Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Belonging to Novel Sequence Types ST473 and ST474 in Wild Birds Inhabiting the Brazilian Amazonia.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an opportunistic human pathogen associated with nosocomial and community-acquired infections. We have conducted a microbiological and genomic surveillance study of broad-spectrum cephalosporin- and carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria colonizing wild birds inhabiting the Brazilian Amazonia. Strikingly, two S. maltophilia strains (SM79 and SM115) were identified in Plain-throated antwren (Isleria hauxwelli) passerines affected by Amazonian fragmentation and degradation. Noteworthy, SM79 and SM115 strains belonged to new sequence types (STs) ST474 and ST473, respectively, displaying resistance to broad-spectrum ß-lactams, aminoglycosides and/or fluoroquinolones. In this regard, resistome analysis confirmed efflux pumps (smeABC, smeDEF, emrAB-tolC and macB), blaL1 and blaL2, aph(3')-IIc and aac(6')-Iak, and Smqnr resistance genes. Comparative phylogenomic analysis with publicly available S. maltophilia genomes clustered ST473 and ST474 with human strains, whereas the ST474 was also grouped with S. maltophilia strains isolated from water and poultry samples. In summary, we report two novel sequence types of S. maltophilia colonizing wild Amazonian birds. The presence of opportunistic multidrug-resistant pathogens in wild birds, from remotes areas, could represent an ecological problem since these animals could easily promote long-distance dispersal of medically important antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Therefore, while our results could provide a baseline for future epidemiological genomic studies, considering the limited information regarding S. maltophilia circulating among wild animals, additional studies are necessary to evaluate the clinical impact and degree of pathogenicity of this human opportunistic pathogen in wild birds.

CTX-M-producing Escherichia coli ST602 carrying a wide resistome in South American wild birds: Another pandemic clone of One Health concern.

Wild birds have emerged as novel reservoirs and potential spreaders of antibiotic-resistant priority pathogens, being proposed as sentinels of anthropogenic activities related to the use of antimicrobial compounds. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence and genomic features of extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria in wild birds in South America. In this regard, we have identified two ESBL (CTX-M-55 and CTX-M-65)-positive Escherichia coli (UNB7 and GP188 strains) colonizing Creamy-bellied Thrush (Turdus amaurochalinus) and Variable Hawk (Geranoaetus polyosoma) inhabiting synanthropic and wildlife environments from Brazil and Chile, respectively. Whole-genome sequence (WGS) analysis revealed that E. coli UNB7 and GP188 belonged to the globally disseminated clone ST602, carrying a wide resistome against antibiotics (ß-lactams), heavy metals (arsenic, copper, mercury), disinfectants (quaternary ammonium compounds), and pesticides (glyphosate). Additionally, E. coli UNB7 and GP188 strains harbored virulence genes encoding hemolysin E, type II and III secretion systems, increased serum survival, adhesins and siderophores. SNP-based phylogenomic analysis, using an international genome database, revealed genomic relatedness (19-363 SNP differences) of GP188 with livestock and poultry strains, and genomic relatedness (61-318 differences) of UNB7 with environmental, human and livestock strains (Table S1), whereas phylogeographical analysis confirmed successful expansion of ST602 as a global clone of One Health concern. In summary, our results support that ESBL-producing E. coli ST602 harboring a wide resistome and virulome have begun colonizing wild birds in South America, highlighting a potential new reservoir of critical priority pathogens.

Novel gammaherpesvirus associated with primary gastric T-cell lymphoma in a free-ranging giant armadillo in Brazil.

