Zero prevalence of extended spectrum beta-lactamase-producing bacteria in 300 breeding Collared Flycatchers in Sweden

Abstract

Wild birds are important indicators and potential spreaders of antibiotic resistance. The order Passerines is scarcely studied apart from Corvus sp. but extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) has been found in Blackbirds. We tested 300 fecal samples from a well-studied population of Collared Flycatchers (Ficedula albicollis) at the Island of Gotland in Sweden and found no ESBL-producing bacteria. These results support the idea of ‘ecological guild’ as Blackbirds are ground-foraging invertebrate feeders, whereas Collared Flycatchers are aerial insectivores not regularly coming into contact with fecal contaminations and therefore less prone to acquire pathogens spread by the fecal–oral route.

Antibiotic resistance assessment in bacteria isolated in migratory Passeriformes transiting through the Metaponto territory (Basilicata, Italy)

“…Our results from Passeriformes with an absence of ESBL-producing bacteria are in agreement with other similar studies carried out in Portugal (Silva et al 2010) and in Sweden (Jarhult et al 2013). …”

“…Although these birds come rarely in contact with antimicrobial agents, they could serve as reservoirs and potential disseminators of resistant bacteria in the environment through fecal depositions (Guenther et al 2010;Jarhult et al 2013;Shobrak and Abo-Amer 2015). Resistant bacteria of human and veterinary origin are believed to be transmitted to wild birds through contaminated food or water (Abulreesh et al 2007;Bonnedahl et al 2009;Guenther et al 2010;Radhouani et al 2012).…”

Molecular Characterization of Extended-Spectrum-Cephalosporin-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae from Wild Kelp Gulls in South America

“…Several studies have documented the occurrence of ESC r Enterobacteriaceae isolates among wild birds at prevalences ranging from 0% to 37% (4,(11)(12)(13)(14)(15). However, our study revealed a higher occurrence among kelp gulls in accordance with studies regarding Brown-headed gulls and Franklin's gulls (5).…”

Analysis of Eurasian Stone curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus) microbial flora reveals the presence of multi-drug resistant pathogens in agro-pastoral areas of Sicily (Italy)

“…In our research, we examined 303 strains belonging to 22 genera (11 families) finding AMR in all of them. Many strains belonged to commensal bacterial species of the body sites from which they were isolated (eye, beak, intestine), suggesting the existence of more diffusion routes of resistant strains than the fecal deposition route typically reported in the literature (Guenther et al, 2010;J€ arhult et al, 2013;Shobrak and Abo-Amer, 2014). Our results show that commensal bacteria play an important role in the transmission of anti-microbial resistance, but further epidemiological studies are necessary in order to gain a more detailed understanding of this complex phenomenon.…”

“…Given the increasing number of multidrug-resistant strains (resistant to three or more antibiotic classes), it is of crucial importance to understand the origins of antibiotic resistance in wild bird microbiome. Wild birds have rare contact with antimicrobial agents, thus they could serve as reservoir and potential spreaders of resistant bacteria (Guenther et al, 2010;J€ arhult et al, 2013;Bonnedahl and J€ arhult, 2014) and naturally evolving resistance genes (Janatova et al, 2014). This phenomenon is taking place on a global scale, and birds infected with multidrug-resistant bacteria can be found even in environments as remote from intensive farms as the Arctic (Benskin et al, 2009).…”