Into the sea: Antimicrobial resistance determinants in the microbiota of little penguins (Eudyptula minor)

Terrestrial and aquatic birds have been proposed as sentinels for the spread of antimicrobial resistant bacteria, but few species have been investigated specifically in the context of AMR in the marine ecosystem. This study contrasts the occurrence of class 1 integrons and associated antimicrobial resistance genes in wild and captive little penguins (Eudyptula minor), an Australian seabird with local population declines. PCR screening of faecal samples (n = 448) revealed a significant difference in the prevalence of class 1 integrons in wild and captive groups, 3.2% and 44.7% respectively, with genes that confer resistance to streptomycin, spectinomycin, trimethoprim and multidrug efflux pumps detected. Class 1 integrons were not detected in two clinically relevant bacterial species, Klebsiella pneumoniae or Escherichia coli, isolated from penguin faeces. The presence of class 1 integrons in the little penguin supports the use of marine birds as sentinels of AMR in marine environments.

Automated summary

This study found the presence of class 1 integrons in the little penguin, supporting the use of marine birds as sentinels of antimicrobial resistance in marine environments. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of class 1 integrons between wild and captive groups, and these genes were not detected in clinically relevant bacterial species Klebsiella pneumoniae or Escherichia coli isolated from penguin feces.