Quantification of antibiotic resistance genes in wildlife ungulates in Ngorongoro Conservation area and Mikumi National Park, Tanzania

Wildlife ungulates, including buffalo, zebra, and wildebeest, in Tanzania's Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) and Mikumi National Park (MNP), serve as reservoirs for antibiotic resistance genes, even without direct contact with cattle. A study quantified 14 antimicrobial resistance genes in fecal samples from these animals, revealing the presence of eight genes, notably tet(W) and blaCMY-2, which encodes ESBL-type resistance—a concern due to its potential spread to environmental bacteria and livestock. Notably, buffalo in MNP, which do not interact with cattle, also tested positive for these genes, suggesting that wild ungulates on savannah may independently harbor resistance determinants. This finding underscores the role of wildlife in maintaining and potentially disseminating antimicrobial resistance, warranting further investigation into their gene pool.

Katakweba, A. A. S., & Olsen, J. E. (2022). Quantification of antibiotic resistance genes in wildlife ungulates in Ngorongoro Conservation area and Mikumi National Park, Tanzania. Tanzania Veterinary Journal, 36(2), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.4314/tvj.v36i2.1