Abstracto
- Objective:The main objective of this study was to analyze the antibiotic susceptibility profile of Escherichia coli isolates obtained from fecal samples of free-ranging Baird’s tapirs (Tapirus bairdii) in the North-western region of the Talamanca Mountain Range. Methods: Fecal samples were collected by opportunistic search in the area of study from February until September 2017, during 7 field expeditions. E. coli isolates were recovered using the selective and differential media agar MacConkey and subjected to biochemical identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing using the automated system Vitek 2 Compact and the AST-N279 card. Results 60 E. coli isolates were obtained from 63 samples. After evaluation of 9 different antibiotic classes, 98% of the isolates were characterized as pansusceptible; only one isolate presented resistance to nalidixic acid. Conclusion: We propose that the commensal intestinal microbiota of free-ranging Baird’s tapirs (T. bairdii) in this area, remains secluded from antibiotic selective pressure, probably because seven different protected areas converge, thus giving a possible low anthropogenic activity to the region.