Phenotypic and genetic antimicrobial resistance of the intestinal microbiota isolated from two alpacas (Vicugna pacos) post mortem.

Introduction: In Poland, alpacas are commonly companion animals and producers of wool. Human-alpaca-environment interactions raise One Health concerns about antimicrobial resistance (AMR). No medications are licensed in Poland for camelids, and so all are prescribed under the cascade; they include β-lactams, cephalosporin, florfenicol, enrofloxacin, marbofloxacin, gentamicin, tetracycline and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. Human and animal bacterial AMR is a matter of global concern. Consequently, the aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of phenotypic and genotypic AMR among bacteria isolated from alpaca intestines.

Material and methods: Fifty-four strains were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation-time-of-flight mass spectrometry and biochemical methods. Antibacterial susceptibility was assessed by determining minimum inhibitory concentrations and by the Kirby-Bauer method.

Results: Citrobacter spp., Enterobacter spp. and Serratia spp. exhibited resistance to β-lactams, first-generation cephalosporins and tetracyclines, with Serratia spp. also resistant to colistin, polymyxin B and florfenicol. Enterococcus spp. were resistant to penicillin G, benzylpenicillin and erythromycin, but not to vancomycin, while Staphylococcus spp. showed resistance to amoxicillin and penicillins, but not to methicillin. Bacillus spp. and Corynebacterium spp. were resistant to some penicillins, tetracyclines and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Enterobacteriaceae isolates carried resistance genes (aadA, dfrA1, tetA, sul1, sul2, strA/strB and floR); therefore, the tested alpacas' microbiomes harboured AMR determinants.

Conclusion: Alpacas should be monitored over an extended period to know the risk of transmission of AMR genes from components of their microbiome.