Frequency of zoonotic bacteria among illegally traded wild birds in Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

The illegal wildlife trade may increase the risk of infectious disease transmission, and it may not only cause disease outbreaks in humans but also threaten livestock, native wild populations, and ecosystems’ health. Bird species may act as carriers in the transmission of enteric pathogens. However, epidemiological studies on zoonotic bacteria in wild birds are rare in Brazil. From March 2011 to March 2012, we investigated the frequency of Enterobacteriaceae in cloacal swab samples from 109 birds of the passerine and Psittacidae families. These birds were recovered from illegal trade in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and sent to a rehabilitation center. Gram-negative bacteria were isolated from 86 wild birds (78.9%). A mean (±SD) of 1.68 (±1.30) different bacterial species were isolated per bird, with a maximum of five bacterial species from three bird species. The most frequently isolated bacteria were Escherichia coli, followed by Enterobacter spp., Klebsiella pneumoniae and other enteric bacteria. Salmonella ser. Typhimurium was isolated from a Temminck's seedeater (Sporophila falcirostris), and two Salmonella ser. Panama were isolated from two specimens of chestnut-capped blackbird (Chrysomus ruficapillus). Of the 70 selected bacterial isolates, 60 exhibited antibiotic resistance. The resistance patterns varied from one to nine of the antibiotics tested. Resistance to ceftiofur was the most prevalent, followed by ampicillin and ceftriaxone. The dissemination potential of resistant strains in situations typically seen in the management of captive birds may become a problem for the conservation of natural bird populations and for public health.

Understanding the motivations for keeping wild birds in the semi-arid region of Brazil

“…Rural respondents capture birds throughout the year but prefer the rainy season because it is the breeding period for most birds when there is abundant food for many species, especially the genus Sporophila , members of which have been reported as caged birds in several studies in Brazil [ 1 , 18 , 33 , 54 , 61 , 64 , 85 ]. Among the species captured or sold for bird-keeping, males are the most sought after because they have greater singing capacity and more beautiful plumage than females.…”

Bactérias zoonóticas isoladas de Passeriformes silvestres recuperados do tráfico de animais no estado do Ceará/Brasil

“…Outros estudos envolvendo pesquisa de E. coli de suabes cloacais em aves provenientes do comércio ilegal trazem resultados diversificados quanto ao percentual de isolamento. Matias et al (2016) Neste estudo, todos os suabes cloacais realizados nos Passeriformes do Cetas/CE foram negativos para Salmonella spp. Apesar da ausência do patógeno, os cuidados sanitários não devem ser descartados, visto que, em determinadas circunstâncias, essa bactéria pode ser eliminada nas fezes das aves de maneira intermitente (Lopes et al, 2014).…”

“…Adicionalmente, as pesquisas de suabes cloacais envolvendo Salmonella em pássaros resgatados do tráfico mostram que a ocorrência desse microrganismo é baixa. Matias et al (2016) investigaram pássaros mantidos no Cetas de Seropédica (RJ) e observaram a presença de apenas uma cepa (0,97%) de Salmonella ser. Typhimurium, isolada de espécime de Sporophila falcirostris, e duas cepas de Salmonella ser.…”

“…Nesse contexto, a adoção de práticas que visem à segurança sanitária, como a realização de exames bacteriológicos, é fundamental, pois as aves provenientes do tráfico passam por situações estressantes e são mantidas em ambientes insalubres, condições as quais favorecem a contaminação oral-fecal dos espécimes por bactérias da família Enterobacteriaceae, devido ao potencial e ao patogênico zoonótico, Salmonella spp. e Escherichia coli, especialmente as cepas diarreiogênicas (EPEC, STEC, EIEC, EAEC, ETEC), as quais possuem grande relevância para a saúde pública (Marietto-Gonçalves et al, 2010;Braconaro et al, 2015;Matias et al, 2016).…”

Antibiotic resistance assessment in bacteria isolated in migratory Passeriformes transiting through the Metaponto territory (Basilicata, Italy)

“…and Escherichia coli have been isolated (Hubàlek 2004;Benskin et al 2009;Guenther et al 2010;Matias et al 2016). This result might partially be explained because of diet, as these species were most commonly found in surveys of omnivorous birds as well as carnivorous birds (Bangert et al 1988), whereas graminivorous birds, such as many passerines, had much lower prevalence (Glunder 1981;Brittingham et al 1988;Steele et al 2005).…”