Escherichia coli Carrying Antimicrobial Resistance in Rehabilitating Bolivian Red Howler Monkeys (Alouatta sara): A Pre-Release Risk in the Peruvian Amazon.

The release of rehabilitated wildlife can introduce antimicrobial resistance (AMR) into wild ecosystems. We examined AMR in Escherichia coli isolated from 44 Bolivian red howler monkeys (Alouatta sara) at a rescue center in Madre de Dios, Peru. Fecal samples were collected noninvasively and processed for E. coli isolation. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing against 12 antibiotics was performed and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production was phenotypically confirmed. Multidrug resistance (MDR) and the multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index were calculated. We isolated E. coli from 43/44 sampled monkeys (98%). Only 1/85 (1%) E. coli isolates was an ESBL producer, and this isolate exhibited MDR to eight antibiotics across five classes. Non-ESBL isolates (n=84) showed the highest resistance to tetracycline (13%), sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (10%), and chloramphenicol (5%). Five isolates (6%) were MDR, and seven (8%) had a MAR index ≥0.2. Although ESBL prevalence was low, the presence of MDR and critical AMR profiles emphasizes the importance of surveillance, following the One Health approach, in primate rehabilitation programs to help prevent potential AMR spread during wildlife release.