Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Bacterial Pathogens in a Population of Zoo Animals

Abstract

Faecal prevalence of gastrointestinal bacterial pathogens, including Campylobacter, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella, Shigella, Yersinia, as well as Arcobacter, were examined in 317 faecal specimens from 44 animal species in Belfast Zoological Gardens, during July-September 2006. Thermophilic campylobacters including Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter lari, were the most frequently isolated pathogens, where members of this genus were isolated from 11 animal species (11 of 44; 25%). Yersinia spp. were isolated from seven animal species (seven of 44; 15.9%) and included, Yersinia enterocolitica (five of seven isolates; 71.4%) and one isolate each of Yersinia frederiksenii and Yersinia kristensenii. Only one isolate of Salmonella was obtained throughout the entire study, which was an isolate of Salmonella dublin (O 1,9,12: H g, p), originating from tiger faeces after enrichment. None of the animal species found in public contact areas of the zoo were positive for any gastrointestinal bacterial pathogens. Also, water from the lake in the centre of the grounds, was examined for the same bacterial pathogens and was found to contain C. jejuni. This study is the first report on the isolation of a number of important bacterial pathogens from a variety of novel host species, C. jejuni from the red kangaroo (Macropus rufus), C. lari from a maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus), Y. kristensenii from a vicugna (Vicugna vicugna) and Y. enterocolitica from a maned wolf and red panda (Ailurus fulgens). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the faeces of animals in public contact areas of the zoo were not positive for the bacterial gastrointestinal pathogens examined. This is reassuring for the public health of visitors, particularly children, who enjoy this educational and recreational resource.

Taxonomy, Epidemiology, and Clinical Relevance of the Genus Arcobacter

“…In one of these studies, the histological examination of the enteric tissues of the infected animals revealed a chronic active colitis (7). In other cases, the strains recovered showed a strong resistance to antibiotics (63,141). Despite these data, the significance of arcobacters as a pathogen in nonhuman primates has yet to be determined.…”

“…In several studies A. butzleri has so far been the only species isolated both from healthy nonhuman primates (131,141,164) and from those with diarrhea (7,63,92). In one of these studies, the histological examination of the enteric tissues of the infected animals revealed a chronic active colitis (7).…”

Extended spectrum beta-lactamase and fluoroquinolone resistance genes and plasmids amongEscherichia coliisolates from zoo animals, Czech Republic

“…A number of studies have been focused on MDR Escherichia coli derived from humans, wild, domesticated or food animals and from the environment (Literak et al ., ; Dolejska et al ., , b; Platell et al ., ). Captive animals in zoological gardens can serve as a reservoir of antibiotic‐resistant pathogenic bacteria such as Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., Yersinia spp., and pathogenic E. coli strains (Gopee et al ., ; Stirling et al ., ). A high frequency of resistance including ESBL production and the presence of PMQR genes was found in E. coli isolated from zoo animals in Japan and China (Ahmed et al ., ; Wang et al ., ).…”

Arcobacter: an emerging food-borne zoonotic pathogen, its public health concerns and advances in diagnosis and control – a comprehensive review

“…A. butzleri has been the only Arcobacter spp. isolated from both diarrheic as well as healthy nonhuman primates (Wesley et al 2003;Stirling et al 2008). Microscopic examination of the intestines from these non-human primates revealed chronic active colitis (Anderson et al 1993).…”