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- Title
Pathogenic Potential of Coagulase-Positive Staphylococcus Strains Isolated from Aviary Capercaillies and Free-Living Birds in Southeastern Poland.
- Authors
Sulikowska, Magdalena; Marek, Agnieszka; Jarosz, Łukasz Sebastian; Pyzik, Ewelina; Stępień-Pyśniak, Dagmara; Hauschild, Tomasz
- Abstract
Simple Summary: Bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus are a component of the natural microbiota of the skin and mucous membranes of animals and humans, but they can also cause endogenous or exogenous infections. They are divided into two groups: coagulase-positive staphylococci (CoPS), which have the ability to clot blood plasma, and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS). The intraspecific diversity of CoPS strains also translates into the variety of features presented by individual strains. A significant problem in veterinary medicine and animal husbandry is the growing resistance of staphylococci to antibiotics. Due to the progress of civilisation, contact between wildlife and the human environment is becoming more frequent, increasing the possibility of the exchange of microbial virulence factors in various ecosystems. The aim of the study was to analyse the occurrence and assessment of the pathogenic potential of individual species of coagulase-positive staphylococci isolated from dead capercaillies kept in aviaries as well as free-living birds in Southeastern Poland. The occurrence of multidrug-resistant CoPS in aviary capercaillies suggests their role in the transmission and spread of resistant strains into the environment. Our results also suggest that free-living birds may be a significant reservoir of enterotoxigenic Staphylococcus strains. The aim of the study was to determine the occurrence and characteristics of coagulase-positive Staphylococcus strains in the carcasses of wild birds and aviary capercaillies in Southeastern Poland. In total, samples taken from 333 birds were examined. The material consisted of swabs from the internal organs of dead birds (heart, liver, and spleen), the tarsal joints, and mucous membranes (conjunctiva and palatine fissure), as well as from unhatched embryos. The isolated Staphylococcus strains were tested for sensitivity to nine antimicrobial agents and the presence of selected virulence genes. An analysis of the similarity of isolates within species was performed using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The result indicates that coagulase-positive strains accounted for 5.7% and belonged to the species: Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, and Staphylococcus delphini. Among isolated strains, 15.8% were multidrug resistant. The most frequently detected virulence genes were hla in 58% of isolates and hlb and hld in 47.4% of isolates. The results of multiplex PCR showed the presence of genes responsible for the production of enterotoxins C, B, E, and J, in single isolates. It can be concluded that coagulase-positive Staphylococcus strains accounted for a small percentage of staphylococci isolated from free-living birds in the study area. The occurrence of multidrug-resistant coagulase-positive Staphylococcus strains in aviary capercaillies suggests that they play a role in the transmission and spread of resistant strains into the environment. Free-living birds may also be a reservoir of enterotoxigenic Staphylococcus strains.
- Subjects
POLAND; STAPHYLOCOCCUS; PULSED-field gel electrophoresis; AVIARIES; MICROBIAL sensitivity tests; STAPHYLOCOCCUS aureus; CONJUNCTIVA
- Publication
Animals (2076-2615), 2024, Vol 14, Issue 2, p295
- ISSN
2076-2615
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.3390/ani14020295