Verocytotoxin-Producing Escherichia coli in Wild Birds and Rodents in Close Proximity to Farms

Abstract

Wild animals living close to cattle and pig farms (four each) were examined for verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC; also known as Shiga toxin-producing E. coli). The prevalence of VTEC among the 260 samples from wild animals was generally low. However, VTEC isolates from a starling (Sturnus vulgaris) and a Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) were identical to cattle isolates from the corresponding farms with respect to serotype, virulence profile, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis type. This study shows that wild birds and rodents may become infected from farm animals or vice versa, suggesting a possible role in VTEC transmission.

Animal Reservoirs of Shiga Toxin-ProducingEscherichia coli

“…These birds are attracted to farms since they can easily obtain a food source from animal feed. Nielsen et al identified that 2% of the wild bird fecal samples collected in close proximity to farms contained stx genes (108). Similar results were also obtained in England where 1.5% of wild bird samples had the stx1 gene, 7.9% the stx2 gene, and 4.9% the eae gene (109).…”

“…Rodents have also been identified as being capable of harboring STEC within their gastrointestinal flora (108,(136)(137)(138). STEC O157 and non-O157 STEC have been recovered from Rattus spp.…”

The role of a generalized ultraviolet cue for blackbird food selection

“…Similarly, bird management (e.g., UV-conditioned feeding behavior) is needed to protect human food and livestock feed from pathogens and zoonotic diseases currently associated with some wild birds [37][38][39][40]. Although it is probably no more meaningful to speak of "UV vision" in birds than to single out "blue vision" in humans [1], further experiments will be necessary to develop our understanding of UV vision associated with the sensory and behavioral ecology of wild birds within agronomic and natural environments.…”

Prevalence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli and pathogenic Leptospira spp. in rodents from outdoor farms in western Spain

“…Rodents presumably show a low prevalence of STEC; however, some authors consider that they may become infected from farm animals or vice versa (6).…”