Pathogenic microorganisms carried by migratory birds passing through the territory of the island of Ustica, Sicily (Italy)

Maria Foti (1) , Donatella Rinaldo (2) , Annalisa Guercio (3) , Cristina Giacopello (2) , Aurora Aleo (4) , Filomena Deleo (2) , Vittorio Fisichella (2) , Caterina Mammina (4)

1 Veterinary Public Health
2 Veterinary Public Health
3 IZS Sicilia
4 Sciences for Health Promotion

Several studies have shown that migratory birds play an important role in the ecology, circulation and dissemination of pathogenic organisms. In October of 2006, a health status evaluation was performed on a large population of migratory birds passing through the territory of Ustica (Italy), an island located on the migration route of many species of birds to Africa, and various laboratory tests were conducted. In total, 218 faecal swabs and the internal organs of 21 subjects found dead in nets were collected for bacteriological and virological examination, including avian influenza and Newcastle disease. In addition, 19 pooled fresh faecal samples were collected for mycological examination. The bacteriological analysis produced 183 strains belonging to 28 different species of the Enterobacteriaceae family. In particular, Salmonella bongori, Yersinia enterocolitica and Klebsiella pneumonia strains were isolated. Almost all of the isolates were susceptible to sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprime (99.4%), cefotaxime (98.9%), nalidixic acid (96.7%), chloramphenicol (95.6%), and tetracycline (93.4%). Alternatively, many strains were resistant to ampicillin (42.6%), amoxicillin-clavulanic-acid (42.6%), and streptomycin (43.7%). According to RT-PCR analysis, all of the samples were negative for the M gene of avian influenza virus. Moreover, isolation tests conducted on SPF eggs were negative for avian influenza and Newcastle disease. Several hyphomycetes and yeasts belonging to different genera were present in the specimens, and Criptococcus neoformans was observed in a pooled faecal sample. Antibiotic resistance in wildlife can be monitored to evaluate the impact of anthropic pressure. Furthermore, migratory birds are potential reservoirs of pathogenic agents; thus, they can be regarded as sentinel species and used as environmental health indicators.

Mots clés: Life Sciences

Domaines: Biologie animale

Maria Foti, Donatella Rinaldo, Annalisa Guercio, Cristina Giacopello, Aurora Aleo, et al.. Pathogenic microorganisms carried by migratory birds passing through the territory of the island of Ustica, Sicily (Italy). Avian Pathology, 2011, 40 (04), pp.405-409. ⟨10.1080/03079457.2011.588940⟩. ⟨hal-00722796⟩