Microbiota resistance in Solea spp. in the public health context

• Autor(a) principal: Lopes, Nuno Miguel Mezia
• Data de Publicação: 2011
• Tipo de documento: Dissertação
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: http://hdl.handle.net/10773/8154
• topic: Microbiologia; Biotecnologia; Aquacultura; Resistência a antibióticos

Great concerns are developing worldwide over the emerging threat of infectious diseases caused by antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, especially for the rise of nosocomial infections in healthcare units, placing a major peril over public health systems. There are evidences of resistance genes being transferred from marine life to humans by several mechanisms such as Horizontal Gene Transfer (HGT), with potential reservoirs and vectors still to be determined. The effects caused by antibiotics and other antimicrobial compounds misusage on the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microbiota of species with some degree of contact with human materials or wastes that could present themselves as vectors for a variety of resistant strains of bacteria still remain unknown. The main goal of this study was to determine the existence of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria in the Solea spp. in the public health context. Kirby-Bauer inhibition tests were performed in animals of two aquaculture industries and two fishing harbors located north and south of the Douro river. Results revealed a high resistance for penicillin in all sampling locations. Resistance to amoxicillin with clavulanic acid was obtained in sites A, B and C with few results of intermediate level. In location D the sensibility for this compound was total. The level of inhibition was intermediate for trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (SXT) and ciprofloxacin in site A. Sites B and D revealed sensitivity to both and location C presented resistance to SXT and intermediate resistance to ciprofloxacin. It was considered that antibiotics misusage was the most probable cause for inducing resistance in the GIT microbiota of the Solea spp and the potential for transfer of the genetic determinants of resistance to the human setting is high.