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Antibiotic-Resistance Patterns of Gram-Negative Bacterial Isolates From Breeder Canaries (Serinus canaria domestica) With Clinical Disease

https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jepm.2014.12.009Get rights and content

Abstract

The emergence of bacterial resistance to antibiotic use in veterinary practice is considered a source of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections for humans. Although increasing incidence of antimicrobial resistance in small-animal practices has already been noted, limited information is available about the problem in domestic canaries (Serinus canaria domestica). This cross-sectional study describes the prevalence of Gram-negative bacteria among canaries exhibiting clinical disease signs and the antimicrobial sensitivity patterns of the bacterial isolates. During the breeding season, a bacteriological survey was carried out in 50 amateur breeding aviaries from the Messina Province (Sicily, South of Italy) to detect the prevalence of Gram-negative bacteria in sick birds. Fecal samples from breeder canaries were submitted for bacteriological examination. Of 50 breeding aviaries, 43 (86%) were positive for Gram-negative bacteria. Overall, 88 bacterial isolates, representing 12 genera of bacteria, were cultured. The most frequently recovered bacterial species was Escherichia coli (31/88 isolates, 35.2%). Other frequently isolated species were Enterobacter cloacae (9/88 isolates, 10.2%) and Proteus mirabilis (6/88 isolates, 6.8%). Potentially pathogenic species, including Salmonella Typhimurium (n = 5 strains), Enterobacter sakazakii (n = 4 strains), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 6 strains), were also identified. The 88 isolates displayed significant frequencies of antibiotic resistance. These results confirm the potential presence of multidrug-resistant bacteria in canary facilities, suggesting that measures to educate the public about this risk are necessary.

Section snippets

Sample Collection

During the breeding season, from March to September 2012, a bacteriological survey was carried out in 50 amateur breeding aviaries from Messina Province (Sicily, South of Italy) to detect the prevalence of Gram-negative bacteria in sick canaries. Fecal samples from breeder canaries were submitted for bacteriological examination. In each breeding facility, multiple freshly dropped feces from 5 canary cages, housing birds with signs of illness, were pooled and submitted as an individual sample.

Results

Of 50 breeding aviaries, 43 (86%) were positive for Gram-negative bacteria. Overall, 88 bacterial isolates, representing 12 genera of bacteria, were cultured. The bacterial species isolated are reported in Table 1. The most frequently recovered bacterial species was E. coli (31/88 isolates, 35.2%). Among the Enterobacteriaceae family, other frequently isolated species were Enterobacter cloacae (9/88 isolates, 10.2%) and Proteus mirabilis (6/88 isolates, 6.8%). Potentially pathogenic species,

Discussion

In this study, a high percentage of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative isolates were identified in canaries showing clinical signs of illness. These findings differ from previous observations that have reported a higher incidence of Gram-positive bacteria in various species of birds.7 The differing results of this study from previous published reports may be owing to the earlier investigations reporting higher than expected rates of Enterobacteria from fresh fecal samples in both clinically

Conclusions

At present, there is a lack of data regarding pathogenic bacteria in domestic birds showing no overt signs of clinical disease, and more studies should be conducted to build further knowledge on the true clinical significance of the current findings in relation to potential zoonosis. Limiting aspects of the present study were related to the lack of cultures obtained from apparently healthy animals or the environment, and a lack of evaluation for other etiologic agents and infectious causes

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