PAKISTAN
VETERINARY
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Identification of Virulence Genes and Multidrug Resistance in Shiga-Toxin Producing Escherichia coli (STEC) from Migratory and Captive Wild Birds
 
Asikur Rahman1, Md. Shahidur Rahman Chowdhury1, Hemayet Hossain2, Fahmy Gad Elsaid3, Layla A. Almutairi4, Ruhena Begum1, Mirza Synthia Sabrin5, Md. Rashedunnabi Akanda6, Md. Mukter Hossain1, Md. Rafiqul Islam1, Md. Masudur Rahman7, Md. Mahfujur Rahman1*
 

1Department of Medicine, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh; 2Department of Anatomy and Histology, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh; 3Department of Biology, College of Science, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 960, Asir, Abha, 61421, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia; 5Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh; 6Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh; 7Department of Pathology, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh.
*Corresponding author: mahfuj.vetmed@.sau.ac.bd

Abstract   

Multi-drug resistant-Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (MDR-STEC), poses considerable health risks for human, animals and birds. Migratory and captive wild birds are known carriers of this pathogen. This study aimed to investigate prevalence of MDR-STEC along with its associated virulence genes from migratory and captive wild birds in Bangladesh. A total of 247 fecal specimens were obtained from both migratory (119) and captive wild birds (128) for the isolation and characterization of E. coli. Standard microbiological and biochemical methods were used for identification and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was employed for confirmation of E. coli isolates followed by disc diffusion method to determine antibiotic susceptibility. The overall E. coli prevalence was 80.97% (200/247; 95% CI: 75.51-85.67), with a prevalence of 77.31% (92/119) in migratory birds and 84.38% (108/128) in captive wild birds. Among the 200 E. coli isolates, 53 (26.5%; 95% CI: 20.5-33.2) were identified as multidrug-resistant (MDR), with 21.7% (20/92) of MDR isolates originating from migratory birds and 30.6% (33/108) from captive wild birds. Only 24 (12%) isolates were positive for virulent gene stx2 whereas 167 (83.50%) isolates were positive for fimC. Among the β-lactamase resistant genes, blaTEM (91.50%; 183/200) was found significantly (p<0.0001) higher than blaSHV (9.00%; 18/200). Among the antimicrobial resistant genes, 175 (87.50%) isolates were found positive for qnrS resistant gene. E. coli isolates of birds exhibited diverse phenotypic AMR patterns, with complete (100%) resistance to several antibiotics (ampicillin, ceftazidime, cefuroxime, and tetracycline) while being entirely sensitive to others (ceftriaxone, amikacin and aztreonam). This research underscores the concerning prevalence of E. coli strains having various virulent genes and resistant to multiple drugs among the wild birds. It emphasizes the immediate requirement for bridging wildlife and public health domains to address the threats posed by the antibiotic-resistant pathogens.

To Cite This Article: Rahman A, Chowdhury Md.SR, Hossain H, Elsaid FG, Almutairi LA, Begum R, Sabrin MS, Akanda Md.R, Hossain Md.M, Islam Md.R, Rahman Md.M, Rahman Md.M, 2024. Identification of virulence genes and multidrug resistance in Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) from migratory and captive wild birds. Pak Vet J. http://dx.doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2024.264

 
 
   
 

ISSN 0253-8318 (Print)
ISSN 2074-7764 (Online)



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