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Shiri Navon-Venezia
According to a study presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, many animals present in children's zoos could be colonized by one or more strains of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase or ESBL and enterobacteria producing from AmpC.
"The risk of disease in children's zoos depends on various factors, including the source of exposure to the pathogen, the type of pathogen and its potential virulence, the exposed person and its status. immune", Shiri Navon-Venezia, PhD, Professor at the Department of Molecular Biology of Ariel University in Israel, said Infectious Diseases in Children. "For example, young babies are at greater risk of infection than adolescents with a developed immune system."
To avoid potentially harmful pathogens in children's zoos, visitors should follow hygiene practices, including hand washing before and after contact with animals.
"Parents should also help young children and ensure that their families avoid eating and drinking near animals," Navon-Venezia said.
The researchers collected samples of 42 different species of animals found in eight randomly selected children's zoos between December 2016 and May 2017.
Of the 228 animals included in the badysis, 12% were colonized with enterobacteria producing ESBL and AmpC, with 35 identified bacteria. Most of the bacteria were recovered in stool samples (77%), while 23% were found in samples taken from skin, coat or feathers. A quarter of the animals positive for the bacteria were colonized with more than one strain.
The results presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases suggest that many animals in children's zoos can be colonized with MDR bacteria.
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According to the researchers, 55% of the bacteria recovered were Enterobacter species (of which 52% E. cloacae complex and 3% E. amnigène), 31% were Escherichia coliand 14% were Citrobacter species (of which 11% C. freundii and 3% C. Braakii).
Navon-Venezia and his colleagues found various E. cloacae and E. coli sequence types, including enterotoxigenic E. coli ST656 – a strain that they say can be very virulent – and uropathogenic E. coli Strains ST127.
Further badysis showed that animals treated with antibiotic therapy had a significantly higher risk of colonization (OR = 7.34).
"Children's zoos should apply easy hygiene practices, such as providing hand-washing stations at the height of children near areas reserved for animals and children," Navon-Venezia said. "Zoos can also restrict eating and eating areas and put up posters to remind visitors to wash their hands." – by Katherine Bortz
Reference:
Shnaiderman-Torban A, et al. Abstract 1514. Presented at: ECCMID; April 13-16, 2019; Amsterdam.
Disclosures: The authors do not report any relevant financial information.
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