Zoonotic Bacteria Persistence and Susceptibility
- Infectious disease
Abstract
Hypermucoviscous K. pneumoniae (HMV) are emergent zoonotic pathogens associated with increased invasiveness and pathogenicity in terrestrial and marine mammals. In this study, HMV and non-HMV isolates recovered from stranded pinnipeds were used to investigate: 1) their persistence in sea and fresh water microcosms at 10 and 20°C, 2) their capacity to form biofilms, and 3) the biocide efficacy of four disinfectants on their planktonic and biofilm phenotypes. Results indicated that although HMV isolates were significantly more mucoviscous, non-HMV isolates displayed significantly greater capacity to form biofilms (p < 0.05). Additionally, non-HMV isolates persisted in greater numbers in both sea- and freshwater, particularly at 20°C. These two phenomena could be associated with the greater growth observed for non-HMV isolates in in-vitro growth-curve assays (p < 0.05). Similar susceptibility to disinfectants was detected in HMV and non-HMV isolates when exposed for 24 h; however, the minimal biofilm disinfectant eradication concentration for HMV isolates was significantly higher than that for non-HMV when exposed to disinfectants for 0.5 h. This information should be taken into consideration when developing biosecurity protocols in facilities holding marine mammals in captivity.
Soto, E., Abdelrazek, S.M., Basbas, C., Duignan, P.J., Rios, C. and Byrne, B.A., 2020. Environmental persistence and disinfectant susceptibility of Klebsiella pneumoniae recovered from pinnipeds stranded on the California Coast. Veterinary Microbiology, 241, pp.108554.
Meet The Experts
{"image":"\/People\/Portrait\/cropped-images\/PD_Gray whale Pacifica_IMG_0552-0-0-1270-992-1775170630.jpeg","alt":"Padraig Duignan","title":"P\u00e1draig Duignan","text":"Senior Director, Research Pathology","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/person\/padraig-duignan","link_text":"Read Bio"}
Related Publications
{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/Other species\/nz-sea-lion-shutterstock.jpg","alt":"New Zealand sea lion","title":"Causes of Death in Two Populations of New Zealand Sea Lions","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/causes-of-death-in-two-populations-of-new-zealand-sea-lions","label":"Research Paper"}
{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/California sea lions\/cropped-images\/csl-photo-by-bill-hunnewell-c-the-marine-mammal-center-1-0-0-2358-1722-1600891644.jpg","alt":"California sea lions","title":"Emerging Viruses in Marine Mammals","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/emerging-viruses-in-marine-mammals","label":"Research Paper"}
{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/California sea lions\/csl-photo-by-bill-hunnewell-c-the-marine-mammal-center-12.jpg","alt":"two California sea lions","title":"Multi-Phase Muscle Breakdown in California Sea Lions","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/multi-phase-muscle-breakdown-in-california-sea-lions","label":"Research Paper"}
{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/Other species\/nz-sea-lion-shutterstock.jpg","alt":"New Zealand sea lion","title":"Tuberculosis in New Zealand Seals, Sea Lions and Dolphins","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/tuberculosis-in-new-zealand-seals-sea-lions-and-dolphins","label":"Research Paper"}
Recent News
{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/Harbor seals\/2013\/cropped-images\/hs-bogey-by-ingrid-overgard-c-the-marine-mammal-center-371-0-2712-2118-1607385758.jpg","alt":"harbor seal Bogey","title":"Top Holiday Gifts for Ocean Lovers","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/top-eco-friendly-holiday-gifts-that-give-back","label":"News Update","date":"2026-11-02 01:00:00"}
{"image":"\/People\/Action\/Volunteers\/cslpangorescuephoto-c-niko-panagopoulos-35.jpg","alt":"California sea lion rescue","title":"The Marine Mammal Center Responds to Largest Domoic Acid Outbreak in Its History","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/the-marine-mammal-center-responds-to-largest-domoic-acid-outbreak-in-its-history","label":"News Update","date":"2026-10-28 02:00:00"}
The Marine Mammal Center Responds to Largest Domoic Acid Outbreak in Its History
October 28, 2026
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/Humpback whale\/humpback-whale-spout-by-bill-hunnewell-c-the-marine-mammal-center.jpg","alt":"Humpback whale spout","title":"A Collaboration to Protect Whales and Support California\u2019s Dungeness Crab Fishery","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/collaboration-to-protect-whales-and-support-californias-dungeness-crab-fishery","label":"Press Release","date":"2026-10-22 02:00:00"}
A Collaboration to Protect Whales and Support California’s Dungeness Crab Fishery
October 22, 2026
Read More{"image":"\/People\/Action\/Response\/cropped-images\/c-common-dolphin93026cuesta-inlet-in-morro-bayphoto-c-the-marine-mammal-center-noaa-mmhsrp-24359-0-399-1270-992-1790883642.jpg","alt":"Stranded dolphin response","title":"Three Common Dolphins Freed from Mudflats in Morro Bay","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/three-common-dolphins-freed-from-mudflats-in-morro-bay","label":"News Update","date":"2026-10-02 02:00:00"}