Pasteurellaceae bacteria from the oral cavity of Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus Harrisii) show high minimum inhibitory concentration values towards aminoglycosides and clindamycin

• Published in: Letters in applied microbiology Vol. 62; no. 3; pp. 237 - 242
• Main Authors: Gutman, N, Hansen, M.J, Bertelsen, M.F, Bojesen, A.M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Published for the Society for Applied Bacteriology by Blackwell Scientific Publications [c1985-] 01.03.2016; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: aggression; amikacin; Aminoglycosides - pharmacology; Animal bites; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Antimicrobial agents; antimicrobial susceptibility; at-risk population; Bacteria; Bites and Stings - microbiology; clindamycin; Clindamycin - pharmacology; culture media; drug therapy; Facial Neoplasms; gentamicin; guidelines; Humans; Infections; Marsupialia - microbiology; MIC; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; minimum inhibitory concentration; mouth; Mouth - microbiology; Pasteurellaceae; Pasteurellaceae - drug effects; Pasteurellaceae - isolation & purification; risk; Sarcophilus harrisii; Sharks; Tasmanian devil; Wound Infection - microbiology; Pasteurellaceae; Tasmanian devil; antimicrobial susceptibility; Sarcophilus harrisii; MIC; minimum inhibitory concentration
• ISSN: 0266-8254; 1472-765X
• DOI: 10.1111/lam.12545

Threatened by Devil Facial Tumor Disease, the Tasmanian devil populations are vulnerable and decreasing. Additionally, the devils’ biting behaviour elevates their risk of acquiring bite wound infections caused by members of the bacterial Pasteurellaceae family that are natural inhabitants of the oral microbiota. In medical management of such bite wounds, antimicrobial susceptibility profiles are crucial. Prior to this investigation, no available data on minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values existed. A total of 26 isolates obtained from the oral cavity of 26 healthy Tasmanian devils were tested for their antimicrobial susceptibility by broth micro dilution. Most prominently, high MIC values for clindamycin (≥4 μg ml⁻¹), gentamicin (≥8 μg ml⁻¹) and amikacin (≥32 μg ml⁻¹), were observed for 92, 77 and 73% of the strains tested respectively. This study may be used as a guideline for antimicrobial therapy against bite wound infections caused by Pasteurellaceae originating from the oral cavity of Tasmanian devils. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Tasmanian devils’ aggressive behaviour makes bite wounds in fellow devils and human caretakers a common entity. Pasteurellaceae bacteria are common inhabitants of the oral microbiota of Tasmanian devils and a likely cause of bite wound infections. Here, for the first time, we report antimicrobial sensitivity profiles from a broad collection of Pasteurellaceae isolates obtained from the oral cavity of Tasmanian devils. Low MIC values were observed for the majority of the 22 antimicrobial agents included, yet nearly all strains were tolerant to clindamycin and the aminoglycosides. The work can serve as a guide for clinicians involved in treatment of bite wounds inflicted by devils in animals and humans.