1
|
Carvalho D, Kunert-Filho HC, Simoni C, de Moraes LB, Furian TQ, Borges KA, Breunig JG, Medeiros LP, Kobayashi RKT, de Brito KCT, de Brito BG. Antimicrobial susceptibility and detection of virulence-associated genes of Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. isolated from domestic pigeons (Columba livia) in Brazil. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2020; 65:735-745. [PMID: 32180120 DOI: 10.1007/s12223-020-00781-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Overpopulation of domestic pigeons is considered to be one of the major problems of urban centers, as these birds are responsible for the dissemination of relevant pathogens to animal and human health. The aim of this study was to detect potentially pathogenic Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. in domestic pigeons captured in areas near silos used for grain and feed storage, analyzing the antimicrobial sensitivity and the presence of virulence-associated genes. We evaluated 41 pigeons. From each bird, cecal contents and a pool of viscera (heart, spleen, and liver) were collected. Fifty strains of E. coli and three strains of S. Typhimurium were isolated. The antimicrobial susceptibility assay showed that 2% of the isolates of E. coli were resistant to chloramphenicol and the combination of sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim and 4% to tetracycline, doxycycline, and sulfonamide. The three S. Typhimurium strains were sensitive to all antimicrobials tested. The pathogenicity profile demonstrated that no E. coli isolates showed a STEC compatible profile. Regarding the APEC pathotype, all genes were observed in 8% of E. coli, 6% had only the iss gene and 4% presented ompT, hlyF, and iutA genes. invA, hilA, avrA, and lpfA genes were detected in 100% of Salmonella isolates. The sitC and pefA genes were only present in one strain and the remaining genes were detected in two. In conclusion, it was found that pigeons living in the vicinity of silos are carriers of important pathogens, and control measures should be taken to minimize animal and human health risks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daiane Carvalho
- Centro de Diagnóstico e Pesquisa em Patologia Aviária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 8824, Porto Alegre, RS, CEP 91540-000, Brazil
| | - Hiran Castagnino Kunert-Filho
- Centro de Diagnóstico e Pesquisa em Patologia Aviária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 8824, Porto Alegre, RS, CEP 91540-000, Brazil
| | - Cintia Simoni
- Laboratório de Saúde das Aves & Inovação Tecnológica, Instituto de Pesquisas Veterinárias Desidério Finamor, Departamento de Diagnóstico e Pesquisa Agropecuária, Secretaria da Agricultura, Pecuária e Desenvolvimento Rural do Rio Grande do Sul, Estrada do Conde 6000, Eldorado do Sul, RS, CEP 92990-000, Brazil
| | - Lucas Brunelli de Moraes
- Laboratório de Histopatologia, Instituto de Pesquisas Veterinárias Desidério Finamor, Departamento de Diagnóstico e Pesquisa Agropecuária, Secretaria da Agricultura, Pecuária e Desenvolvimento Rural do Rio Grande do Sul, Estrada do Conde 6000, Eldorado do Sul, RS, CEP 92990-000, Brazil
| | - Thales Quedi Furian
- Centro de Diagnóstico e Pesquisa em Patologia Aviária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 8824, Porto Alegre, RS, CEP 91540-000, Brazil
| | - Karen Apellanis Borges
- Centro de Diagnóstico e Pesquisa em Patologia Aviária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 8824, Porto Alegre, RS, CEP 91540-000, Brazil.
