Multidrug-resistant pathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from wild birds in a veterinary hospital

Author(s)

Borges, C. A. ^[1] ; Beraldo, L. G. ^[1] ; Maluta, R. P. ; Cardozo, M. V. ^[1] ; Barboza, K. B. ^[1] ; Guastalli, E. A. L. ; Kariyawasam, S. ; DebRoy, C. ^[2] ; Avila, F. A.

Affiliation

^[1] Adv Ctr Technol Res Poultry Agribusiness, Inst Biol, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Kariyawasam, S., Penn State Univ, Dept Vet & Biomed Sci, University Pk, PA 16802 - USA

^[2] Avila, F. A., Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Fac Agr \& Vet Sci, Dept Vet Pathol, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Maluta, R. P., State Univ Campinas UNICAMP, Inst Biol, Dept Genet Evolut \& Bioagents, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Guastalli, E. A. L., Adv Ctr Technol Res Poultry Ag - USA

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: AVIAN PATHOLOGY; v. 46, n. 1, p. 76-83, 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

Wild birds are carriers of Escherichia coli. However, little is known about their role as reservoirs for extra-intestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC). In this work we investigated E. coli strains carrying virulence genes related to human and animal ExPEC isolated from free-living wild birds treated in a veterinary hospital. Multidrug resistance was found in 47.4% of the strains, but none of them were extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producers. Not only the virulence genes, but also the serogroups (e.g. O1 and O2) detected in the isolates of E. coli have already been implicated in human and bird diseases. The sequence types detected were also found in wild, companion and food animals, environmental and human clinical isolates in different countries. Furthermore, from the 19 isolates, 17 (89.5%) showed a degree of pathogenicity on an in vivo infection model. The isolates showed high heterogeneity by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis indicating that E. coli from these birds are clonally diverse. Overall, the results showed that wild birds can be reservoirs and/or vectors of highly pathogenic and multidrug-resistant E. coli that have the potential to cause disease in humans and poultry. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 08/00417-0 - Biochemical, serological and genotypic characterization of Escherichia coli strains isolated from water, feces and carcass from sheep raised in São Paulo State, Brazil
• Grantee: Renato Pariz Maluta
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 10/12002-0 - Detection and characterization of STEC, EPEC and APEC in wild birds and pigeons in Jaboticabal-SP
• Grantee: Fernando Antonio de Avila
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 11/06467-2 - Detection and characterization of Escherichia coli (APEC) in wild birds and pigeons (Columba livia) in Jaboticabal-SP
• Grantee: Clarissa Araújo Borges
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate