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

Abstract

We surveyed healthy captive cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) for Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. Cloacal swabs were collected from 94 cockatiels kept in commercial breeders, private residencies and pet shops in the cities of São Paulo/SP and Niterói/RJ (Brazil). Three strains of E. coli from each individual were tested for the presence of ExPEC-, APEC- and DEC-related genes. We evaluated the bla, bla, bla, bla, bla, tetA, tetB, aadA, aphA, strAB, sul1, sul2, sul3, qnrA, qnrD, qnrB, qnrS, oqxAB, aac (6)'-Ib-cr, qepA resistance genes and markers for plasmid incompatibility groups. Salmonella spp. was not detected. E. coli was isolated in 10% of the animals (9/94). Four APEC genes (ironN, ompT, iss and hlyF) were detected in two strains (2/27-7%), and iss (1/27-4%) in one isolate. The highest resistance rates were observed with amoxicillin (22/27-82%), ampicillin (21/27-79%), streptomycin (18/27-67%), tetracycline (11/27-41%). Multiresistance was verified in 59% (16/27) of the isolates. We detected strAB, bla, tetA, tetB, aadA, aphaA, sul1, sul2, sul3 resistance genes and plasmid Inc groups in 20 (74%) of the strains. E. coli isolated from these cockatiels are of epidemiological importance, since these pets could transmit pathogenic and multiresistant microorganisms to humans and other animals.

Occurrence of KPC-Producing Escherichia coli in Psittaciformes Rescued from Trafficking in Paraíba, Brazil

“…The bla KPC gene has already been reported among E. coli from different bird species belonging to the Columbiformes, Passeriformes, Charadriiformes, Accipitriformes, Falconiformes and Strigiformes orders [ 23 ]. In Brazil, Pontes et al [ 24 ] detected the resistance genes str AB, bla TEM, tet A, tet B, aad A, apha A, sul 1, sul 2, and sul 3 associated with plasmids in cloacal avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) strains from Nymphicus hollandicus in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Cloacal E. coli from Pyrrhura griseipectus was phenotypically resistant to azithromycin, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, streptomycin and tetracycline [ 25 ].…”

Diverse Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles Across Phylogroups of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Isolates in Companion Birds

“…Horn et al (36) found that 55.7% of members of Enterobacteriaceae family isolated from canaries were MDR (36). Furthermore, Pontes et al (37) measured the total rate of MDR incidence in E. coli and salmonella spp. isolated from cockatiels to be 59% (37).…”

“…Furthermore, Pontes et al (37) measured the total rate of MDR incidence in E. coli and salmonella spp. isolated from cockatiels to be 59% (37). Regarding resistance against penicillin and erythromycin, both of which are common antibiotics for various human infections, 100% of STEC isolates in the study showed resistance, which should be considered an alarm.…”

Antimicrobial susceptibility profile of enterobacteria isolated from wild grey-breasted parakeets (Pyrrhura griseipectus)

“…In parrots from trafficking, Hidasi et al (2013) observed higher rates, as 23.5% of the samples were multiresistant to three antibiotic groups and 2.32% to four antibiotic groups. In captive cockatiels (an exotic species in Brazil), 30% of the isolates were resistant to seven or more antibiotics, and 59% of the strains were resistant to multiple drugs (Pontes et al 2018). The results of resistance to one or more antibiotics in free-living P. griseipectus may suggest that at some point, these birds have had contact with resistant strains or antibiotic residues in the environment, considering that these birds are not subjected to antibiotic therapy.…”