Abstract
Dissemination of antibiotic resistance (AR) in marine environments is a global concern with a propensity to affect public health and many ecosystems worldwide. We evaluated the use of sea turtles as sentinel species for monitoring AR in marine environments. In this field, antibiotic-resistant bacteria have been commonly identified by using standard culture and sensitivity tests, leading to an overrepresentation of specific, culturable bacterial classes in the available literature. AR was detected against all major antibiotic classes, but the highest cumulative global frequency of resistance in all represented geographical sites was against the beta-lactam class by a two-fold difference compared to all other antibiotics. Wastewater facilities and turtle rehabilitation centres were associated with higher incidences of multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRB) accounting for an average of 58% and 49% of resistant isolates, respectively. Furthermore, a relatively similar prevalence of MDRB was seen in all studied locations. These data suggest that anthropogenically driven selection pressures for the development of AR in sea turtles and marine environments are relatively similar worldwide. There is a need, however, to establish direct demonstrable associations between AR in sea turtles in their respective marine environments with wastewater facilities and other anthropogenic activities worldwide.
Highlights
An Overview on the Systematic Search of the Literature on Using Sea Turtles for Fifteen published studies focusing on antibiotic resistance (AR), antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB), and antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs) isolated in sea turtle species were identified (Figure 1)
We show that the highest prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRB) may be associated with sources such as wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and rehabilitation centres for sick and injured sea turtles, which are both considered to be sources of exposure to antibiotics and ARB (Figure 5)
This review evaluates the use of sea turtles as a sentinel species for monitoring as well as reporting incidences, dissemination, and distribution patterns of AR in marine environments
Summary
The rise in antibiotic resistance (AR) among common bacterial pathogens is of increasing concern, and infections caused by multiple drug-resistant bacteria (MDRB) are associated with an increased frequency of mortality [2,3]. To address this problem, the World Health Organisation has commissioned a series of action plans including increasing the awareness of the magnitude and impact of AR through communication, training, education, surveillance, and research [4]. A higher prevalence of MDRB in marine environments threatens marine wildlife and serves as a platform for potential transmission of environmental antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs) to human pathogens.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
