TITLE:
Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles and Metallo-β-Lactamase Genes (bla_NDM, bla_IMP) in Enterobacteriaceae Isolated from Wild Bats in Burkina Faso
AUTHORS:
Geraud Joel Guigma, Noel Gabiliga Thiombiano, Amana Metuor Dabire, Yeri Esther Hien, Stéphanie Lynseh Carine Sita Bénao, Albert Theophane Yonli, Adama Oueda, Malika Kangoye
KEYWORDS:
Bats, Chiroptera, Enterobacteriaceae, Wildlife, Antimicrobial Resistance, bla_NDM, bla_IMP, Burkina Faso, West Africa
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.14 No.4,
April
8,
2026
ABSTRACT: The global resurgence of infectious diseases has renewed attention on bats, recognized reservoirs of diverse pathogens, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria that pose significant public health threats. This study provides the first comprehensive assessment in Burkina Faso of the antibiotic resistance profiles of Enterobacteriaceae isolated from bats, focusing on three key antibiotic families: β-lactams, third-generation cephalosporins, and carbapenems. From December 2020 to September 2021, bats were captured using mist nets across six locations in Burkina Faso. Oropharyngeal and rectal swabs were collected and processed for bacterial isolation, identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, followed by molecular screening for bla_IMP and bla_NDM metallo-β-lactamase genes. Among 204 bats sampled, 84 tested positive for at least one enterobacterial species, corresponding to a prevalence of 41.17%. The infected individuals belonged to six genera and nine species, comprising one frugivorous species (Epomophorus gambianus) and eight insectivorous species (Hypsideros caffer, Hypsideros jonesi, Mops condylurus, Mops midas, Mops pumilus, Pipistrellus nanulus, Rhinolophus alcyone, and Scotophilus leucogaster). A total of 29 Enterobacteriaceae species were isolated and tested. Resistance to third-generation cephalosporins was observed in 35% of isolates, to β-lactams (amoxicillin-clavulanic acid) in 46%, and to carbapenems in 2.4%. Ceftriaxone (CRO) resistance was detected in 11 bacterial species and reached 100% in Salmonella Typhi and Salmonella Paratyphi A. While resistance profiles to ceftriaxone varied across bat species, no significant differences were detected for amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. Bacterial resistance patterns were not associated with bat sex. Molecular analyses revealed a high prevalence of the bla_NDM gene (96.7%) compared to bla_IMP (3.3%) among resistant isolates. These findings highlight bats as potential reservoirs of multidrug-resistant enterobacteria in West Africa, emphasizing the need for integrated One Health surveillance to better understand wildlife-human transmission risks.