title: Antimicrobial resistant bacteria in wild mammals and birds: a coincidence or cause for concern?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The emergence and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing concern to public and animal health. The contribution attributable to wildlife remains unclear. In this study two unrelated wildlife species herring gulls (Larus argentatus) and a hybrid deer (Cervus elaphus x Cervus nippon) were investigated for the presence of Escherichia coli expressing an AMR phenotype.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bacterial isolates resistant to β-lactam compounds were identified in both animal species and the production of functional β-lactamase was confirmed using nitrocefin. The prevalence of resistant isolates was higher in herring gulls (87%) compared to deer (31%). Resistance to this class of antibiotic was found only in non-pathogenic E. coli in herring gulls and in both pathogenic and non-pathogenic E. coli strains in deer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of AMR in wildlife has implications for public health, food safety and potable water source protection among others.
authors.affiliation: UCD School of Agriculture & Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
authors.forename: Shaun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: UCD Centre for Food Safety, UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy & Population Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: UCD Centre for Food Safety, UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy & Population Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
authors.forename: Séamus
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fanning
authors.affiliation: UCD School of Agriculture & Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
authors.forename: Barry J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: McMahon
keywords: Antimicrobial resistance; Deer; Escherichia coli; Herring gull; Larus argentatus