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Increase in Antimicrobial Resistance in Bacteria Isolated from Stranded Marine Mammals of the Northwest Atlantic

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Abstract

Studies on marine mammals can inform our understanding of the environmental health of the ocean. To evaluate the potential for changes in antimicrobial resistance, we analyzed a database spanning 2004–2010 that consisted of bacterial isolate identity and antimicrobial sensitivity for stranded pinnipeds in the Northwest Atlantic. Samples (n = 170) from treated animals yielded 310 bacterial isolates representing 24 taxa. We evaluated changes in antimicrobial class resistance from 2004 to 2010 for eight taxa. Escherichia coli displayed a significant increase in resistance to several antimicrobial classes. Other taxa displayed significant increases in resistance to aminoglycosides, and/or fluoroquinolones. In addition, we observed a significant increase in multiple antimicrobial resistance in cultures from untreated animals. These results demonstrate an increase in resistance among common bacterial pathogens of marine mammals over a time span of 6 years.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the volunteers, interns, and staff at UNE’s Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center for their years of sample collection, record keeping, and marine animal care. The Maine Department of Marine Resources, College of the Atlantic/Allied Whale, New England Aquarium and International Fund for Animal Welfare Marine Mammal Rescue and Research were essential to the collection and transportation of stranded animals. A. Simpson, S. Prendiville, E. Mercker, K. Patchett, and R. Gibson provided valuable assistance concerning animal records, treatments, sensitivity testing, and evaluation. Three anonymous reviewers provided constructive comments that significantly improved the manuscript. Funding support for this study was provided by NOAA/NMFS (John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program to MARC # NA08NMF4390562), the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation and the University of New England. This is contribution #51 from the University of New England’s Marine Science Center.

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Author notes

  1. Courtney C. Wallace

    Present address: IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., Westbrook, ME, 04092, USA

  2. Philip O. Yund

    Present address: The Downeast Institute, Beals, ME, 04611, USA

  3. Keith A. Matassa

    Present address: Pacific Marine Mammal Center, Laguna Beach, CA, 92651, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Land–Sea Interactions, University of New England, 11 Hills Beach Road, Biddeford, ME, 04005, USA

    Courtney C. Wallace, Philip O. Yund, Timothy E. Ford & Anna L. Bass

  2. Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center, University of New England, Biddeford, ME, 04005, USA

    Keith A. Matassa

Authors
  1. Courtney C. Wallace
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  2. Philip O. Yund
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  3. Timothy E. Ford
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  4. Keith A. Matassa
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  5. Anna L. Bass
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Correspondence to Anna L. Bass.

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Wallace, C.C., Yund, P.O., Ford, T.E. et al. Increase in Antimicrobial Resistance in Bacteria Isolated from Stranded Marine Mammals of the Northwest Atlantic. EcoHealth 10, 201–210 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10393-013-0842-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10393-013-0842-6

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