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Applied and Environmental Microbiology, February 2009, p. 559-566, Vol. 75, No. 3
0099-2240/09/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/AEM.01821-08
Copyright © 2009, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Antimicrobial Resistance in Escherichia coli Isolates from Swine and Wild Small Mammals in the Proximity of Swine Farms and in Natural Environments in Ontario, Canada{triangledown}

Gosia K. Kozak,1 Patrick Boerlin,1,3 Nicol Janecko,2 Richard J. Reid-Smith,1,2,3 and Claire Jardine1*

Department of Pathobiology University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada,1 Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada,2 Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada3

Received 6 August 2008/ Accepted 23 November 2008

Wild animals not normally exposed to antimicrobial agents can acquire antimicrobial agent-resistant bacteria through contact with humans and domestic animals and through the environment. In this study we assessed the frequency of antimicrobial resistance in generic Escherichia coli isolates from wild small mammals (mice, voles, and shrews) and the effect of their habitat (farm or natural area) on antimicrobial resistance. Additionally, we compared the types and frequency of antimicrobial resistance in E. coli isolates from swine on the same farms from which wild small mammals were collected. Animals residing in the vicinity of farms were five times more likely to carry E. coli isolates with tetracycline resistance determinants than animals living in natural areas; resistance to tetracycline was also the most frequently observed resistance in isolates recovered from swine (83%). Our results suggest that E. coli isolates from wild small mammals living on farms have higher rates of resistance and are more frequently multiresistant than E. coli isolates from environments, such as natural areas, that are less impacted by human and agricultural activities. No Salmonella isolates were recovered from any of the wild small mammal feces. This study suggests that close proximity to food animal agriculture increases the likelihood that E. coli isolates from wild animals are resistant to some antimicrobials, possibly due to exposure to resistant E. coli isolates from livestock, to the resistance genes of these isolates, or to antimicrobials through contact with animal feed.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada. Phone: (519) 824-4120, ext. 54656. Fax: (519) 824-5930. E-mail: cjardi01{at}uoguelph.ca

{triangledown} Published ahead of print on 1 December 2008.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology, February 2009, p. 559-566, Vol. 75, No. 3
0099-2240/09/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/AEM.01821-08
Copyright © 2009, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.



This article has been cited by other articles:

  • Kozak, G. K., Pearl, D. L., Parkman, J., Reid-Smith, R. J., Deckert, A., Boerlin, P. (2009). Distribution of Sulfonamide Resistance Genes in Escherichia coli and Salmonella Isolates from Swine and Chickens at Abattoirs in Ontario and Quebec, Canada. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 75: 5999-6001 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Zhou, Z., Raskin, L., Zilles, J. L. (2009). Macrolide Resistance in Microorganisms at Antimicrobial-Free Swine Farms. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 75: 5814-5820 [Abstract] [Full Text]  


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