Zoos

A total of 232 isolates of gram-negative bacteria were recovered from mammals, reptiles, and birds housed at Asa Zoological Park, Hiroshima prefecture, Japan. Forty-nine isolates (21.1%) showed multidrug resistance phenotypes and harbored at least one antimicrobial resistance gene.

Problems associated with the development and spread of antibiotic resistance in clinical practice have been increasing since the early 1960s and are currently viewed as a major threat to public health on a global level.

Animals, particularly wild animals, are believed to be the source of >70% of all emerging infections. A recent report identified more than 25 human infectious disease outbreaks over a 10-year period (1990 to 2000) as being associated with visits to animal exhibits.

Of particular concern is the potential transmission of multidrug-resistant zoonotic pathogens from zoo animals to humans. As little is known about antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in zoo animals, this study was conducted to monitor the incidence and prevalence of antimicrobial resistance genes in gram-negative bacteria isolated from zoo animals in Japan.

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