Fecal microbiota and antibiotic resistance in ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) from two captive breeding facilities in Italy.
The microbiota of the intestinal tract plays important roles in the overall health, productivity and well-being of the animals. We have characterized the intestinal microbiota of the ferret because its human cohabitation may increase the possibility of new zoonosis. The presence of anaerobic and microaerophilic bacteria has been evaluated in fresh fecal specimens of 40 ferrets in apparently good health. The bacteria most frequently isolated were Clostridium acetobutylicum (25/40 samples, 62.5%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 45.81-76.83%) and Helicobacter spp. (16/40 samples, 40.0%; 95% CI: 25.28-56.61%), as anaerobic and microaerophilic bacteria, respectively. The Kirby-Bauer disc-diffusion method showed penicillin, streptomycin and vancomycin resistances in high percentages (>80%) of the bacterial isolates, both in anaerobic and microaerophilic groups. Furthermore, the microaerophilic-bacteria group exhibited a significantly higher antibiotic-resistance profile compared to that of anaerobic-bacteria group. The presence of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms in the microbiota of the ferret gastrointestinal tract is a great concern for public health.
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples 'Federico II', Via F. Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy.
Sandra
S
Nizza
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples 'Federico II', Via F. Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy.
Francesca
F
Rando
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples 'Federico II', Via F. Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy. Electronic address: filomena.fiorito@unina.it.
Filomena
F
Fiorito
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples 'Federico II', Via F. Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy.
Ugo
U
Pagnini
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples 'Federico II', Via F. Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy.
Giuseppe
G
Iovane
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples 'Federico II', Via F. Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy.
Luisa
L
De Martino
D000818:Animals; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D005289:Ferrets / Q000382:microbiology*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000382:microbiology*; D007558:Italy; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D064307:Microbiota; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000382:microbiology*
Clostridium acetobutylicum; Fecal samples; Helicobacter spp.; Mustela putorius furo