الملخص الإنجليزي
Oviductal fluid from 40 green turtles (Chelonia mydas) turtles from Ras Al-Hadd Reserve were examined for the presence of antibiotic resistant bacteria. The samples were collected from the cloacal vent during oviposition using a non-invasive procedure. Each sample was obtained by inserting a 15 cm sterile swab gently into the cloacal vent, as the sphincter muscle is relaxed and the cloacal lining is unfolded to the outside. A total of 42 bacteria from 11 genera were isolated. A phylogenetic tree was constructed for the 42 bacterial isolates and heterogeneity in the phylogeny of bacteria was evident. The dominant isolate was Citrobacter. Among the isolates 85.3% showed multiple resistance to 15 tested antibiotics. Resistance to ampicillin and streptomycine was the highest, followed by sulphamethoxazole. Twenty two ampicillin resistant isolates were screened for three classes of B-lactamases. Screening showed that 31.8% were extended-spectrum B-lactamases (ESBL) screen positive, 18.2% were AmpC screen positive, while 31.8% were screen positive to both ESBL and AmpC type B-lactamases. All the isolates were screen negative to metallo B-lactamase production. Also, ESBL confirmatory test and multiplex PCR revealed negative results. However, according to IBT 27.3% were categorized as AmpC B-lactamase producers. In addition, multiplex PCR was used to identify the genes of screen positive isolates for ampc type B-lactamases. Out of the eleven AmpC screen positive isolates, only four showed positive bands. Sequencing revealed CMY and AmpR type B-lactamses. Sampling oviductal fluid for antibiotic resistant bacteria is valuable in assessing polluted effluents in feeding and migratory habitats of turtles. Tracking polluted effluents using bacteria as bio-indicator may influence reproductive potential in this endangered species.
