Isolation of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica (O:4,5:i) and Salmonella enterica subsp. Typhimurium from free-living domestic pigeons (Columba livia)

Abstract

The present study reports the isolation of Salmonellaenterica in organs of free-living domestic pigeons. In the clinic examination, the presence of feces in the peri-cloacal and abdominal regions were observed, as well as symptoms such as cachexy, incoordination and opisthotonos. Before any therapeutic protocol was applied the bird died and a necropsy was then performed for the removal of spleen, liver, kidney and intestine for bacteriological examination and antibiotic sensitivity test. Salmonella enterica subsp.enterica (O:4,5:i-) and Salmonellaenterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium were isolated from the liver and intestine and the sensitivity test demonstrated that these strains are sensitive to several antibiotics.

Feral pigeons (Columba livia) as potential reservoirs of Salmonella sp. and Escherichia coli

“…Several studies report the isolation of Salmonella from free-living pigeons in different countries, such as Chile (GONZÁLEZ-ACUÑA, 2007), Brazil (ROCHA-E-SILVA et al, 2014;DE SOUSA et al, 2010), India (DUTTA et al, 2013a), Egypt (OSMAN et al, 2013), Norway (REFSUM et al, 2002), Italy (GARGIULO et al, 2014), Slovenia (DOVČ et al, 2004, and United States of America (PEDERSEN et al, 2006). Despite the constant discussion about the importance of isolating this pathogen from these birds, there is only one report of a transmission from pigeons to humans (LACASSIN et al, 1995).…”

“…Avian Pathogenic E. coli (APEC) is an extra-intestinal pathotype that is composed by strains that are a frequent cause of economic losses on poultry. However, a possible zoonotic risk from these strains has been suggested due to the genetic similarity with Uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) strains, which cause urinary infections in humans (RODRIGUEZ-SIEK et al, 2005;EWERS et al, 2007;MORA et al, 2012;. Although there are no reports of direct transmission of E. coli from pigeons to humans, the proximity with these birds reinforces the possibility of a zoonotic risk.…”

“…However, it is known that bacterial resistance to antibiotics is related to the excessive use of these drugs, especially when used in the wrong way, such as in protocols with short duration or low doses (WHO, 2001). Despite the fact that free-living birds do not have direct access to antibiotics, resistant strains are frequently isolated from these birds (NASCIMENTO et al, 2003;GIBBS et al, 2007;GAUKLER et al, 2009), including pigeons (SILVA et al, 2009;RADIMERSKY et al, 2010;DE SOUSA et al, 2010;DUTTA et al, 2013a;DUTTA et al, 2013b;OSMAN et al, 2013;ROCHA-E-SILVA et al, 2014). In addition, only a few studies involving wild birds far from human contact report resistant strains in their microbiota (NASCIMENTO et al, 2003).…”