Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Staphylococcus spp. Isolated from the Oral Cavity of Captive Wild Mammals at a Zoo in Southern Brazil

Antimicrobial resistance in Staphylococcus spp. poses a challenge to One Health due to the potential for transmission among humans, animals, and the environment. This study investigated antimicrobial resistance patterns in Staphylococcus spp. isolates from the oral cavities of non-human primates and wild felids kept in captivity at a zoo in southern Brazil. Samples were collected from Sapajus apella and wild felids (Leopardus pardalis, Leopardus guttulus, Herpailurus yagouaroundi, Leopardus wiedii, Panthera tigris, Puma concolor, Panthera onca). Bacterial isolation and identification were performed using phenotypic methods, followed by antimicrobial susceptibility testing and molecular diagnosis for the detection of Staphylococcus aureus and the mecA gene. Of the Staphylococcus spp. isolates, 64.5% originated from non-human primates and 35.5% from wild felids. S. aureus was identified in 12.9% of the isolates, all from non-human primates. Azithromycin, erythromycin, and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim showed 90.3% resistance. Additionally, 80.6% of the isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR), and 90.3% demonstrated a multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index, suggesting possible exposure to antimicrobial selective pressure. These findings demonstrate the circulation of multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus spp. in captive animals and reinforce the importance of antimicrobial resistance surveillance from a One Health perspective.