| | - Jônatas Grellmann Breunig
- Laboratório de Saúde das Aves & Inovação Tecnológica, Instituto de Pesquisas Veterinárias Desidério Finamor, Departamento de Diagnóstico e Pesquisa Agropecuária, Secretaria da Agricultura, Pecuária e Desenvolvimento Rural do Rio Grande do Sul, Estrada do Conde 6000, Eldorado do Sul, RS, CEP 92990-000, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Pinto Medeiros
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia Básica e Aplicada, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, PR 445 - Km 380, Londrina, PR, CEP 86057-970, Brazil
| | - Renata Katsuko Takayama Kobayashi
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia Básica e Aplicada, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, PR 445 - Km 380, Londrina, PR, CEP 86057-970, Brazil
| | - Kelly Cristina Tagliari de Brito
- Laboratório de Saúde das Aves & Inovação Tecnológica, Instituto de Pesquisas Veterinárias Desidério Finamor, Departamento de Diagnóstico e Pesquisa Agropecuária, Secretaria da Agricultura, Pecuária e Desenvolvimento Rural do Rio Grande do Sul, Estrada do Conde 6000, Eldorado do Sul, RS, CEP 92990-000, Brazil
| | - Benito Guimarães de Brito
- Laboratório de Saúde das Aves & Inovação Tecnológica, Instituto de Pesquisas Veterinárias Desidério Finamor, Departamento de Diagnóstico e Pesquisa Agropecuária, Secretaria da Agricultura, Pecuária e Desenvolvimento Rural do Rio Grande do Sul, Estrada do Conde 6000, Eldorado do Sul, RS, CEP 92990-000, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Smith OM, Snyder WE, Owen JP. Are we overestimating risk of enteric pathogen spillover from wild birds to humans? Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2020; 95:652-679. [PMID: 32003106 PMCID: PMC7317827 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Enteric illnesses remain the second largest source of communicable diseases worldwide, and wild birds are suspected sources for human infection. This has led to efforts to reduce pathogen spillover through deterrence of wildlife and removal of wildlife habitat, particularly within farming systems, which can compromise conservation efforts and the ecosystem services wild birds provide. Further, Salmonella spp. are a significant cause of avian mortality, leading to additional conservation concerns. Despite numerous studies of enteric bacteria in wild birds and policies to discourage birds from food systems, we lack a comprehensive understanding of wild bird involvement in transmission of enteric bacteria to humans. Here, we propose a framework for understanding spillover of enteric pathogens from wild birds to humans, which includes pathogen acquisition, reservoir competence and bacterial shedding, contact with people and food, and pathogen survival in the environment. We place the literature into this framework to identify important knowledge gaps. Second, we conduct a meta‐analysis of prevalence data for three human enteric pathogens, Campylobacter spp., E. coli, and Salmonella spp., in 431 North American breeding bird species. Our literature review revealed that only 3% of studies addressed the complete system of pathogen transmission. In our meta‐analysis, we found a Campylobacter spp. prevalence of 27% across wild birds, while prevalence estimates of pathogenic E. coli (20%) and Salmonella spp. (6.4%) were lower. There was significant bias in which bird species have been tested, with most studies focusing on a small number of taxa that are common near people (e.g. European starlings Sturnus vulgaris and rock pigeons Columba livia) or commonly in contact with human waste (e.g. gulls). No pathogen prevalence data were available for 65% of North American breeding bird species, including many commonly in contact with humans (e.g. black‐billed magpie Pica hudsonia and great blue heron Ardea herodias), and our metadata suggest that some under‐studied species, taxonomic groups, and guilds may represent equivalent or greater risk to human infection than heavily studied species. We conclude that current data do not provide sufficient information to determine the likelihood of enteric pathogen spillover from wild birds to humans and thus preclude management solutions. The primary focus in the literature on pathogen prevalence likely overestimates the probability of enteric pathogen spillover from wild birds to humans because a pathogen must survive long enough at an infectious dose and be a strain that is able to colonize humans to cause infection. We propose that future research should focus on the large number of under‐studied species commonly in contact with people and food production and demonstrate shedding of bacterial strains pathogenic to humans into the environment where people may contact them. Finally, studies assessing the duration and intensity of bacterial shedding and survival of bacteria in the environment in bird faeces will help provide crucial missing information necessary to calculate spillover probability. Addressing these essential knowledge gaps will support policy to reduce enteric pathogen spillover to humans and enhance bird conservation efforts that are currently undermined by unsupported fears of pathogen spillover from wild birds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olivia M Smith