The number of viral-associated neoplasms reported in wildlife has increased over the last decades, likely because of growing research efforts and a potentially greater burden of carcinogenic pathogens. Herein, we describe a primary gastric T-cell lymphoma in one free-ranging giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus) from Brazilian Pantanal infected by a novel gammaherpesvirus, proposed as Cingulatid gammaherpesvirus 1 (CiHV-1). By chromogenic in situ hybridisation against Epstein-Barr virus some neoplastic cells were labeled. Subsequently, a molecular screening was carried out to detect the occurrence of this pathogen in other giant armadillos in the same region. Overall, this novel virus was detected in 14.3% (3/21) of the tested giant armadillos. We suggest this herpesvirus, the first in Xenarthra, as a plausible aetiology of the neoplasm. The implications of CiHV-1 for this species are uncertain; while no outbreaks of disease have been recorded, the present study raises concerns. Further research is warranted to assess the real significance of CiHV-1 and its potential oncogenic role in this species.

Genomic data reveal international lineages of critical priority Escherichia coli harbouring wide resistome in Andean condors (Vultur gryphus Linnaeus, 1758).

Critical priority pathogens have globally disseminated beyond clinical settings, thereby threatening wildlife. Andean Condors (Vultur gryphus) are essential for ecosystem health and functioning, but their populations are globally near threatened and declining due to anthropogenic activities. During a microbiological and genomic surveillance study of critical priority antibiotic-resistant pathogens, we identified pandemic lineages of multidrug-resistant extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli colonizing Andean Condors admitted at two wildlife rehabilitation centres in South America. Genomic analysis revealed the presence of genes encoding resistance to hospital and healthcare agents among international E. coli clones belonging to sequence types (STs) ST162, ST602, ST1196 and ST1485. In this regard, the resistome included genes conferring resistance to clinically important cephalosporins (i.e., CTX-M-14, CTX-M-55 and CTX-M-65 ESBL genes), heavy metals (arsenic, mercury, lead, cadmium, copper, silver), pesticides (glyphosate) and domestic/hospital disinfectants, suggesting a link with anthropogenic environmental pollution. On the other hand, the presence of virulence factors, including the astA gene associated with outbreak of childhood diarrhoea and extra-intestinal disease in animals, was identified, whereas virulent behaviour was confirmed using the Galleria mellonella infection model. E. coli ST162, ST602, ST1196 and ST1485 have been previously identified in humans and food-producing animals worldwide, indicating that a wide resistome could contribute to rapid adaptation and dissemination of these clones at the human-animal-environment interface. Therefore, these results highlight that Andean Condors have been colonized by critical priority pathogens, becoming potential environmental reservoirs and/or vectors for dissemination of virulent and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and/or their genes, in associated ecosystems and wildlife.

Survey of Leptospira spp. and Brucella abortus in Free-Ranging Armadillos from Pantanal, Brazil.

Out of the 20 recognized species of armadillos in the world, 11 are found in Brazil, and five of them are found in Pantanal, one of the world's largest wetlands. Beef cattle (Bos taurus) farming is the main economic activity in this region, which promotes intense wildlife-livestock contact and increases the likelihood of pathogen exposure, including to agents with zoonotic and economic relevance. Previous studies demonstrated that several wildlife species in Pantanal have been exposed to Brucella abortus and Leptospira spp.; however, little is known regarding the exposure and/or prevalence of zoonotic pathogens in armadillos. We used conventional PCR, the rose Bengal test (RBT), and the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) to investigate the exposure to and infection by Brucella spp. and Leptospira spp. using blood samples from four species of armadillos: nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus, n=2), southern naked-tailed armadillo (Cabassous unicinctus, n=8), yellow armadillo (Euphractus sexcinctus, n=16), and giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus, n=22), captured in Nhecolândia, Pantanal, Brazil. Samples were PCR- and RBT-negative for Brucella spp. infection and exposure. However, MAT revealed a Leptospira spp. seroprevalence of 31% (5/16; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.11-0.58) in yellow armadillo and 18% (4/22; 95% CI=0.05-0.40) in giant armadillo specimens to serogroups Autumnalis, Cynopteri, and Pomona, with titers ranging from 200 to 1,600. Our results contribute to the understanding of zoonotic pathogens in armadillos in Pantanal and reinforce the importance of wildlife health surveillance in this area.