What the study found
The study found that Escherichia coli was common in fecal samples from rehabilitating Bolivian red howler monkeys, and that most isolates were not extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producers. A small number of isolates showed multidrug resistance (resistance to several antibiotic classes).
Why the authors say this matters
The authors say the findings matter because releasing rehabilitated wildlife can introduce antimicrobial resistance into wild ecosystems. They conclude that surveillance in primate rehabilitation programs is important, using a One Health approach, to help prevent potential spread during wildlife release.
What the researchers tested
The researchers examined 44 Bolivian red howler monkeys at a rescue center in Madre de Dios, Peru. They collected fecal samples noninvasively, isolated E. coli, tested susceptibility against 12 antibiotics, confirmed ESBL production phenotypically, and calculated multidrug resistance and the multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index.
What worked and what didn't
E. coli was isolated from 43 of 44 monkeys. Only 1 of 85 isolates was an ESBL producer, and that isolate was multidrug resistant to eight antibiotics across five classes. Among the non-ESBL isolates, resistance was highest to tetracycline, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, and chloramphenicol; five isolates were multidrug resistant, and seven had a MAR index of 0.2 or higher.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not describe follow-up after release, so it does not show whether resistant bacteria spread into wild populations. The findings are limited to one rescue center, one monkey species, and the isolates sampled in this study.
Key points
- E. coli was found in 43 of 44 rehabilitating Bolivian red howler monkeys.
- Only 1 of 85 E. coli isolates was an ESBL producer.
- That ESBL-producing isolate was multidrug resistant to eight antibiotics across five classes.
- Non-ESBL isolates showed the highest resistance to tetracycline, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, and chloramphenicol.
- Five isolates were multidrug resistant, and seven had a MAR index of at least 0.2.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Low levels of ESBL E. coli found in rehabilitating howler monkeys
- Authors:
- Danae S Flores, Nancy Carlos
- Institutions:
- Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia
- Publication date:
- 2026-07-03
- OpenAlex record:
- View
- Image credit:
- Shoestringnomad, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
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