Fecal bacteria from northern elephant seals in California

The goal of my doctoral research was to investigate the presence of fecal pollution, specifically commensal and pathogenic bacterial organisms, in the marine environment using northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) as sentinels. I also sought to determine whether rehabilitation facilities play a role in propagating pathogenic bacteria and antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli isolated from feces of elephant seals. Results to date have shown that seals that had been on their natal beaches and not yet entered the water were less likely to be infected with the pathogenic bacteria Campylobacter and Salmonella spp. and antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli than seals that had been in the water and stranded along the California coastline. It was also found that seals that stranded in locations near high freshwater outflow (rivers and streams) were more likely to be infected with antimicrobial resistant E. coli. I also found that seals that were treated in a rehabilitation facility were infected with E. coli that was much more resistant to antimicrobials than seals on their natal beaches and those that were brought to rehabilitation. The presence of antimicrobial resistant bacteria in seals stranding and being released along the coastline is of concern for both animal and human health and further studies are warranted to understand the ecology of bacterial survival and spread of antimicrobial resistance in the environment