Raoultella ornithinolytica Isolation in Cloacal Microbiota of Tinamus solitarius: Preliminary Data

Abstract

Raoultella ornithinolytica is a gram-negative aerobic bacterium belonging to Enterobacteriaceae family, an emerging pathogen that causes several pathogenic conditions in man, with little veterinary importance; however, its identification is underestimated by conventional laboratory techniques. The present study reports the identification of R. ornithinolytica in Tinamus solitaries, during a routine sanitary evaluation of aerobic enterobacteria in cloacal microbiota of birds belonging to the Güira Oga Center, Puerto Iguazu, Argentina. The sample was preliminary classified as Klebsiella spp.; however, after the use of the MALDI-TOF MS technique it was identified as R. ornithinolytica. The sample was submitted to an antimicrobial susceptibility test, where it showed a similar pattern profile as reported in the literature, with resistance to ampicillin and other β-lactam antibiotics. It is possible that Raoultella spp are more common in birds as it is reported. Therefore, review studies on bacteria collections of avian origin, as well as cases with confirmation of Klebsiella, should be deeply evaluated in laboratorial routine, mainly due to the pathogenic potential of R. ornithinolytica for Poultry, as well as for public health.

Case Report: Multidrug Resistant Raoultella ornithinolytica in a Septicemic Calf

“…To the best of our knowledge, septicemia caused by R. ornithinolytica, has not been described in other mammals. Though the veterinary importance of this bacterium seemed limited in the past, it has been isolated in feces of fish, ticks, termites, birds, pigs and turtles, as well as a case of pneumonia from the latter species (9)(10)(11)(12)(13). In cattle, Raoultella species have been isolated from rumen and manure samples (14).…”

January-July

“…The genus Raoultella contains four species; R. ornithinolytica, Raoultella planticola, Raoultella terrigena, and Raoultella electrica [26,37]. The only way to achieve reliable identification of R. ornithinolytica and other species of Raoultella is by applying supplemental biochemical tests and/or using Analytical Profile Index E20 and Matrix-Assisted Laser-Desorption Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry [13,16,20,33,38,39]. It is oxidase-negative and catalase-positive and grows at low temperatures using sorbose as a source of carbon [3,6,31].…”

“…For instance, it has been detected in the cloacal samples of apparent healthy vulture [14] and in a case of hepatitis in ring-neck [12]. In addition, R. ornithinolytica has been described during a routine evaluation of aerobic enterobacteria in cloacal microbiota of birds in Argentina [16]. Mallard ducks also have been found to harbor R. ornithinolytica in their intestines and could act as a reservoir for this bacterium [13].…”

“…The role of R. ornithinolytica in animal infection has not yet been well studied. Some reports showed isolation of this pathogen from wild and domestic birds [12][13][14][15][16][17]. Moreover, R. ornithinolytica is a potent histamine producer [18,19], so it became a pathogen of great importance in food products.…”

A spotlight on Raoultella ornithinolytica: A newly emerging life-threatening zoonotic pathogen

“…The role of R. ornithinolytica in animal infection has not yet been well studied. Some reports showed isolation of this pathogen from wild and domestic birds [12][13][14][15][16][17]. Moreover, R. ornithinolytica is a potent histamine producer [18,19], so it became a pathogen of great importance in food products.…”