We investigated the presence of Salmonella in the green anole
(Anolis carolinensis), an invasive alien species on Chichi Island,
Japan. Samples were also collected from feral goats and public toilets on the island to
examine infectious routes. Salmonellae were isolated from 27.1% of 199
samples; 32.6% of 141 cloacal samples from anoles, 62.5% of 8 intestinal samples from
anole carcasses, 16.7% of 12 fecal samples from goats and 2.6% of 38 toilet bowl swabs.
The serotype of most isolates was Salmonella Oranienburg (94.4% of 54).
Although we did not confirm the infection pathways, our results indicated that green
anoles are a risk factor as a source of Salmonella for public health. It
is important to consider endemic pathogens that may be amplified by alien species within
their introduced areas.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an important issue for public, animal and environmental health. It has been suggested that livestock farms could be a source origin of AMR, and some wild animals that inhabit this area may play an important role in the spread of AMR in the natural environment. The prevalence of AMR in Escherichia coli was examined from Okinawa rails (Gallirallus okinawae), an endemic bird in Okinawa Main Island, Japan. Forty‐eight faecal samples of wild Okinawa rails were collected from around a livestock farm area (LA), near human settlements, in which a population of the Okinawa rail had newly inhabited for feeding, and a forest area (FA), their natural habitat. Among 16 E. coli‐positive faecal samples collected around LA, 11/16 (69%) showed antimicrobial resistance and five multiple drug resistance patterns were identified. However, among 15 E. coli‐positive faecal samples from FA, 3/15 (20%) showed antimicrobial resistance, and three multiple drug resistance patterns were identified. These results indicate that the endangered Okinawa rail may also play an important role as a potential vector for the spread of AMR in the natural environment. To maintain ecological health, it is imperative that in situ/ex situ conservation projects that include translocation plans for endangered species are aware of these data.
Avian malaria parasites (Plasmodium spp. and Haemoproteus spp.) and closely related parasitic Leucocytozoon spp. are observed in a variety of pigeons and doves (order: Columbiformes) worldwide. However the prevalence and molecular phylogeny of avian malaria parasites and Leucocytozoon spp. from pigeons and doves inhabiting Japan are still not known. This study clarified the prevalence of avian malaria parasites in Columbiformes in three locations (Kanto region, Okinawa, and Ogasawara) of Japan and estimated their molecular phylogeny. Blood samples were collected from 173 Japanese Columbiformes (5 species,
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