Prevalence and genomic characteristics of zoonotic gastro-intestinal pathogens and ESBL/pAmpC producing Enterobacteriaceae among Swedish corvid birds

Abstract

Introduction: Wild birds pose a potential threat to animal and human health by spreading infectious diseases. In the present study, we studied the occurrence of bacterial zoonotic pathogens as well as enterobacteria with transferrable antimicrobial resistance genes among Swedish corvids. Materials and methods: Intestines from 66 jackdaws, crows, rooks and magpies from the vicinity of livestock farms at 14 locations in 7 counties were analysed by direct culture or PCR screening followed by culture. Isolates were investigated by whole-genome sequencing. Results and discussion: Campylobacter jejuni were detected in 82% and Yersinia in 3% of the birds. ESBL-producing E. coli were found in one sample (2%) and carried bla CTX-M-55. No Enterobacteriaceae with transferable carbapenem resistance were identified. No Salmonella or E. coli O157:H7 were found, but PCR analysis for enterohaemorrhagic E. coli virulence genes revealed 35% positive samples for intimin, 9% for verotoxin 1 and 17% for verotoxin 2. C. jejuni isolates from corvids were compared to previously published isolates from Swedish sources by multi-locus sequence typing based on genome sequences. All corvid C. jejuni isolates formed a cluster, intermingled with human and chicken isolates. Our results indicate that C. jejuni is ubiquitous among Swedish corvid birds, with sporadic transmission to poultry and humans.

Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Enteropathogenic Bacteria in Yellow-Legged Gulls (Larus michahellis) in Southern Italy

“…Another explanation which could be explored is the presence of other potential reservoirs, raised by humans or wild (e.g., chickens, pigeons, corvids, etc. ), sharing the same environment inhabited by the gulls [ 18 , 31 , 32 , 33 ].…”

“…Samples were processed in order to isolate Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., STEC, and Yersinia spp., following the methods described by the ISO procedures and Söderlund et al [ 16 , 17 , 18 ], with minor modifications (detailed below).…”

Occurrence of Campylobacter spp. in Swedish calves, common sequence types and antibiotic resistance patterns

“…Oland hosts many migratory wild birds that could be colonized with Campylobacter and contribute to bacterial spread to other individuals (Broman et al 2004;S€ oderlund et al 2019). Migratory wild birds can also transfer antimicrobial resistance through horizontal gene transfer (Sj€ olund et al2008).…”

American Crows as Carriers of Extra Intestinal Pathogenic E. coli and Avian Pathogenic-Like E. coli and Their Potential Impact on a Constructed Wetland

“…Wild birds, including crows, can act as reservoirs and also be vectors in the spread of pathogens that are capable of causing diseases in both humans and animals [ 1 , 2 ]. Several bacterial and viral infections have been linked to crows, including infection by West Nile Virus in both humans and avian species, human diarrhea due to Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., and E. coli, and sporadic cases of campylobacteriosis [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. Their feeding, foraging habits, and migratory behavior, can contribute to their ability to spread pathogens [ 2 ].…”