Abundance of Multiple-Antibiotic-Resistant Salmonella Strains in Fecal Samples of Rhinoceros unicornis of the Kaziranga National Park, India

A concerning prevalence of multiple-antibiotic-resistant (MAR) Salmonella strains was identified in fecal samples from Indian one-horned rhinos (Rhinoceros unicornis) in Kaziranga National Park, India. The study found that 97.6% of Salmonella isolates exhibited resistance to more than one antibiotic, with 100 isolates from two samples showing resistance to imipenem—a critical last-resort antibiotic. Among these, 52 tested positive for metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) genes, and five carried class 1 integrons, suggesting horizontal gene transfer and potential for widespread resistance. The research used replica plating on antibiotic-containing agar plates and multiplex PCR to detect resistance markers. Given that Salmonella spreads via contaminated water, the findings imply environmental contamination in Kaziranga, posing risks to rhinos and potentially complicating treatment of Salmonellosis outbreaks.

Saha, T., Paul, D., & Chakraborty, R. (2021). Abundance of Multiple-Antibiotic-Resistant Salmonella Strains in Fecal Samples of Rhinoceros unicornis of the Kaziranga National Park, India. Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International, 298–313. https://doi.org/10.9734/jpri/2021/v33i44b32680