Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter from wild birds of prey in Spain. (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mencía-Gutiérrez, Aida; Martín-Maldonado, Bárbara; Pastor-Tiburón, Natalia; Moraleda, Virginia; González, Fernando; García-Peña, Francisco J.; Pérez-Cobo, Iratxe; Revuelta, Luis; Marín, María
• Is Part Of: Comparative immunology, microbiology and infectious diseases. Volume 79(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: Birds of prey -- Campylobacter -- Prevalence -- Antimicrobial resistance; Communicable diseases in animals -- Periodicals; Veterinary immunology -- Periodicals; Veterinary microbiology -- Periodicals; Immunology -- Periodicals; Microbiology -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- immunology -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- veterinary -- Periodicals; Allergy and Immunology -- Periodicals; Microbiology -- Periodicals; Veterinary Medicine -- Periodicals; Immunologie -- Périodiques; Microbiologie -- Périodiques; Maladies infectieuses -- Périodiques; Communicable diseases; Immunology; Microbiology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 636.08969
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2021.101712
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0147-9571

Abstract

Abstract: Wild birds have been identified as a relevant reservoir of Campylobacter spp., therefore, a potential source of infection in humans and domestic animals. The objective of this study was to determine the occurrence of Campylobacter spp. on birds of prey in Spain. In addition, antibiotic resistance profiles of the isolates were evaluated. A total of 689 specimens of 28 raptor species were analyzed, with a resulting individual prevalence of 7.5%. C. jejuni was the most frequently isolated species (88.5%), followed by C. coli and C. lari (3.8% each). The occurrence of Campylobacter was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in nocturnal birds of prey (15.3%), in spring season (12.2%) and in carnivorous species (9.4%). Isolates displayed a remarkable resistance to nalidixic acid (69.9%), ciprofloxacin (69.9%), and tetracycline (55.6%), and a low resistance to streptomycin (6.7%). Our findings highlight the importance of birds of prey as reservoirs of Campylobacter strains and their significant role as carriers of antimicrobial resistance. Highlights: Wild birds have been considered as a relevant reservoir of Campylobacter spp., therefore, a potential source of infection in humans and domestic animals. Campylobacter occurrence was investigated in raptor species of Spain. The Campylobacter species recovered ( C. jejuni, C. coli and C. lari ) are potentially pathogenic to humans. All Campylobacter species isolated in this study exhibited resistance to antimicrobial agents. Campylobacter occurrence and antimicrobial resistance surveillance is recommendable in wild birds of prey.