ResearchPET AND CAPTIVE BIRDS AS POTENTIAL RESERVOIRS OF ZOONOTIC BACTERIA
Section snippets
Materials and Methods
From March to December 2015, fecal and cloacal samples (depending on the bird size) were collected from 42 different species of pet/captive birds (Table 1) belonging to the following orders: Passeriformes, Psittaciformes, Accipitriformes, Falconiformes, and Strigiformes. A total of 151 birds were sampled for thermophilic Campylobacter spp. and 444 for Salmonella spp. (Table 1). Birds were kept in private collections and breeding centers across Northern Italy. None of the birds showed evidence
Results
Out of 151 birds screened for Campylobacter spp., 6 (4%) were positive for C. jejuni and all were birds of prey: 2 Buteo regalis, 2 Parabuteo unicinctus, 1 Falco peregrinus and 1 Strix aluco. In detail, the prevalence was 9.4% (6/64 birds of prey): 28.6% (4/14) Accipitriformes, 2.2% (1/45) Falconiformes, and 20% (1/5) Strigiformes (p < 0.01). Out of 444 birds examined for Salmonella spp., 1 (0.23%) Falconidae hybrid (F. cherrug X F. rusticolus) was positive for S. Livingstone, with a prevalence
Discussion
This study was undertaken in order to understand whether pet birds and captive birds of prey might harbor important zoonotic bacteria, such as Campylobacter and Salmonella spp. Although several different avian species were sampled, only birds of prey were found to be positive to both microorganisms.
Salmonella and C. jejuni have been previously reported in raptors8, 11; however, these studies were carried out on free-living birds. In the present study, 6 birds belonging to the same private
Conclusion
In conclusion, birds of prey are susceptible to exposure to thermophilic Campylobacter spp. (with C. jejuni predominant) and Salmonella spp. and subsequent subclinical infection. The exposure to these organisms may be exacerbated due to their outdoor housing and carnivorous diet. Furthermore, results of this survey suggest that these birds and humans may share common sources of Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella spp. exposure. Although none of the bacteria appears to be commonly identified in
Acknowledgments
The Authors wish to thank Prof Angela Trocino (University of Padua, Italy) for performing statistical analysis and Dr Veronica Cibin (National Reference Laboratory for Salmonellosis, IZSVe, Legnaro (PD), Italy) for serotyping the Salmonella isolate.
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