales, which pose challenges to human and animal health. Studying the interaction between bats and these bacteria is essential for understanding and preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases. The objectives of this study were to identify the presence of Leptospira spp. and Enterobacteriales, as well as their antimicrobial resistance, in bat samples. The study was conducted in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo (RMSP). Kidney samples from other parts of the country were also used for molecular diagnosis of Leptospira spp. Collections were carried out between December 2019 and November 2022. Mist nets were set up in shelters near abandoned buildings, tunnel exits, and fruit trees for capturing bats. Captured bats were identified by sex, age range, reproductive condition, and species. The collected samples included urine, feces, rectal swabs, blood, and kidneys from deceased captured animals. Leptospira spp. were investigated using microscopic agglutination testing (MAT) and PCR. Enterobacteria were also investigated, culture and antibiogram testing was conducted using rectal swabs and feces. A total of 445 bats from 23 species and two different families, spanning 25 cities and four states in Brazil, were studied, with 283 bats captured in the metropolitan region of São Paulo. Samples were primarily obtained from rural areas, followed by forested, residential, slum, vertically built residential, and industrial areas. The most common bat species in the RMSP were Sturnira lilium, Artibeus lituratus, and A. fimbriatus. In other regions (other cities of São Paulo, Pernambuco, Paraíba and Ceará States), Desmodus rotundus and Artibeus planirostris were predominantly found. Twenty-two serological tests (MAT) were conducted on blood serum, and 177 PCRs were carried out on bat kidneys and urine to detect Leptospira spp., with all serology samples testing negative and two kidneys testing positive in PCR. Enterobacteriales were cultured from 176 bats, resulting in the identification of 45 different species of intestinal bacteria. The most frequently isolated species was Escherichia coli, followed by Enterobacter cloacae, Serratia marcescens, and Citrobacter freundii. Resistance to various antibiotics was found, with resistance to penicillins and cephalosporins being the most common. Among them, 11 isolates were considered multidrug-resistant. AmpC β-lactamase production genes were found in 3.14% (8/255) of the isolates. This is the first study to detect AmpC β-lactamase genes from the LAT, BIL, DHA, and FOX families in bat Enterobacteriales. The importance of wooded areas and forest fragments for bat conservation is emphasized. These results align with previous studies conducted in Brazil and underscore the significance of bat monitoring for One Health. The obtained results are relevant for monitoring antimicrobial resistance transmitted between humans, animals, and wildlife species, as well as for raising awareness about proper antimicrobial usage. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 20/14401-0 - Detection of Leptospira spp., bacterial and metagenomic enteropathogens in bats (Chiroptera, Mammalia) from the urban region of São Paulo, SP, Brazil |
| Grantee: | Juliana Maria Nunes Batista |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Master |