Free-Ranging Frigates (Fregata magnificens) of the Southeast Coast of Brazil Harbor Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli Resistant to Antimicrobials

Abstract

Seabirds may be responsible for the spread of pathogenic/resistant organisms over great distances, playing a relevant role within the context of the One World, One Health concept. Diarrheagenic E. coli strains, known as STEC (shiga toxin-producing E. coli), and the extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC and the subpathotype APEC), are among the E. coli pathotypes with zoonotic potential associated with the birds. In order to identify health threats carried by frigates and to evaluate the anthropic influence on the southern coast of Brazil, the aim of this work was to characterize E. coli isolated from free-ranging frigates in relation to virulence genotypes, serotypes, phylogenetic groups and antimicrobial resistance. Cloacal and choanal swabs were sampled from 38 Fregata magnificens from two oceanic islands and one rescue center. Forty-three E. coli strains were recovered from 33 out of the 38 birds (86.8%); 88.4% of strains showed some of the virulence genes (VGs) searched, 48.8% contained three or more VGs. None of the strains presented VGs related to EPEC/STEC. Some of the isolates showed virulence genotypes, phylogenetic groups and serotypes of classical human ExPEC or APEC (O2:H7, O1:H6, ONT:H7, O25:H4). Regarding antimicrobial susceptibility, 62.8% showed resistance, and 11.6% (5/43) were multidrug-resistant. The E. coli present in the intestines of the frigates may reflect the environmental human impact on southeast coast of Brazil; they may also represent an unexplored threat for seabird species, especially considering the overlap of pathogenic potential and antimicrobial resistance present in these strains.

Bacteriological and Molecular Studies on Virulence Encoding Genes in Escherichia coli Isolated From Diseased Ducks

“…The fimH gene was successfully amplified in all examined serogroups giving a positive PCR product of 508 bp. These outcomes came in accordance with the finding previously recorded by (Maciel et al, 2016;Saviolli et al,2016 andAlizade et al,2017). Also, the tsh gene was successfully amplified in examined E. coli serogroups.…”

“…This outcome is higher compared to that previously obtained by (Wang et al, 2010) who found ibeA gene in a percentage of (10.6%) of APEC isolates and was not found in healthy ducks. In addition, these outcomes go in parallel with those previously obtained by (Saviolli et al, 2016) who detected ibeA in APEC. The highest amount of E. coli strains (72.72%) belong to group B1, followed by group A (27.27%).…”

“…The presented data in table 2 showed that, E. coli was recovered from 12/56 cloacal samples collected from 16 and 17 weeks of diseased ducks with diarrhea (reddish, whitish and yellowish diarrhea) in a percentage of 21.52%. This outcome is higher compared to that previously obtained by (Amin et al, 2013) and similar to obtained by (Shaaban, 2015), this result is lower compared to that obtained by (Moemen et al, 2014 andSaviolli et al, 2016) who isolated E. coli form 92.6% and 86.8% of the examined samples, respectively. The confirmed strains belonged to 7 different serogroups (O91, O113, O78, O2, O158, O128 and O26).…”

Molecular diagnosis of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli isolated from Psittaciformes of illegal wildlife trade

“…However, ETEC and EIEC related genes were not identified. In addition, Saviolli et al (2016) looked for the genes eaeA, stx1 e stx2 in free-living fragatas (Fregata magnificens) and did not detect EPEC or STEC genes.…”

Survey on pathogenic Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. in captive cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus)

“… 6 Recent studies in Brazil showed that free-ranging wild birds may harbor potentially pathogenic and antimicrobial resistant strains. 11 …”