The aim of this study was to molecularly investigate the presence of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in organ samples from 11 Apennine wolves (Canis lupus italicus) collected in Central Italy. Samples from lung, liver, spleen, kidney, tongue and intestine were investigated by PCRs targeting the following genes: tet(A), tet(B), tet(C), tet(D), tet(E), tet(G), tet(K), tet(L), tet(M), tet(O), tetA(P), tet(Q), tet(S), tet(X), sul1, sul2, sul3, bla_CTX−M, bla_SHV, bla_TEM and mcr-1. A PCR positivity was highlighted for 13 out of the 21 tested genes; no positive results were obtained for tet(C), tet(D), tet(E), tet(G), sul3, bla_CTX, bla_SHV and mcr-1 genes. All 11 animals sampled showed positivity for one or more resistance genes. The results confirm the potential role of the wolf as an indicator and/or vector of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria or ARGs.

本研究的目的是从分子角度研究意大利中部采集的11 只亚平宁狼 ( Canis lupus italicus )器官样本中是否存在抗菌素耐药基因 (ARG) 。通过针对以下基因的 PCR 对来自肺、肝、脾、肾、舌和肠的样本进行了研究：tet (A)、tet (B)、tet (C)、tet (D)、tet (E)、tet (G) )、tet (K)、tet (L)、tet (M)、tet (O)、tetA (P)、tet (Q)、tet ( S)、tet (X)、sul1、sul2、sul3、bla _{CTX -M}、bla _SHV、bla _TEM和mcr -1。 21 个测试基因中有 13 个突出显示 PCR 阳性；tet (C)、tet (D)、tet (E)、tet (G)、sul3、bla _CTX、bla _SHV和mcr -1 基因未获得阳性结果。所有 11 只动物样本均显示一种或多种抗性基因呈阳性。结果证实了狼作为耐药细菌或 ARG 的指示剂和/或载体的潜在作用。