Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Risk factors for infection with pathogenic and antimicrobial-resistant fecal bacteria in northern elephant seals in California.
- Journal:
- Public health reports (Washington, D.C. : 1974)
- Year:
- 2008
- Authors:
- Stoddard, Robyn A et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Pathology · United States
Plain-English summary
This study looked at juvenile northern elephant seals that were found stranded along the California coast to see what factors might lead to infections from harmful bacteria like Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella, and resistant E. coli. Researchers collected samples from 196 seals and examined various factors, such as where the seals were found, the local human population, and recent rainfall. They found that seals stranded near areas with more freshwater outflow had higher chances of carrying C. jejuni and resistant E. coli, while those in places with less rain were more likely to have Salmonella. Overall, the study suggests that these seals can pick up harmful bacteria from land sources that wash into the water.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to identify potential environmental and demographic factors associated with Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni), Salmonella enterica (Salmonella spp.), and antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) infection in northern elephant seals stranded along the California coastline. METHODS: E. coli, Salmonella spp., and C. jejuni were isolated from rectal swabs from 196 juvenile northern elephant seals, which were found stranded and alive along the California coast and brought to The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California, for rehabilitation. Gender, weight, county where the animal stranded, month stranded, coastal human population density, exposure to sewage outfall or freshwater outflow (river or stream), and cumulative precipitation in the previous 24 hours, seven days, 30 days, 90 days, and 180 days were analyzed as potential risk factors for infection. RESULTS: The odds of C. jejuni and antimicrobial-resistant E. coli were higher in feces of seals stranded at sites with higher levels of freshwater outflow compared with lower levels of freshwater outflow. The odds of Salmonella spp. in feces were 5.4 times greater in seals stranded in locations with lower levels of 30-day cumulative precipitation, along with substantially lower odds of Salmonella shedding for seals stranded in Monterey or Santa Cruz county compared with seals stranded in regions further north or south of this central California location. CONCLUSIONS: Juvenile northern elephant seals that have entered the water are being colonized by antimicrobial-resistant and pathogenic fecal bacteria that may be acquired from terrestrial sources transmitted via river and surface waters.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19006978/