Perfil de sensibilidade antimicrobiana de estirpes de Salmonella isoladas de répteis em cativeiro

Abstract

The present study evaluated the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Salmonella strains isolated from captive reptiles, including tortoises, snakes, and lizards, aiming to investigate differences among groups and identify potential public health risks. Reptiles were selected due to their relevance as companion animals and their ability to harbor Salmonella, a zoonotic pathogen of clinical importance. A total of 60 bacterial strains were analyzed and subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing against eight antimicrobials, including tetracycline, penicillins, fluoroquinolones, chloramphenicol, gentamicin, and fosfomycin. The results showed that resistance was predominantly observed for tetracycline, especially among strains isolated from snakes (55.6%) and tortoises (20.6%), while resistance to penicillins was detected exclusively in snake isolates. All strains were susceptible to chloramphenicol, gentamicin, and fosfomycin, and intermediate susceptibility profiles were observed only for ciprofloxacin, mainly among snake isolates. No strain was classified as multidrug-resistant, although some exhibited resistance to two or three antimicrobial classes. Differences in resistance profiles among reptile groups may be associated with diet, feeding habits, and previous exposure to antimicrobials in captivity. Overall, the findings indicate a low level of antimicrobial resistance; however, tetracycline and penicillins emerged as antimicrobials with a higher risk of resistance, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring of Salmonella in captive reptiles and the implementation of preventive measures to reduce the dissemination of resistant strains, contributing to public health and biosafety.