Volume: 2, 2023
2nd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: A002
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL2.A002
Published online: 19 April 2023
ICDSUPL, 2, A002 (2023)
Pathotypes and antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli from wild avifauna
Giulia Cagnoli1*, Fabrizio Bertelloni1, Valentina Virginia Ebani1
1 Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56124, Pisa, Italy
* Corresponding author: giulia.cagnoli@phd.unipi.it
Abstract
Escherichia coli is a common inhabitant of the intestines of humans and animals, but in some cases it can cause severe infections in relation to the involved pathotype. Wild birds may act as reservoirs and spreaders of several pathogenic bacteria, mainly during their migratory activity, including E. coli. The aim of this study was to investigate the antibiotic resistance profiles of E. coli strains isolated from wild birds recovered in a rescue center in Central Italy and determine the pathotype for each isolate through the detection of genes encoding for specific virulence factors. One hundred and thirty-nine E. coli strains were isolated from 57 wild birds belonging to 10 species. The highest resistance rates were to ampicillin (38.85%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (33.81%), tetracyclines (32.37%) and enrofloxacin (30.22%). The highest sensitivity rates were to ertapenem (97.12%) and aztreonam (92.81%). PCR assays to identify the investigated virulence genes were performed on 91 strains selected on the basis of their antibiotic resistance profile. Molecular investigations detected: astA gene in 30 (32.97%) isolates, hylA gene in 11 (12.09%), stx2 gene in 6 (6.59%) and escV gene in 1 (1.10%). No isolates had stx1, eaeA, pic, elt, estIa, estIb, ent, bfpB, invE, and aggR genes. The obtained results showed the role of wild birds as common spreaders of antibiotic-resistant E. coli strains and, sometimes, of pathotype able to cause severe infections in other animals and humans. Spreading monitoring is pivotal from a One health perspective.
How to cite
G. Cagnoli, F. Bertelloni, V.V. Ebani, 2023. Pathotypes and antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli from wild avifauna. In: 2nd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL2.A002