Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Commensal E. coli Isolated from Wild Birds in Umbria (Central Italy)

Abstract

The role of wildlife, including birds, in antimicrobial resistance is nowadays a speculative topic for the scientific community as they could be spreaders/sources of antimicrobial resistance genes. In this respect, we aimed to investigate the antimicrobial susceptibility of 100 commensal Escherichia coli strains, isolated from wild birds from an Umbrian rescue centre and admitted to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Perugia (Central Italy) mainly for traumatic injuries. The possible presence of Salmonella spp. and ESBL-producing E. coli was also estimated. The highest prevalence of resistance was observed for ampicillin (85%) and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (47%), probably due to their extensive use in human and veterinary medicine. Seventeen out of the one hundred E. coli isolates (17%) displayed a multidrug-resistance profile, including the beta-lactam category, with the most common resistance patterns to three or four classes of antibiotics. Resistance to ciprofloxacin, cefotaxime and ceftazidime exhibited values of 18%, 17% and 15%, respectively. Eight out of the hundred E. coli isolates (8%) were ESBL and seven showed multidrug resistance profiles. Salmonella spp. was not isolated. Resistance to third-generation cephalosporins, also detected in long-distance migratory birds, suggests the need for monitoring studies to define the role of wild birds in antimicrobial resistance circuits.

Multidrug-Resistant Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL)-Producing Escherichia coli in a Dairy Herd: Distribution and Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles

“…ESBL-producing Escherichia coli is a common occurrence in dairy cattle, with the highest incidence observed in calves [ 8 , 9 ]. Food-producing animals acquire AMR microorganisms due to several factors such as antibiotic use, forage, soil, water [ 3 ], interaction with wildlife [ 10 , 11 ], and by contact with humans [ 12 , 13 ]. AMR bacteria colonizing the animal gastrointestinal tract are shed in feces, thus favoring intra-farm spread and maintenance as well as environmental contamination via farm waste products, including untreated wastewater, sewage sludge, and organic fertilizers such as manure [ 3 , 14 , 15 ].…”