Bacterial resistance to antimicrobials has been a major public health concern in recent years. The indiscriminate use of antimicrobials in human healthy, animal medicine and agriculture, greatly contributes to this condition. In last decade, several living organisms contaminated/infected with these antibiotic-resistant microorganisms, especially captive and wild birds, has been identified. Since birds have the ability to reach long distances through flight, especially wild birds, these animals can become agents of disseminated infection and are being considered reservoirs of resistance genes. In this context, this mini-review aims to shed light on recent findings related to the degree of contamination of these animals with resistant microorganisms as well as their potential as vectors of disease agents.

The aim of this preliminary study was to identify microorganisms with antimicrobial resistance profile and biofilm producers in oropharynx of Rupornis magnirostris and Caracara plancus. Six R. magnirostris and six C. plancus maintained in Triage Center for Wild Animals (CETAS) facilities were studied. Coagulase-positive staphylococci (CoPS), enterobacteria, and yeasts were identified by the biochemical analysis or MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The resistance profile of the microorganisms was analyzed according to CLSI. The biofilm production was evaluated by Congo red and violet crystal staining methods. Among the 12 birds, 10 presented strains of CoPS and/or enterobacteria with resistance profile, such as methicillin-resistant CoPS (MR-CoPS), vancomycin-resistant CoPS (VR-CoPS), extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL), and Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase- (KPC-) producing bacteria. Regards the fungal analysis, Candida spp., Cryptococcus spp., Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, R. glutinis, and Trichosporon coremiiforme were identified. All the Trichosporon coremiiforme strains were resistant to amphotericin B, as well as all the Rhodotorula mucilaginosa exhibited resistance to fluconazole. Related to the biofilm production, among the 8 CoPS, 27 enterobacteria, and 10 yeasts isolates, 3, 16, and 7 strains were biofilm producers, respectively. Thus, the presence of these microorganisms in birds of prey is worrisome, highlighting its possible influence in the spread of infections in urban centers.

Análise histomorfométrica do fígado e pâncreas de três espécies de aves de rapina: Caracara plancus, Rupornis magnirostris e Coragyps atratusHistomorphometric analysis of the liver and pancreas of three species of birds of prey: Caracara plancus, Rupornis magnirostris and Coragyps atratus

O conhecimento da morfologia macro e microscópica do trato intestinal do gavião de beira de estrada (Rupornis magniostris) pode trazer uma maior compreensão de seus hábitos alimentares, e auxiliar nas informações sobre as relações interespecíficas, uma vez que essas aves são predadores de topo, sendo importantes agentes bióticos na manutenção dos ecossistemas. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste estudo foi analisar morfologicamente o trato intestinal do gavião-carijó. Para a análise foram utilizadas doze espécimes (seis para morfometria e seis para histologia). Os animais foram sacrificados para retirada do trato intestinal. Foi feito um corte para a divisão das porções e o material utilizado para a morfometria foi pesado em balança de precisão e medido em paquímetro de aço. As porções utilizadas para análise histológica foram processadas de forma padronizada utilizando-se os corantes hematoxilina e eosina e ácido periódico de Schiff. O gavião-carijó tem o trato intestinal semelhante ao das aves em geral, mas com ceco vestigial. O trato intestinal apresentou-se mais pesado e com a porção cólon/reto/cloacas mais longa que outras aves do mesmo grupo. Os intestinos apresentam epitélio colunar simples com microvilosidades, rico em células caliciformes e lâmina própria espessa, formando vilosidades alongadas. Ceco com grandes centros germinativos e na cloaca uma zona de transição epitelial tornando-se epitélio estratificado escamoso queratinizado. Assim, conclui-se que o trato intestinal do gavião-carijó possui características morfológicas e histológicas únicas que estão correlacionadas com seu comportamento e hábitos alimentares.

Introduction The enlarged parietal foramen (EPF) is a defect in the ossification of the parietal bone that is well described in the literature using a variety of nomenclatures. Individuals with EPF can present symptoms such as migraines, vomiting and intense pain when light pressure is applied to the skull. However, it can go unnoticed for a lifetime. Materials and Methods At the Human Bone Collection department of the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, 2 craniums (CAV 90, 96 years old and CAV 16, 81 years old) and were identified as having EPF, both from females. Results There was no apparent kinship between both craniums. The sagittal length, the coronal width, the sagittal suture distance, the coronal suture distance and the lambdoid suture distance of each enlarged parietal foramen were evaluated, with the following results: sagittal length: 5.5 cm (CAV 90), and 5.0 cm (CAV 16); coronal width: 3.1 cm (CAV 90),and 3.4 cm (CAV 16); sagittal suture distance: 2.9 cm (CAV 90), and 2.3 cm (CAV 16); coronal suture distance: 1.8 cm (CAV 90), and 4.6 cm (CAV 16); and lambdoid suture distance: 5.0 cm (CAV 90), and 3.0 cm (CAV 16). The parietal foramen of both craniums exhibited equivalent measurements. Conclusion Due to the low incidence of EPF, the identification of the 2 craniums with this condition in a collection of 105 skeletons makes the discovery relevant. In reference to craniums exhibiting EPF, this is an important tool for study and forensic research, since its appearance is linked to heredity.