To assess the microbiological status of two free-ranging populations of Scarlet macaw (Ara macao cyanoptera) in Guatemala (n=10) and Belize (n=14), and in captivity Yellow-headed amazon (Amazona oratrix belizensis) in Belize (n=15), blood samples (n=50), faeces (n=16), fecal (n=4), cloacal (n=30) and choanal swabs (n=6) were collected for molecular, bacteriological and mycological investigations. On blood samples, PCRs for APV, PBFD, PDV and Chlamydia psittaci were carried out. Total bacterial and mycotic counts (UFC/swab/g) were recorded [1]. In order to define the antibiotic resistance profiles, each strain was tested to 11 antimicrobial and 2 antifungal categories: Aminoglycosides, Penicillins, Penicillins+β-lactamase inhibitors, Cephalosporins, Quinolones, Carbapenems, Glycopeptides, Macrolides, Tetracyclines, Folate pathway inhibitors, Phosphonic acids, Polyenes, Azoles, following Kirby-Bauer and MIC method (Oxacillin, Augmentin, Vancomycin, Teicoplanin) according to the EUCAST guidelines [2]. Data were analyzed using Chi Squared and Student t-test (STATA 13.0). On PCR, birds tested negatively. Gram +ve (63.1%, 8190±3495 UFC) and Gram –ve bacteria (30.5%, P=0.003; 7600±4596; n=233) were cultured for a total of 218 isolates. Candida spp. and Rhodotorula spp. (4.3%, 2228±1483 UFC; n=13), Aspergillus flavus and Penicillum spp. (0.4%, 25±21 UFC; n=2) represented the fungal flora. Staphylococcus spp. (18.9%), Bacillus spp. (14.2%), Streptococcus spp. (12.9%), E. coli (6.4%), Burkolderia cepacia complex (6.0%), were the bacteria more representative. Samples resulted negative for Salmonella spp., Mycoplasma spp., and Clostridium spp. No significant difference was observed between captive and free-ranging birds, both for Gram +ve (63.2% vs 62.9%) and -ve (29.6% vs 31.5%). In free-ranging birds the mean total bacterial and fungal counts (7458±3175.5 and 1274±878.4 CFU) were lower compared to captive birds (8382±3175.5 and 2315.5±1636.1 CFU), but the differences were not significant (P>0.05). Higher significant resistance was observed for Penicillins (86.7%), Macrolides (57.3%), Penicillins+β-lactamase inhibitors (43.5%). Oxacillin Resistant Staphylococci (16.1%) and Glycopeptide non-Susceptible Staphylococci (20.0%) were isolated from captive psittacine birds only (P=0.0001), while free-ranging birds showed a high, but not significant, resistance to Macrolids (62.9%), Tetracyclines (39.3%; P=0.40). All fungal strains isolated in captive birds resulted resistance to Polyenes. These are the first data on the microbiological health status and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of bacterial and fungal flora in free-ranging and in captivity Psittacine birds in Guatemala and Belize. In captivity, relevant resistance profiles were observed, hypothesizing the role of captivity in the transmission of resistant strains, in particular for Staphylococci.
MICROBIOLOGICAL HEALTH STATUS AND ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE PROFILES IN FREE-RANGING AND IN CAPTIVITY PSITTACINE BIRDS
Patrizia Robino;Patrizia Nebbia;
2019-01-01
Abstract
To assess the microbiological status of two free-ranging populations of Scarlet macaw (Ara macao cyanoptera) in Guatemala (n=10) and Belize (n=14), and in captivity Yellow-headed amazon (Amazona oratrix belizensis) in Belize (n=15), blood samples (n=50), faeces (n=16), fecal (n=4), cloacal (n=30) and choanal swabs (n=6) were collected for molecular, bacteriological and mycological investigations. On blood samples, PCRs for APV, PBFD, PDV and Chlamydia psittaci were carried out. Total bacterial and mycotic counts (UFC/swab/g) were recorded [1]. In order to define the antibiotic resistance profiles, each strain was tested to 11 antimicrobial and 2 antifungal categories: Aminoglycosides, Penicillins, Penicillins+β-lactamase inhibitors, Cephalosporins, Quinolones, Carbapenems, Glycopeptides, Macrolides, Tetracyclines, Folate pathway inhibitors, Phosphonic acids, Polyenes, Azoles, following Kirby-Bauer and MIC method (Oxacillin, Augmentin, Vancomycin, Teicoplanin) according to the EUCAST guidelines [2]. Data were analyzed using Chi Squared and Student t-test (STATA 13.0). On PCR, birds tested negatively. Gram +ve (63.1%, 8190±3495 UFC) and Gram –ve bacteria (30.5%, P=0.003; 7600±4596; n=233) were cultured for a total of 218 isolates. Candida spp. and Rhodotorula spp. (4.3%, 2228±1483 UFC; n=13), Aspergillus flavus and Penicillum spp. (0.4%, 25±21 UFC; n=2) represented the fungal flora. Staphylococcus spp. (18.9%), Bacillus spp. (14.2%), Streptococcus spp. (12.9%), E. coli (6.4%), Burkolderia cepacia complex (6.0%), were the bacteria more representative. Samples resulted negative for Salmonella spp., Mycoplasma spp., and Clostridium spp. No significant difference was observed between captive and free-ranging birds, both for Gram +ve (63.2% vs 62.9%) and -ve (29.6% vs 31.5%). In free-ranging birds the mean total bacterial and fungal counts (7458±3175.5 and 1274±878.4 CFU) were lower compared to captive birds (8382±3175.5 and 2315.5±1636.1 CFU), but the differences were not significant (P>0.05). Higher significant resistance was observed for Penicillins (86.7%), Macrolides (57.3%), Penicillins+β-lactamase inhibitors (43.5%). Oxacillin Resistant Staphylococci (16.1%) and Glycopeptide non-Susceptible Staphylococci (20.0%) were isolated from captive psittacine birds only (P=0.0001), while free-ranging birds showed a high, but not significant, resistance to Macrolids (62.9%), Tetracyclines (39.3%; P=0.40). All fungal strains isolated in captive birds resulted resistance to Polyenes. These are the first data on the microbiological health status and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of bacterial and fungal flora in free-ranging and in captivity Psittacine birds in Guatemala and Belize. In captivity, relevant resistance profiles were observed, hypothesizing the role of captivity in the transmission of resistant strains, in particular for Staphylococci.
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