Detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 by PCR and evaluation of resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics in Escherichia coli isolated from pigeons in Shahrekord, Iran

Pigeons can be carriers of some human pathogens and contribute to transmission and spread of drug resistant infectious agents to human. Considering many people’s interests to keep pigeons، present study was conducted to PCR detection of Escherichia coli O157: H7 that is responsible for outbreaks of human intestinal diseases and fatal haemolytic-uraemic syndrome worldwide and evaluation of resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics in Escherichia coli isolated from pigeons in Shahrekord. Altogether 180 samples of pigeon faeces were collected with sterile cotton swabs from different areas of Shahrekord، Iran. Swabs were placed directly into Tryptone Soya Broth (TSB). In the laboratory samples were streaked onto MacConkey agar and Cefixime Tellurite Sorbitol MacConkey agar as selective plating media. Antibiogram tests were then performed using disc diffusion method. Suspected colonies to E. coli O157: H7 were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). E. coli was isolated from 93 (51. 7%) of 180 the samples. Resistance of isolates to Cefotaxime، Imipenem، Cefixime، Amoxicillin، Cefalexin، Penicillin G and Oxacillin was 1. 1%، 3. 2%، 8. 6%، 22. 6%، 40. 9%، 90. 3% and 96. 7% respectively. E. coli O157: H7 was not found in any samples. Although pigeons were not sources or carriers of E. coli O157: H7 in the region، they harbored beta-lactam antibiotics resistant E. coli and could be an important component of drug-resistant infections transmission from pigeons to human، especially kids and can pose a risk to human health. Considering of what mentioned it is recommended to make pigeons owners and general public aware of potential dangers of pigeons keeping.