Bats Are Carriers of Antimicrobial-Resistant Staphylococcaceae in Their Skin

Author(s)

Gaeta, Natalia Carrillo ; Brito, Joao Eduardo Cavalcante ; Nunes Batista, Juliana Maria ; de Mello, Beatriz Gagete Verissimo ; Dias, Ricardo Augusto ; Heinemann, Marcos B.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ANTIBIOTICS-BASEL; v. 12, n. 2, p. 14-pg., 2023-02-01.

Abstract

Bats have emerged as potential carriers of zoonotic viruses and bacteria, including antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Staphylococcaceae has been isolated from their gut and nasopharynx, but there is little information about Staphylococcaceae on bat skin. Therefore, this study aimed to decipher the Staphylococci species in bat skin and their antimicrobial susceptibility profile. One hundred and forty-seven skin swabs were collected from bats during the spring and summer of 2021 and 2022. Bats were captured in different areas of the Metropolitan Region of Sao Paulo, Brazil, according to the degree of anthropization: Area 1 (Forested), Area 2 (Rural), Area 3 (Residential-A), Area 4 (Slum-- up to two floors), Area 5 (Residential-B-condo buildings), and Area 6 (Industrial). Swabs were kept in peptone water broth at 37 degrees C for 12 h when bacterial growth was streaked in Mannitol salt agar and incubated at 37 degrees C for 24 h. The disc-diffusion test evaluated antimicrobial susceptibility. Staphylococcaceae were isolated from 42.8% of bats, mostly from young, from the rural area, and during summer. M. sciuri was the most frequent species; S. aureus was also isolated. About 95% of isolates were resistant to at least one drug, and most strains were penicillin resistant. Eight isolates were methicillin resistant, and the mecA gene was detected in one isolate (S. haemolyticus). Antimicrobial resistance is a One Health issue that is not evaluated enough in bats. The results indicate that bats are carriers of clinically meaningful S. aureus and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Finally, the results suggest that we should intensify action plans to control the spread of resistant bacteria. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 20/15008-0 - Evaluation of bats in urban-rural interfaces: heavy metal contamination, antimicrobial resistance, and microorganisms with zoonotic potential
• Grantee: Natália Carrillo Gaeta
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• 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
• FAPESP's process: 19/19702-1 - Study of the chiropterofauna in urban-rural interfaces: richness, abundance and distribution associated to the risk of pathogen transmission to pet animals and humans
• Grantee: Ricardo Augusto Dias
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants