Birds are hosts for several zoonotic pathogens. Because of their high mobility, especially of longdistance migrants, birds can disperse these pathogens, affecting their distribution and phylogeography. We focused on Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, which includes the causative agents of Lyme borreliosis, as an example for tick-borne pathogens, to address the role of birds as propagation hosts of zoonotic agents at a large geographical scale. We collected ticks from passerine birds in 11 European countries. B. burgdorferi s.l. prevalence in Ixodes spp. was 37% and increased with latitude. The fieldfare Turdus pilaris and the blackbird T. merula carried ticks with the highest Borrelia prevalence (92 and 58%, respectively), whereas robin Erithacus rubecula ticks were the least infected (3.8%). Borrelia garinii was the most prevalent genospecies (61%), followed by B. valaisiana (24%), B. afzelii (9%), B. turdi (5%) and B. lusitaniae (0.5%). A novel Borrelia genospecies "Candidatus Borrelia aligera" was also detected. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analysis of B. garinii isolates together with the global collection of B. garinii genotypes obtained from the Borrelia MLST public database revealed that: (a) there was little overlap among genotypes from different continents, (b) there was no geographical structuring within Europe, and (c) there was no evident association pattern detectable among B. garinii genotypes from ticks feeding on birds, questing ticks or human isolates. These findings strengthen the hypothesis that the population structure and evolutionary biology of tick-borne pathogens are shaped by their host associations and the movement patterns of these hosts.

• MeSH
• Borrelia genetika   MeSH
• klíště mikrobiologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lymeská nemoc mikrobiologie   MeSH
• multilokusová sekvenční typizace metody   MeSH
• nemoci ptáků mikrobiologie   MeSH
• zpěvní ptáci mikrobiologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Evropa MeSH

The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance among 180 Escherichia coli strains isolated from 200 wild pheasants caught in rural areas of the Czech Republic (Eastern Moravia) and Slovakia (Western Region). The isolates were also classified into phylogenetic groups by the multiplex PCR method. Our findings demonstrated that 130 strains were resistant to ampicillin (72%), 160 strains to cephalothin (89%), and 40 strains to tetracycline (22%). Ten strains were found to be resistant to chloramphenicol and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (5.6%). In turn, all strains were sensitive to cefoperazone/sulbactam, ciprofloxacin, colistin, gentamicin, and piperacillin/tazobactam. Ten of the 180 isolates (5.6%) exhibited multi-resistant phenotypes, including resistances against beta-lactams, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, sulphonamides, and chloramphenicol. As far as we know, this is the first report describing antimicrobial resistance in E. coli from pheasants.

• MeSH
• antibakteriální látky farmakologie   MeSH
• bakteriální léková rezistence * MeSH
• Escherichia coli účinky léků   MeSH
• Galliformes * MeSH
• infekce vyvolané Escherichia coli epidemiologie   mikrobiologie   veterinární   MeSH
• mnohočetná bakteriální léková rezistence MeSH
• nemoci ptáků epidemiologie   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• prevalence MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• Slovenská republika MeSH

• MeSH
• bakteriální proteiny genetika   MeSH
• beta-laktamasy genetika   MeSH
• Enterobacter aerogenes genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• enterobakteriální infekce mikrobiologie   veterinární   MeSH
• nemoci ptáků mikrobiologie   MeSH
• plazmidy analýza   MeSH
• vrány * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• dopisy MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Kanada MeSH

The spread of antimicrobial resistance from human activity derived sources to natural habitats implicates wildlife as potential vectors of antimicrobial resistance transfer. Wild birds, including corvid species can disseminate mobile genetic resistance determinants through faeces. This study aimed to determine the occurrence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. isolates obtained from winter roosting sites of American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) and common ravens (Corvus corax) in Canada. Faecal swabs were collected at five roosting sites across Canada. Selective media isolation and multiplex PCR screening was utilized to identify PMQR genes followed by gene sequencing, pulse-field gel electrophoresis and multilocus sequence typing to characterize isolates. Despite the low prevalence of E. coli containing PMQR (1·3%, 6/449), qnrS1, qnrB19, qnrC, oqxAB and aac(6')-Ib-cr genes were found in five sequence types (ST), including E. coli ST 131. Conversely, one isolate of Klebsiella pneumoniae contained the plasmid-mediated resistance gene qnrB19. Five different K. pneumoniae STs were identified, including two novel types. The occurrence of PMQR genes and STs of public health significance in E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae recovered from corvids gives further evidence of the anthropogenic derived dissemination of antimicrobial resistance determinants at the human activity-wildlife-environment interface. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study examined large corvids as possible vector species for the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance in indicator and pathogenic bacteria as a means to assess the anthropogenic dissemination of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes. Although rare, PMQR genes were found among corvid populations across Canada. The clinically important Escherichia coli strain ST131 containing aac(6')-Ib-cr gene along with a four-class phenotypic antimicrobial resistance (AMR) pattern as well as one Klebsiella pneumoniae strain containing a qnrB19 gene were identified in one geographical location. Corvids are a viable vector for the circulation of PMQR genes and clinically important clones in wide-ranging environments.

• MeSH
• antibakteriální látky farmakologie   MeSH
• bakteriální léková rezistence genetika   MeSH
• chinolony farmakologie   MeSH
• Escherichia coli účinky léků   genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• infekce bakteriemi rodu Klebsiella farmakoterapie   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• infekce vyvolané Escherichia coli farmakoterapie   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• Klebsiella pneumoniae účinky léků   genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mikrobiální testy citlivosti MeSH
• multilokusová sekvenční typizace MeSH
• nemoci ptáků farmakoterapie   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• plazmidy genetika   MeSH
• průřezové studie MeSH
• vrány mikrobiologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Kanada MeSH

In the last two decades, the advent of molecular methods has revealed a remarkable diversity of rickettsiae (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) in invertebrates. Several species of these obligate intracellular bacteria are known to cause human infections, hence more attention has been directed towards human-biting ectoparasites. A spotted fever group Rickettsia sp. was previously detected in Ixodes lividus ticks (Ixodidae) associated with sand martins (Hirundinidae: Riparia riparia). In order to identify whether this rickettsia varies among isolated tick populations, a total of 1758 I. lividus ticks and five Ixodes ricinus ticks (Ixodidae) were collected in the Czech Republic and 148 I. lividus ticks were collected in Belgium, from nests of sand martins, European bee-eaters (Meropidae: Merops apiaster), Eurasian tree sparrows (Passeridae: Passer montanus), and from captured sand martins. We screened 165 and 78 I. lividus ticks (from the Czech Republic and Belgium, respectively) and all five I. ricinus ticks for the presence of rickettsial DNA. Only I. lividus samples were positive for Rickettsia vini, a spotted fever group rickettsia that commonly infects the tree-hole tick Ixodes arboricola (Ixodidae). Maximum likelihood analysis of the rickettsial sequences showed that the most closely related organism to R. vini corresponds to an uncharacterized rickettsia detected in Argas lagenoplastis (Argasidae), a nidicolous soft tick of the fairy martin (Hirundinidae: Petrochelidon ariel) in Australia. The observed variability of R. vini sequences from isolated tick populations was low; all 85 sequenced samples were identical to each other in five out of six partial rickettsial genes, except for the sca4 sequence (99.9% identity, 808/809 nt) that differed in I. lividus ticks from two sampling sites in the Czech Republic.

• MeSH
• Argasidae mikrobiologie   MeSH
• DNA bakterií genetika   MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• infestace klíšťaty epidemiologie   veterinární   MeSH
• klíště mikrobiologie   MeSH
• koevoluce genetika   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nemoci ptáků mikrobiologie   MeSH
• nymfa MeSH
• pravděpodobnostní funkce MeSH
• ptáci parazitologie   MeSH
• Rickettsia klasifikace   genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• rickettsiové infekce epidemiologie   mikrobiologie   veterinární   MeSH
• skvrnité horečky epidemiologie   mikrobiologie   veterinární   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Belgie epidemiologie   MeSH
• Česká republika epidemiologie   MeSH

American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) faeces were tested for Escherichia coli with plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR), extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) and AmpC beta-lactamases. A total of 590 faecal samples were collected at four roosting sites in the USA and cultivated on selective media. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) were performed to assess clonality. Transferability of resistance genes was studied using conjugation and transformation bioassays. In total, 78 (13%, n = 590) cefotaxime-resistant isolates were obtained, of which 66 and 12 displayed AmpC and ESBL phenotypes, respectively. Fifty-four AmpC-producing isolates carried blaCMY-2 . Isolates producing ESBLs contained genes blaCTX-M-27 (5 isolates), blaCTX-M-15 (4), blaCTX-M-14 (2) and blaCTX-M-1 (1). Ninety isolates (15%, n = 590) with reduced susceptibility to ciprofloxacin were obtained, among which 14 harboured PMQR genes aac(6')-Ib-cr (4 isolates), qnrB19 (3), qnrS1 (2), qnrA1 (2), qnrB2 (1), qnrB6 (1) and qnrD3 (1). High genetic diversity was revealed by PFGE and MLST. Epidemiologically important E. coli clones (e.g., ST131, ST405) were identified. Plasmids carrying blaCMY-2 were assigned predominantly to IncA/C (8 plasmids), IncI1/ST23 (5) and IncI1/ST12 (3). The study demonstrates a widespread occurrence of E. coli with ESBL, AmpC and PMQR genes associated with clinically important multidrug-resistant clones and epidemic plasmids, in American crows.

• MeSH
• antibakteriální látky MeSH
• bakteriální proteiny genetika   MeSH
• beta-laktamasy genetika   MeSH
• cefotaxim farmakologie   MeSH
• ciprofloxacin farmakologie   MeSH
• Escherichia coli účinky léků   genetika   MeSH
• infekce vyvolané Escherichia coli MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mikrobiální testy citlivosti MeSH
• multilokusová sekvenční typizace MeSH
• nemoci ptáků mikrobiologie   MeSH
• plazmidy genetika   MeSH
• proteiny z Escherichia coli genetika   MeSH
• pulzní gelová elektroforéza MeSH
• vrány mikrobiologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Spojené státy americké MeSH

Corvids have been identified as an important vector of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in several European countries. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of VRE in wildlife in Slovakia and to characterize vanA-carrying VRE. At the beginning of 2013, we collected 287 fecal samples of common raven (Corvus corax) in Petrovce and 99 fecal samples of rooks (Corvus frugilegus) in Kosice. Samples were cultured selectively on Slanetz-Bartley agar with vancomycin and screened for vanA, other resistance genes, and virulence genes. PCR mapping of Tn1546 carrying vanA gene was performed. Multilocus sequence typing and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis were used to examine the genotypic diversity of vanA-containing VRE. The mobility of vancomycin resistance traits was tested in vitro, using filter mating experiments. VRE with the vanA gene were found in 4 (1.4%) of 287 raven samples and in one (1%) of 99 rook samples. All 5 isolates belonged to Enterococcus faecium and were multiresistant with resistance to erythromycin encoded by the erm(B) gene, tetracycline (tet(M) and tet(L) genes), and ampicillin (mutations in C-terminal region of pbp5 gene). Isolates from Petrovce also were resistant to chloramphenicol. Virulence genes were not proven. The vanA gene was carried by Tn1546 types E (combined with insertion sequence IS1216) or F5 (IS1251). One isolate from a rook in Kosice belonged to ST (sequence type) 6 and the remaining four from ravens in Petrovce belonged to new ST917 (a single locus variant of ST18). All tested VRE were able to transfer the vancomycin resistance trait. In conclusion, we identified clinically important enterococci with the vanA gene in corvids in Slovakia.

• MeSH
• antibakteriální látky farmakologie   MeSH
• bakteriální proteiny genetika   MeSH
• divoká zvířata * MeSH
• Enterococcus faecium účinky léků   genetika   MeSH
• feces mikrobiologie   MeSH
• genetická variace MeSH
• grampozitivní bakteriální infekce epidemiologie   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• ligasy tvořící vazby C-O genetika   MeSH
• nemoci ptáků epidemiologie   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• prevalence MeSH
• rezistence na vankomycin genetika   MeSH
• vankomycin farmakologie   MeSH
• vrány mikrobiologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Slovenská republika epidemiologie   MeSH

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate the silver gull as an indicator of environmental contamination by salmonellae and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) in south-east Australia. METHODS: A total of 504 cloacal samples were collected from gull chicks at three nesting colonies in New South Wales, Australia [White Bay (n = 144), Five Islands (n = 200) and Montague Island (n = 160)] and were examined for salmonellae and CPE. Isolates were tested for carbapenemase genes and susceptibility to 14 antibiotics. Clonality was determined by PFGE and MLST. Genetic context and conjugative transfer of the carbapenemase gene were determined. RESULTS: A total of 120 CPE of 10 species, mainly Escherichia coli (n = 85), carrying the gene blaIMP-4, blaIMP-38 or blaIMP-26 were obtained from 80 (40%) gulls from Five Islands. Thirty percent of birds from this colony were colonized by salmonellae. Most isolates contained the gene within a class 1 integron showing a blaIMP-4-qacG-aacA4-catB3 array. The blaIMP gene was carried by conjugative plasmids of variable sizes (80-400 kb) and diverse replicons, including HI2-N (n = 30), HI2 (11), A/C (17), A/C-Y (2), L/M (5), I1 (1) and non-typeable (6). Despite the overall high genetic variability, common clones and plasmid types were shared by different birds and bacterial isolates, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate a large-scale transmission of carbapenemase-producing bacteria into wildlife, likely as a result of the feeding habits of the birds at a local waste depot. The isolates from gulls showed significant similarities with clinical isolates from Australia, suggesting the human origin of the isolates. The sources of CPE for gulls on Five Islands should be explored and proper measures applied to stop the transmission into the environment.

• MeSH
• antibakteriální látky farmakologie   MeSH
• bakteriální proteiny analýza   genetika   MeSH
• beta-laktamasy analýza   genetika   MeSH
• Charadriiformes mikrobiologie   MeSH
• Enterobacteriaceae enzymologie   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• enterobakteriální infekce epidemiologie   mikrobiologie   veterinární   MeSH
• genotyp MeSH
• kloaka mikrobiologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mikrobiální testy citlivosti MeSH
• molekulární epidemiologie MeSH
• molekulární typizace MeSH
• nemoci ptáků epidemiologie   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• ostrovy epidemiologie   MeSH
• prevalence MeSH
• ptáci MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Nový Jižní Wales epidemiologie   MeSH
• ostrovy epidemiologie   MeSH

Wild birds are common hosts of ticks and can transport them for long distances, contributing to the spreading of tick-borne pathogens. The information about ticks on birds and tick-borne pathogens in Greece is limited. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and species of ticks infesting wild resident birds (mostly small passerines) in Greece, and to assess Borrelia and Rickettsia infection in the collected ticks. Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. was performed by nested PCR targeting the flaB gene. Rickettsia spp. were detected by PCR targeting the gltA and ompA genes. Seven (2 %) out of 403 birds examined in northern Greece in 2013 were infested with 15 ticks, identified as Ixodes frontalis, Ixodes acuminatus, Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma aegyptium and Hyalomma sp. All ticks were negative for Borrelia spp. while four of them were positive for rickettsiae (Rickettsia aeschlimannii in H. aegyptium and Rickettsia sp. in I. frontalis, H. aegyptium and H. marginatum). Ixodes acuminatus is reported for the first time in Greece and Sylvia borin is reported as a new host record for I. acuminatus.

• MeSH
• Borrelia izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• divoká zvířata * MeSH
• infestace klíšťaty epidemiologie   parazitologie   veterinární   MeSH
• Ixodidae mikrobiologie   MeSH
• nemoci ptáků epidemiologie   mikrobiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• Passeriformes MeSH
• ptáci MeSH
• Rickettsia izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Řecko epidemiologie   MeSH

It is well understood that Salmonella is carried by animals and in majority of cases as asymptomatic hosts. Surveillance efforts have focused on the role of agriculture and contamination points along the food chain as the main source of human infection; however, very little attention has been paid to the contribution of wildlife in the dissemination of Salmonella and what effect anthropogenic sources have on the circulation of antibiotic resistant Salmonella serovars in wildlife species. A purposive survey was taken of large corvids roosting yearly between November and March in Europe and North America. Two thousand and seven hundred and seventy-eight corvid faecal specimens from 11 countries were submitted for Salmonella spp. culture testing. Presumptive positive isolates were further serotyped, susceptibility tested and analysed for antibiotic resistance genes. Overall, 1.40% (39/2778) (CI = 1.01, 1.90) of samples were positive for Salmonella spp. Salmonella Enteritidis was the most prevalent serovar followed by S. Infantis, S. Montevideo and S. Typhimurium. No significant difference (P > 0.05) was found in the proportion of Salmonella recovered in Europe versus North America. The most variability of serovars within a site was in Kansas, USA with five different serovars recovered. European sites were significantly more likely to yield Salmonella resistant to more than one antibiotic (OR 71.5, P < 0.001, CI = 3.77, 1358) than North American sites, where no resistance was found. Resistance to nalidixic acid, a quinolone, was recovered in nine isolates from four serovars in four different sites across Europe. Large corvids contribute to the transmission and dissemination of Salmonella and resistance genes between human and animal populations and across great distances. This information adds to the knowledge base of zoonotic pathogen prevalence and antibiotic resistance ecology in wild birds.

• MeSH
• bakteriální léková rezistence genetika   MeSH
• feces mikrobiologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mikrobiální testy citlivosti MeSH
• nemoci ptáků epidemiologie   mikrobiologie   přenos   MeSH
• prevalence MeSH
• Salmonella účinky léků   genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• salmonelová infekce u zvířat epidemiologie   mikrobiologie   přenos   MeSH
• salmonelóza farmakoterapie   epidemiologie   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• vrány mikrobiologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Evropa MeSH
• Severní Amerika MeSH