Distribution of virulence-associated genes, antibiotic resistance and phylogenetic groups in Escherichia coli isolated from domestic and racing pigeons

AbstractDespite a lot of information about virulence and resistance ofEscherichia coli (E. coli) in poultry, very limited data are currently available on its occurrence in pigeon isolates, although this poses a threat to human and animal health. Therefore, this study was conducted to explore the phylogenetic classification, antibiotic sensitivity, and virulence factors inE. coli isolated from cloacal swabs of domestic pigeons bred for meat (n  = 47) and racing pigeons (n = 44). The most frequent phylogroup in racing pigeons was E (36, 82.00%), unlike domestic pigeons (B2- 19, 40.00%). The most abundant iron uptake system in both groups of bird wasfeoB (racing  = 40, 90.90%; domestic = 44, 93.61%). The presence ofibeA (52, 57.10%) andkpsMTII (46, 50.50%) genes was detected in more than half of all strains belonging exclusively to phylogroups B2, D, E, F, clade I. Antibiotic resistance was higher in racing pigeons. All racing pigeon isolates were resistant to tetracycline and trimethoprim  + sulphonamide. Resistance to ciprofloxacin was determined in three isolates (6.38%) of domestic and 33 isolates (75%) of racing pigeons. Aminoglycosides and β-lactamases resistance were also recorded. One of the important detected phenotypic mechanisms of resistance occurring in isolates from racing pigeons was AGL AAC(6´)I. Our study confirms that healthy pigeons are a reservoir of antibiotic-resistantE. coli containing an arsenal of virulence factors, thus capable of ...
Source: Veterinary Research Communications - Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research