Quinolone resistance markers in fluoroquinolone-resistant, non-ESBL- producing Escherichia coli isolated from non-human primates at selected zoological gardens and tourist centres

ABSTRACT

Fluoroquinolone-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) from faecal matter of non-human primates (NHP) and their carriage of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes were investigated in this study. Faecal samples were collected from six accredited zoological and tourism gardens in South-western and Northern Nigeria. Five fluoroquinolone-resistant E. coli were obtained from the 43 NHP sampled. Three of the isolates were from Agodi gardens, Ibadan, and one each from Osun Osogbo grove and University of Ibadan Zoological garden. The isolates were from Green monkeys (3), Mona Monkey (1) and Anubis baboon (1). They showed varying antibiotic resistance levels, with 100% resistance observed only towards sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim. None of the isolates was positive for ESBL production. All the isolates carried qnrD, with three each carrying qnrA and qnrS. Only one isolate carried qnrB. The carriage of qnr genes by captive animals could portend serious public health risks.

KEYWORDS:

• Primates
• fluoroquinolone resistant E. coli
• PMQR

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the authorities of the zoological gardens and tourist centres for granting us access for the collection of samples from the primates.

Author contributions

AOO, AOA, OAO and JFO contributed to the conception and design of the study. AOO and AOA collected the data and prepared the draft manuscript. AOO and AOA revised the manuscript and all authors approved the submission of the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.