Antibiotic resistant bacteria are widespread in songbirds across rural and urban environments

摘要: Abstract The widespread use of antibiotics in human and veterinary medicine to treat pathogenic bacteria has resulted the rapid emergence antibiotic-resistant (ARB). Wild animals may enable spread non-pathogenic ARB when they are exposed reservoirs (e.g., contaminated soil, water, or crops) carry on their bodies other environments. We tested for presence four songbird species southwest Michigan across a gradient land use. Our specific objectives were to: 1) quantify prevalence found gut microbiome birds; 2) identify exhibiting resistance; 3) assess whether identity varied among bird species; 4) anthropogenic influenced birds. sampled birds consisting urban, agricultural, natural covers using randomized, spatially-balanced sampling design cultured from fecal samples three different (amoxicillin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin). Overall was high, with 88% total carrying resistant one that we tested. Resistance amoxicillin more common (83% birds) than resistance tetracycline (15%) ciprofloxacin (1%). Identified diverse, included 135 isolates representing 5 bacterial phyla 22 genera. There no effect prevalence, 90% captured rural sites 85% urban ARB. provide first analysis multiple uses utilizing spatially-balanced, randomized study design. results demonstrate nearly all carried at least some ARB, serve as important dispersal agents large spatial scales.