Dissemination of multidrug-resistant bacteria into the Arctic

Emerg Infect Dis. 2008 Jan;14(1):70-2. doi: 10.3201/eid1401.070704.

Abstract

We show that Escherichia coli isolates originating from Arctic birds carry antimicrobial drug resistance determinants. This finding implies that dissemination of drug-resistant bacteria is worldwide. Resistance genes can be found even in a region where no selection pressure for resistance development exists.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Wild / microbiology
  • Arctic Regions / epidemiology
  • Carrier State / epidemiology*
  • Charadriiformes / microbiology
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial / genetics*
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects*
  • Geese / microbiology
  • Greenland / epidemiology
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Sentinel Surveillance / veterinary*
  • Siberia / epidemiology