Pet birds as potential reservoirs of virulent and antibiotic resistant zoonotic bacteria

Bacterial pathogens carried by pet birds are considered a risk for birds, workers, and pet owners. This study investigated the potential of pet birds as reservoirs for virulent multidrug-resistant (MDR) zoonotic bacteria and assessed the genetic relatedness and diversity of bacterial isolates from pet birds and human contacts. Cloacal and tracheal swabs from 125 pet birds and 70 hand swabs from human contacts were collected. The results revealed that the pet birds were reservoirs for Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae (17.6 %, each), and Staphylococcus aureus (15.2 %). These isolates were also identified in their human contacts, at percentages of 14.3 %, 12.9 %, and 24.3 %, respectively. Virulence associated genes were identified from E. coli (stx2, stx2f, eaeA, and hlyA), K. pneumoniae (fimH, TraT, and magA), and S. aureus (PVL, hly, sea, sed genes) isolates. Multidrug-resistant E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and S. aureus were highly prevalent (81.3 %, 90.3 %, and 61.1 %, respectively). The genetic relationship between the E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates from the pet birds and human contacts were determined by ERIC-PCR, while, RAPD-PCR was used for the S. aureus isolates. ERIC-PCR was found to have the highest discriminatory power. The clustering of the isolates from the pet birds and human contacts indicated potential transmission between the birds and workers. In conclusion, pet birds could act as potential reservoirs for zoonotic bacterial pathogens; thus, posing a risk to their human contacts.     

Bacteria and antibiotic resistance detection in fractures of wild birds from wildlife rehabilitation centres in Spain

Anatomic adaptations make birds more prone to open fractures with exposed bone parts losing vascularization. As a result of this exposure, fractures are colonized by different microorganisms, including different types of bacteria, both aerobic and anaerobic, causing osteomyelitis in many cases. For this reason, antibiotic treatment is common. However, carrying out antibiotic treatment without carrying out a previous antibiogram may contribute to increased resistance against antibiotics, especially in migratory wild birds. In this paper, bacterial counts regarding fracture type, bacterial identification and antibiotic resistance have been analysed in wild birds from wildlife rehabilitation centres in Spain. The results obtained showed that open fractures had higher bacterial counts (CFU/mL) than closed ones. Bacteria in family Enterobacteriaceae, identified were Escherichia spp., Enterobacter spp., Shigella spp., Hafnia alvei, Proteus mirabilis, Leclercia adecarboxylata and Pantoea agglomerans. Other bacteria present in wild birds’ fractures were Aeromonas spp., Enterococcus spp. Bacillus wiedmannii and Staphylococcus sciuri. All species found presented resistance to at least one of the antibiotics used. Wild birds can be implicated in the introduction, maintenance and global spreading of antibiotic resistant bacteria and represent an emerging public health concern. Results obtained in this paper support the idea that it is necessary to take this fact into account before antibiotic administration to wild animals, since it could increase the number of bacteria resistant to antibiotics.     

Wild Bonelli’s eagles (Aquila fasciata) as carrier of antimicrobial resistant Salmonella and Campylobacter in Eastern Spain

Wild birds have repeatedly been found to be involved in the dissemination of enteric bacterial pathogens in the environment. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of Salmonella and Campylobacter as well as the antimicrobial resistance in wild Bonelli’s eagles nestlings in Eastern Spain. In addition, we compared the efficiency of two sampling methods (fresh faecal samples from nest and cloacal swabs from nestlings) for detection of both bacteria. A total of 28 nests with 45 nestlings were analysed. In the nest, Salmonella occurrence was 61 ± 9.2%, while Campylobacter occurrence was 11 ± 5.8% (p < 0.05). In the nestlings, Salmonella occurrence was 36 ± 7.1%, while Campylobacter occurrence was 11 ± 4.7% (p < 0.05). Eight Salmonella serovars were identified, and the most frequently isolated were S. Enteritidis, S. Typhimurium, S. Houston, and S. Cerro. Only one Campylobacter species was identified (C. jejuni). Regarding antimicrobial resistance, the Salmonella strains isolated were found to be most frequently resistant to ampicillin and to tigecycline; however, the sole Campylobacter strain recovered was multidrug resistant. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that wild Bonelli’s eagles nestlings are greater carriers of Salmonella than of Campylobacter. Both Salmonella and Campylobacter isolates exhibited antimicrobial resistance. In addition, faecal samples from nests were most reliable for Salmonella detection, while cloacal swab from nestlings were most reliable for Campylobacter detection.     

小五台山西台夏季鸟类群落结构研究

在小五台山自然保护区西台，通过路线调查法研究了该地区夏季鸟类群落的物种多样性及群落间的相似性，并对鸟类群落的物种多样性随空间的变化模式及物种生态位的关系进行了分析。结果表明，该地区不同鸟类群落物种多样性的排列顺序为：针阔混交林＞阔叶林＞针叶林＞溪涧＞灌丛＞亚高山草甸＞亚高山灌丛。鸟类的物种多样性随栖位而变化，并在不同的鸟类群落中表现出不同的模式。群落物种多样性随着生态位重叠的增大而减小。     

厦门高崎国际机场鸟类调查及鸟撞防治的对策

厦门机场及周边活动的常见鸟类共有30科，90种，在整个锥形面内对飞机飞行构成危险的鸟类，主要是白鹭Egretta garzetta，中白鹭E.intermedia，普通鸬鹚Phalacrocorax carbo，黑翅鸢Elanus caeruleus，山斑鸠Streptopelia orientalis，家鸽等大型鸟类；根据各种鸟类习性及其栖息生境的特点分析，提出了以鸣枪，放煤气炮等方式驱赶鸟类。改变鸟类栖息生境以降低鸟类的种群数量等防止鸟撞的对策。     

中国东部沿海地区猛禽迁徙与天气、气候的关系研究

通过1980～1987年秋季在大连老铁山、山东省长岛县大黑山岛及青岛浮山的观察研究,确认猛禽的迁徙与气候、天气有着密切的关系。猛禽迁徙通常选择在风力三级(14 km/h)以上西北风或南风的有利天气条件下顺风或侧顺风迁徒。这种大气环流形势在天气图上的反映是地面冷锋过境后当天或次日。冷锋过境前的天气特征是偏南风或西南风,气温升高,冷锋过境后风向转为西或西北风,同时气温下降,气压升高,风速加大。5～6级西北风(30～40 km/h)天气会出现猛禽大规模迁徙过境。故在猛禽的研究中,可根据这种天气变化模式进行猛禽迁徙的预报。     

荒漠地区鸟类群落结构及多样性分析——以金塔县为例

金塔县位于甘肃省酒泉地区东北部,地处我国西北内陆腹地。2009年6月～10月,对金塔鸟类的种类、数量、分布和生境等进行了多次科学调查。综合文献记载,得知金塔共有鸟类61种,隶14目,28科,46属。其中留鸟11种,夏候鸟37种,旅鸟13种,国家重点保护鸟类8种。鸟类区系以古北界成分为主,占繁殖鸟总数的65.2%;东洋界...     

莲花山自然保护区珍稀鸟类及其栖息地调查

对莲花山自然保护区分布的珍稀鸟类及其栖息地进行了调查，并利用卫星影像资料分析了鸟类栖息地现状，表明该地区鸟类栖息地严重破碎化，严重威胁着保护区内珍稀鸟类的生存，提出了封山育林扩大保护区面积等加强珍稀鸟类保护的建议。