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, P.O. Box 644236, Pullman, WA, 99164, U.S.A
| | - William E Snyder
- Department of Entomology, Washington State University, 100 Dairy Road, P.O. Box 646382, Pullman, WA, 99164, U.S.A
| | - Jeb P Owen
- Department of Entomology, Washington State University, 100 Dairy Road, P.O. Box 646382, Pullman, WA, 99164, U.S.A
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Vasconcelos RH, Teixeira RSDC, Silva INGD, Lopes EDS, Maciel WC. Feral pigeons (Columba livia) as potential reservoirs of Salmonella sp. and Escherichia coli. ARQUIVOS DO INSTITUTO BIOLÓGICO 2018. [DOI: 10.1590/1808-1657000412017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT: This study aimed to review the scientific literature for information about free-living pigeons (Columba livia) as potential reservoirs of Salmonella sp. and Escherichia coli. Rock doves are currently adapted to the urban environment and distributed all over the world. These birds carry microorganisms that are pathogenic for man and other animals, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. Among these microorganisms, Salmonella is a pathogenic genus that cause severe economic losses and it is zoonotic, causing foodborne infections in humans. In addition, Escherichia coli is an worrisome species involved in the poultry industry. However, this micro-organism is also a risk to the public health, considering pathotypes that are known to cause diseases in man have been isolated from feral pigeons. The infections caused by these bacteria depend on virulence factors that provide the necessary tools to develop the disease. These factors are encoded by genes that may be found in pathogenicity islands inside the bacterial genome. In addition, pigeons may harbor antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, which may pass this characteristic to other strains, and present a risk to the public health as well. In conclusion, pigeons are reservoirs of strains of Salmonella sp. and Escherichia coli that may present high levels of resistance to antibiotics.
Collapse
|
4
|
Torres-Mejía AM, Blanco-Peña K, Rodríguez C, Duarte F, Jiménez-Soto M, Esperón F. Zoonotic Agents in Feral Pigeons (Columba livia) from Costa Rica: Possible Improvements to Diminish Contagion Risks. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2017; 18:49-54. [PMID: 29243991 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2017.2131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Most studies on zoonotic agents in pigeons have been conducted in the Palearctic region, but the scarcity of data is notorious in the Neotropical region, where these birds can breed all year around and are in close contact with humans. In this study, we used a combination of culture-dependent and culture-independent methods to identify infectious agents in 141 fecal samples from pigeons collected at four urban parks from Costa Rica. Of these we identified 34 positive samples for Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Braenderup (24.1%), 13 for Chlamydophila psittaci (9.2%), 9 for enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (6.4% eaeA, 0% stx-1 and 0% stx-2), and 2 for Campylobacter jejuni (1.4%). These populations of pigeons pose low risk for healthy adult humans, however, they may pose a health risk to immunocompromised patients or children. This study provides scientific data, which can be incorporated into educational programs aiming to reverse the public attitude toward pigeon feeding and to rationally justify population control efforts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana María Torres-Mejía
- 1 Posgrado Regional en Ciencias Veterinarias (PCVET), Universidad Nacional , Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Kinndle Blanco-Peña
- 1 Posgrado Regional en Ciencias Veterinarias (PCVET), Universidad Nacional , Heredia, Costa Rica .,2 Instituto Regional de Estudios en Sustancias Tóxicas (IRET) , Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - César Rodríguez
- 3 Facultad de Microbiología, Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET), Universidad de Costa Rica , San José, Costa Rica
| | - Francisco Duarte
- 4 Instituto Costarricense de Investigación y Enseñanza en Nutrición y Salud (INCIENSA) , Cartago, Costa Rica
| | - Mauricio Jiménez-Soto
- 4 Instituto Costarricense de Investigación y Enseñanza en Nutrición y Salud (INCIENSA) , Cartago, Costa Rica
| | - Fernando Esperón
- 6 Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (INIA-CISA) , Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|