Bad Waters: Antibiotic Resistance Bacteria in Sea Turtles
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Abstract
Sea turtles play a vital role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems and should be considered as environmental sentinels to determine pollution rates in marine environments. Several species of sea turtles are endangered or threatened due to a variety of threats, including habitat loss, hunting, accidental catch, and pollution. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria in sea turtles have become a new threat that could affect their health and survival. The spread of antibiotic resistance is a major concern in the 21st century, particularly in aquatic environments. Turtles can be exposed to antibiotics from various sources, such as through contaminated water, food or medical treatment. It is quite common to discover antibiotic-resistant genes in the environment and in animals that have never been exposed to antibiotic treatments. However, data on the worldwide incidence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in wildlife is still very limited, specifically in marine animals such as sea turtles. Sea turtles can transmit bacteria and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes to humans and other animals. Humans can acquire antibiotic-resistant bacteria by handling contaminated animals or water. The present review aims to compile the most recent studies describing the presence of AMR bacteria in sea turtles and determine how they can impact the ecosystem and human health under the One Health concept.
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