Microorganisms Resistant to Antimicrobials in Wild Canarian Egyptian Vultures (Neophron percnopterus majorensis)

Abstract

Due to their predatory habits, raptors may serve as indicators of the presence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in the environment, but they also represent a public health risk for livestock and humans because they can act as reservoirs, sources and spreaders of these bacteria. Our objective was to determine the presence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in cloacal samples of Canarian Egyptian vultures (Neophron percnopterus majorensis), an endemic bird of prey. One hundred and forty-two cloacal swabs were obtained; Escherichia coli was isolated from 80.28% and Salmonella from 6.3% of these samples. Low levels of susceptibility to ampicillin, tetracycline and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole were found. About 20% of the isolates were resistant or presented intermediate susceptibility to fluoroquinolones. Surprisingly, we found isolates resistant to imipenem (6.96%). Isolates from chicks were more susceptible to antimicrobial drugs than adult and immature birds. About 50% of E. coli isolates were resistant to ampicillin, tetracycline and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, and about 20% to piperacillin, enrofloxacin and marbofloxacin. High percentages of isolates of Salmonella were found to be resistant to cephalexin (88%) and aminoglycosides (greater than 77%). Our results support the idea that raptors could act as reservoirs of Salmonella and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, posing a risk not only to wildlife but also to livestock and the human population, thus reinforcing the need to minimize the exposure of wildlife to antimicrobial agent through human and livestock waste.

Multidrug-Resistant Phenotypes of Escherichia coli Isolates in Wild Canarian Egyptian Vultures (Neophron percnopterus majorensis)

“…We found a statistically lower probability of MDR-E. coli isolation in chicks in nests compared to all other animals. As we have previously proposed [28], the differences could be due to the fact that chicks in nests have been exposed to resistant bacteria or environmental antimicrobial residues for less time than adult and immature birds.…”

“…In a previous manuscript [28], the percentages of resistance to different antibiotics in bacteria isolated from vulture cloacal swabs were analysed. The coincidence of resistance to several antibiotics in the same isolate was not studied, so multidrug resistance phenotypes were not described.…”

Assessment and Antibiotic Resistance Profiling in Vibrio Species Isolated from Wild Birds Captured in Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, Romania

“…Wild birds have been not only postulated, but also demonstrated, as sentinels, reservoirs, and potential spreaders of antibiotic resistance [ 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 ]. Based on the results recorded by these authors, solid scientific evidence indicates the significant epidemiological role of wild birds in the dissemination of multidrug-resistant bacteria through migration.…”

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

“…Moreover, R. ornithinolytica isolate was found in the droppings of the migratory common crane in Slovakia [15]. Recently, in Spain, R. ornithinolytica has been isolated from wild Canarian Egyptian vultures after feeding on fish [17].…”

“…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.…”