ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE PROFILE IN BROWN BOOBIES (Sula leucogaster) SAMPLES FROM STABILIZATION CENTER IN RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

Abstract

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria pose a significant global health threat due to their widespread use not only in human medical settings but also in animal clinics and animal production, where they are employed for growth promotion and prophylaxis. The aquatic environment plays a crucial role in disseminating these resistant bacteria, with marine species serving as reservoirs. Seabirds, such as the brown booby, a coastal species, are effective bioindicators of environmental quality. This study aims to evaluate the resistance profiles of different antimicrobial agents in bacterial strains collected from brown booby samples treated at the stabilization unit in Riode Janeiro, Brazil, using the SIMBA platform. Samples from both live and deceased animals were collected for antibiogram testing. The most commonly identified species were Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, primarily from the respiratory tract. The highest number of resistant isolates was observed in the β-lactams and fluoroquinolones classes. Medical significance was noted in the identified species and resistance genes, highlighting the impact of pollution on the environment and confirming the utility of brown boobies as bioindicators.