An Evaluation of Antimicrobial Resistance and Virulence Potential of Escherichia coli Obtained from Feces of Ornamental Birds in Guilan, Iran

 Ornamental birds can serve as a reservoir for the virulent and antibiotic-resistant bacterium Escherichia coli. They can also play a role in transmitting these strains to humans. Therefore, obtaining information regarding drug resistance and virulence potential of the bacteria isolated from ornamental birds can contribute to disease treatment or prevention of pathogen transmission to humans. The present study was conducted to investigate the pattern of antibiotic resistance and virulence of Escherichia coli bacterium isolated from ornamental birds in Guilan province, Iran.

 Escherichia coli isolates were obtained from the feces of 80 apparently healthy ornamental birds in Rasht (Guilan, Iran) and were identified based on culture and biochemical tests. The antibiotic resistance pattern was determined using the disk diffusion method, and the frequency of virulence genes was investigated in test isolates using polymerase chain reaction.

Overall, 32 E. coli isolates were obtained from fresh feces of ornamental birds. In this study, 14 isolates (43.75%) had multiple drug resistance, and one extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing isolate was identified. Isolates were most sensitive to gentamicin (90%), and the highest resistance was associated with penicillin (90%). The frequency of iroN, ompT, hlyF, iss, and iutA genes in fecal isolates of ornamental birds was 28.12%, 34.37%, 40.62%, 30%, and 43.75%, respectively, and 25% of isolates were identified as avian pathogenic E. coli.

 The results of this study indicate the virulence potential and drug resistance in fecal E. coli isolates in ornamental birds in Rasht. The spread of these strains in the environment can endanger the health of owners and the whole society.