Survey of antimicrobial susceptibility in E. coli strains isolated from free-ranging birds in the Brazilian Southeastern coast, with special interest on genes codifying resistance to tetracycline

• Grant number: 10/51943-4
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: December 01, 2010 - May 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Vania Maria de Carvalho
• Grantee: Vania Maria de Carvalho
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências da Saúde (ICS). Universidade Paulista (UNIP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The dissemination of bacteria with genes codifying resistance to antibiotics is a major issue in Public and Animal health. The uncontrolled use of antibiotics affects both domestic animals and the man, imposing a clear environmental impact and, as a consequence, compromising the wildlife. Wild birds, especially migratory, are important carriers of resistant bacteria, once these animals act in multiple interfaces including other wild and domestic animals, human populations and different ecosystems. Therefore, migratory birds provide, even in an indirect way, an estimative on the "ecohealth" status of a given habitat. Escherichia coli is the main Enterobacteriaceae present in the intestinal tract and has been used as an indicator of resistance prevalence to antibiotics in animal population and/or geographic regions. Preliminary results obtained by our research group indicated that E. coli strains isolated from free ranging frigates (Fregata magnificens) of different natural breeding areas showed resistance to antimicrobial agents, especially tetracycline, one of the most commonly used antibiotic in veterinary medicine. The aim of the proposed project is to investigate the susceptibility/resistance to antimicrobial agents in E. coli isolated from selected free ranging healthy avian species from different areas along the Brazilian Southern coast, as well to study the corresponding distribution pattern of the genes codifying resistance to tetracycline in the studied isolates. Swabs of choana and cloaca will be seeded in MacConkey agar, and the isolates will be identified according to routine biochemical technique (EPM, MILi, Citrate). E. coli isolates will be tested to antimicrobial susceptibility according to the disk diffusion technique. DNA obtained from all E. coli isolates showing full or intermediate resistance to tetracycline will be submitted to PCR in order to investigate the genes tet (A), tet (B), tet (C), tet (D), tet (E) and tet (M). Phylogenetic classification will be achieved using PCR for the genes chuA and yjaA and for the TspE4.C2 fragment. Statistical analyses will be carried out considering sampling sites, avian species, tested antibiotics, detected genes codifying resistance to tetracycline and phylogenetic groups. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

SAVIOLLI, JULIANA YURI; VIEIRA CUNHA, MARCOS PAULO; LOPES GUERRA, MARIA FLAVIA; IRINO, KINUE; CATAO-DIAS, JOSE LUIZ; DE CARVALHO, VANIA MARIA. Free-Ranging Frigates (Fregata magnificens) of the Southeast Coast of Brazil Harbor Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli Resistant to Antimicrobials. PLoS One, v. 11, n. 2, FEB 4 2016. (10/20706-7, 10/51943-4)