Multiple-antibiotic resistance of Enterococcus faecalis in an endangered olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea): A case report

Abstract

There has recently been an alarming increase in the prevalence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in marine environments. In this study, an Enterococcus sp. was isolated from bacteriologic cultures of the elbow joint of an olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea ). The enterococci isolate was identified at the species level as Enterococcus faecalis using PCR and the RAPID ID 32 STREP system. Analysis of the antimicrobial resistance patterns and the antibiotic-resistance genes of the E. faecalis isolated in this study revealed multiple-antibiotic-resistance (MAR). Specifically, the isolate presented resistance to doxycycline, enrofloxacin, erythromycin, neomycin, oxytetracycline, gentamicin, amikacin, ciprofloxacin, spiramycin, chloramphenicol, ceftiofur, and azithromycin. We also identified the tetracycline resistance gene tet(M) in the E. faecalis isolate. Further research into the antimicrobial resistance patterns of Enterococcus spp. should be conducted to promote the conservation of sea turtles.