An Investigation of Enterococcus Species Isolated from the African Buffalo (Syncerus caffer) in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Researchers found that Enterococcus species isolated from African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, exhibit genetic diversity and limited antimicrobial resistance, suggesting minimal human-driven transmission of resistance genes. Analysis of 219 isolates revealed six species: E. avium, E. casseliflavus, E. faecalis, E. faecium, E. hirae, and E. mundtii. Multilocus sequence typing showed that some E. faecalis and E. faecium isolates had significant evolutionary distance from primary founders, indicating potential genetic divergence. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing indicated that resistance was not widespread, implying that human intervention has not yet significantly impacted enterococcal populations in this ecosystem.

Shin, E., Mduma, S., Keyyu, J., Fyumagwa, R., & Lee, Y. (2017). An Investigation of Enterococcus Species Isolated from the African Buffalo (Syncerus caffer) in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. Microbes and Environments, 32(4), 402–406. https://doi.org/10.1264/jsme2.me17025