Antimicrobial-Resistant <i>Enterococcus</i> spp. in Wild Avifauna from Central Italy
Bacteria of the genus <i>Enterococcus</i> are opportunistic pathogens, part of the normal intestinal microflora of animals, able to acquire and transfer antimicrobial resistance genes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible role of wild avifauna as a source of antimicrobial-r...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2022-06-01
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| Series: | Antibiotics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/11/7/852 |
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| author | Giulia Cagnoli Fabrizio Bertelloni Paolo Interrante Renato Ceccherelli Margherita Marzoni Valentina Virginia Ebani |
| author_facet | Giulia Cagnoli Fabrizio Bertelloni Paolo Interrante Renato Ceccherelli Margherita Marzoni Valentina Virginia Ebani |
| author_sort | Giulia Cagnoli |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Bacteria of the genus <i>Enterococcus</i> are opportunistic pathogens, part of the normal intestinal microflora of animals, able to acquire and transfer antimicrobial resistance genes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible role of wild avifauna as a source of antimicrobial-resistant enterococci. To assess this purpose, 103 <i>Enterococcus</i> spp. strains were isolated from the feces of wild birds of different species; they were tested for antimicrobial resistance against 21 molecules, vancomycin resistance, and high-level aminoglycosides resistance (HLAR). Furthermore, genes responsible for vancomycin, tetracycline, and HLAR were searched. <i>E. faecium</i> was the most frequently detected species (60.20% of isolates), followed by <i>E. faecalis</i> (34.95% of isolates). Overall, 99.02% of the isolated enterococci were classified as multidrug-resistant, with 19.41% extensively drug-resistant, and 2.91% possible pan drug-resistant strains. Most of the isolates were susceptible to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (77.67%) and ampicillin (75.73%), with only 5.83% of isolates showing an ampicillin MIC ≥ 64 mg/L. HLAR was detected in 35.92% of isolates, mainly associated with the genes <i>ant(6)-Ia</i> and <i>aac(6′)-Ie-aph(2″)-Ia</i>. Few strains (4.85%) were resistant to vancomycin, and the genes <i>vanA</i> and <i>vanB</i> were not detected. A percentage of 54.37% of isolates showed resistance to tetracycline; <i>tet(M)</i> was the most frequently detected gene in these strains. Wild birds may contribute to the spreading of antimicrobial-resistant enterococci, which can affect other animals and humans. Constant monitoring is essential to face up to the evolving antimicrobial resistance issue, and monitoring programs should include wild avifauna, too. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T03:47:05Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-11744482a0e446f89f80553941b4fb3f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2079-6382 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T03:47:05Z |
| publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Antibiotics |
| spelling | doaj.art-11744482a0e446f89f80553941b4fb3f2023-12-03T14:32:28ZengMDPI AGAntibiotics2079-63822022-06-0111785210.3390/antibiotics11070852Antimicrobial-Resistant <i>Enterococcus</i> spp. in Wild Avifauna from Central ItalyGiulia Cagnoli0Fabrizio Bertelloni1Paolo Interrante2Renato Ceccherelli3Margherita Marzoni4Valentina Virginia Ebani5Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, ItalyCRUMA-LIPU, 57121 Livorno, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, ItalyBacteria of the genus <i>Enterococcus</i> are opportunistic pathogens, part of the normal intestinal microflora of animals, able to acquire and transfer antimicrobial resistance genes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible role of wild avifauna as a source of antimicrobial-resistant enterococci. To assess this purpose, 103 <i>Enterococcus</i> spp. strains were isolated from the feces of wild birds of different species; they were tested for antimicrobial resistance against 21 molecules, vancomycin resistance, and high-level aminoglycosides resistance (HLAR). Furthermore, genes responsible for vancomycin, tetracycline, and HLAR were searched. <i>E. faecium</i> was the most frequently detected species (60.20% of isolates), followed by <i>E. faecalis</i> (34.95% of isolates). Overall, 99.02% of the isolated enterococci were classified as multidrug-resistant, with 19.41% extensively drug-resistant, and 2.91% possible pan drug-resistant strains. Most of the isolates were susceptible to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (77.67%) and ampicillin (75.73%), with only 5.83% of isolates showing an ampicillin MIC ≥ 64 mg/L. HLAR was detected in 35.92% of isolates, mainly associated with the genes <i>ant(6)-Ia</i> and <i>aac(6′)-Ie-aph(2″)-Ia</i>. Few strains (4.85%) were resistant to vancomycin, and the genes <i>vanA</i> and <i>vanB</i> were not detected. A percentage of 54.37% of isolates showed resistance to tetracycline; <i>tet(M)</i> was the most frequently detected gene in these strains. Wild birds may contribute to the spreading of antimicrobial-resistant enterococci, which can affect other animals and humans. Constant monitoring is essential to face up to the evolving antimicrobial resistance issue, and monitoring programs should include wild avifauna, too.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/11/7/852<i>Enterococcus</i> spp.antimicrobial resistancewild birdsfeces |
| spellingShingle | Giulia Cagnoli Fabrizio Bertelloni Paolo Interrante Renato Ceccherelli Margherita Marzoni Valentina Virginia Ebani Antimicrobial-Resistant <i>Enterococcus</i> spp. in Wild Avifauna from Central Italy Antibiotics <i>Enterococcus</i> spp. antimicrobial resistance wild birds feces |
| title | Antimicrobial-Resistant <i>Enterococcus</i> spp. in Wild Avifauna from Central Italy |
| title_full | Antimicrobial-Resistant <i>Enterococcus</i> spp. in Wild Avifauna from Central Italy |
| title_fullStr | Antimicrobial-Resistant <i>Enterococcus</i> spp. in Wild Avifauna from Central Italy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Antimicrobial-Resistant <i>Enterococcus</i> spp. in Wild Avifauna from Central Italy |
| title_short | Antimicrobial-Resistant <i>Enterococcus</i> spp. in Wild Avifauna from Central Italy |
| title_sort | antimicrobial resistant i enterococcus i spp in wild avifauna from central italy |
| topic | <i>Enterococcus</i> spp. antimicrobial resistance wild birds feces |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/11/7/852 |
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