Wildlife-associated ecosystems in Algeria harbor internationally distributed ESBL-producing clones and plasmids, including a CTX-M-15 Klebsiella pneumoniae ST17 lineage associated with a conserved IncFIB(K) resistance plasmid.

Wildlife-associated ecosystems in Algeria harbor internationally distributed ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae ST17 and other high-risk Enterobacterales lineages with conserved resistance plasmids.

• Why it matters: Understanding the presence and spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in wildlife is crucial, especially in low- and middle-income countries, to address gaps in global resistance surveillance and prevent transmission across human, animal, and environmental interfaces.
• What they did: The study analyzed 1,899 fecal samples from wildlife, captive animals, and zoo workers in Algeria between October 2021 and June 2023, identifying 73 ESC-R-E isolates through culture, susceptibility testing, and whole-genome sequencing, focusing on resistance mechanisms and population structure.
• The result: Findings reveal the circulation of high-risk Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli lineages, including CTX-M-15-carrying plasmids, across hosts and environments, emphasizing the importance of integrated One Health surveillance to mitigate antimicrobial resistance spread.