Quinolone resistance markers in fluoroquinolone-resistant, non-ESBL- producing Escherichia coli isolated from non-human primates at selected zoological gardens and tourist centres

Fluoroquinolone-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) from faecal matter of non-human primates (NHP) and their carriage of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes were investigated in this study. Faecal samples were collected from six accredited zoological and tourism gardens in South-western and Northern Nigeria. Five fluoroquinolone-resistant E. coli were obtained from the 43 NHP sampled. Three of the isolates were from Agodi gardens, Ibadan, and one each from Osun Osogbo grove and University of Ibadan Zoological garden. The isolates were from Green monkeys (3), Mona Monkey (1) and Anubis baboon (1). They showed varying antibiotic resistance levels, with 100% resistance observed only towards sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim. None of the isolates was positive for ESBL production. All the isolates carried qnrD, with three each carrying qnrA and qnrS. Only one isolate carried qnrB. The carriage of qnr genes by captive animals could portend serious public health risks. © 2022 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.