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PET AND CAPTIVE BIRDS AS POTENTIAL RESERVOIRS OF ZOONOTIC BACTERIA

https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jepm.2017.10.017Get rights and content

Abstract

Thermophilic Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella spp. are zoonotic bacteria, commonly harbored in the enteric tract of avian species. This survey aimed at verifying the presence of these microorganisms in a heterogeneous Italian population of pet birds and captive birds of prey (e.g., Passeriformes, Psittaciformes, Accipitriformes, Falconiformes, and Strigiformes) that live in close contact with humans. A total of 151 individuals were tested for thermophilic Campylobacter spp. and 444 for Salmonella spp. Six C. jejuni and one S. Livingstone were isolated from birds of prey: 4 Accipitriformes (2 Buteo regalis, 2 Parabuteo unicinctus), 1 Falconiformes (Falco peregrinus) and 1 Strigiformes (Strix aluco) were positive for C. jejuni, and 1 Falconiformes (Falco peregrinus) for S. Livingstone. Five C. jejuni strains were genotyped by Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) and identified as ST 2116, assigned to ST-353 CC. Results of this study suggest that these microorganisms are not common inhabitants of the digestive tract of pet birds and captive birds of prey, but occasional findings. However, as potential reservoirs of zoonotic bacteria, pet birds should be monitored in order to preserve human health.

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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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    Zoonotic diseases of pet bird origin are relatively neglected compared to foodborne zoonoses [2]. In order to understand the potential risk posed by contact with pet birds, their role as reservoirs for bacterial zoonoses requires investigation [3]. Increased antimicrobial resistance of zoonotic bacteria has been documented, and pet animals are considered a potential source for the transmission of multidrug-resistant (MDR) zoonotic bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) [4].

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