Prevalence of multidrug resistance in Pseudomonas spp. isolated from wild bird feces in an urban aquatic environment

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been detected in the microbiota of wildlife, yet little is known about the origin and impact within the ecosystem. Due to the shortage of nonepizootic surveillance, there is limited understanding of the natural prevalence and circulation of AMR bacteria in the wild animal population, including avian species. In this surveillance study, feces from wild birds in proximity to the River Cam, Cambridge, England, were collected and Pseudomonas spp. were isolated. Of the 115 samples collected, 24 (20.9%; 95% CI, 12.6%‒29.2%) harbored Pseudomonas spp. of which 18 (75%; 95% CI, 58%‒92%) had a multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index greater than 0.2. No Pseudomonas spp. isolate in this study was pansusceptible. Resistance was found among the 24 isolates against ciprofloxacin (87.5%; 95% CI, 74.3%‒100%) and cefepime (83.3%; 95% CI, 68.4%‒98.2%), both of which are extensively used to treat opportunistic Pseudomonas spp. infections. The prevalence of Pseudomonas spp. in the wild bird feces sampled during this study is greater than previous, similar studies. Additionally, their multidrug resistance profile provides insight into the potential risk for ecosystem contamination. It further highlights the importance of a One Health approach, including ongoing surveillance efforts that help to develop the understanding of how wildlife, including avifauna, may contribute and disperse AMR across the ecosystem.

Prevalence and Phenotypic Antimicrobial Resistance among ESKAPE Bacteria and Enterobacterales Strains in Wild Birds

“…In particular, P. aeruginosa was detected, respectively, in 10.0% and in 18.3% of birds resident and migratory in line with our study where this bacterium species was the most represented of the ESKAPE group, with a total prevalence of 11.1% (95% CI 6.85–17.1%). In contrast, a recent study conducted in England by Rodrigues et al [ 36 ], reported the presence of Pseudomonas spp. in fecal samples from wild birds with a prevalence of 20.9%, with P. aeruginosa detected in only one bird.…”

Microbial Dynamics of a Specialty Italian Raw Ewe’s Milk Cheese Curdled with Extracts from Spontaneous and Cultivated Onopordum tauricum Willd

“…As a general trend, counts of CE_ct were significantly lower than those of the extract from spontaneous O. tauricum (CE_st). For Enterobacteriaceae, coliforms, and Pseudomonadaceae, viable counts of CE_ct < 1 Log cfu g −1 suggest a higher hygienic quality of these extracts compared to those prepared from spontaneous O. tauricum (CE_st); this finding might be tentatively ascribed to the differences in the management of cultivated fields than pastures or fallow lands, more often accessed or grazed by wild animals or even livestock, whose feces are known to harbor the aforementioned microorganisms [ 45 , 46 ]. In this regard, recent comparative metagenomic analyses also highlighted the strong influence of farming practices on taxonomic and functional diversity of phyllosphere microbes [ 47 ].…”

Genomic Characteristics and Molecular Epidemiology of Multidrug-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Strains Carried by Wild Birds

“…Studies have shown that wild birds can carry extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) encoded by bla CTX-M and bla SHV from mainly highly pathogenic multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli ( 32 – 34 ), K. pneumoniae ( 35 ), Pseudomonas spp. ( 36 ), and Campylobacter jejuni ( 37 ) strains. Therefore, wild birds have become an important reservoir host for antimicrobial-resistant bacteria.…”