Juan Pablo Arias Marmolejo

Mr. Juan Pablo Arias Marmolejo

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
11 November 2025 in Applied Microbiology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ASAnyelo Imanol Florez Sanchez
Anyelo Imanol Florez Sanchez
APAngie Patiño-Montoya
Angie Patiño-Montoya
HFHernán David Flórez-Ríos
Hernán David Flórez-Ríos
MPMadelaine Piedrahita
Madelaine Piedrahita
JMJuan Pablo Arias Marmolejo
Juan Pablo Arias Marmolejo
ACAndres Castillo
Andres Castillo
The microbiome of howler monkeys is being studied as a potential indicator of forest health. This explorative research aimed to analyze the microbiome, antibiotic resistance genes, and virulence factors of the howler monkey (Alouatta seniculus) in two Colombian Andean forests. A total of six samples were collected from three monkeys in two different forests. The samples were processed and sequenced using 16S rRNA V3-V4 metabarcoding and shotgun metagenomics. No significant differences in microbial diversity were observed between locations. A total of 43 possible resistance genes were identified, 11 of which were associated with plasmids, while 66 virulence genes were detected. The bacterial genera with the highest number of resistance genes were Escherichia and Enterococcus, whereas Escherichia and Citrobacter exhibited the highest number of virulence factors. The bacteria were predominantly resistant to fluoroquinolones, macrolides and beta-lactams, while adherence was the dominant virulence mechanism. This exploratory study suggests that the locations provide similar habitats for howler monkeys and that the presence of resistance genes is primarily due to intrinsic bacterial resistance mechanisms and natural resistance in wild populations despite the environmental presence of bacterial genera with resistance genes and virulence factors. However, acquisition through interaction with domestic animals was not evaluated.