English (United Kingdom)

https://curated-unify.zendy.io/wp-json/zendy-region/v1/featured_content/oa?rat=en

https://curated-unify.zendy.io/wp-json/zendy-region/v1/highlighted_journal/

Global: Zendy Plus annual

Presents the access of premium content as premium feature

Premium Content

Presents the keyphrase highlighting as premium feature

Keyphrase Highlighting

Presents the summarisation as premium feature

Summarisation

Insights

Presents the pdf analysis as premium feature

PDF Analysis

Presents the zaia usage as premium feature

ZAIA

Global: Zendy Tools annual

Global: Zendy Free Plan

Global: Zendy Tools monthly

Global: Zendy Plus monthly

Background   This study was aimed to investigate the intestinal microbiota in racing pigeons with regard to  Enterococcus  species distribution, virulence factors and antibiotic susceptibility. Three methods (API, Multiplex  sod A-PCR, 16S rRNA sequencing) were compared for  Enterococcus  species identification. Cloacal samples from 179 apparently healthy pigeons of 13 different flocks were tested.    Results  Multiplex  sod A-PCR and 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed almost perfect agreement in  Enterococcus  species identification. Isolates were identified as  Enterococcus columbae  (34.5%),  Enterococcus hirae  (20.7%),  Enterococcus faecalis  (11.7%),  Enterococcus faecium  (11.7%),  Enterococcus gallinarum  (9%),  Enterococcus mundtii  (4.8%),  Enterococcus casseliflavus  (3.4%),  Enterococcus cecorum  (2.1%),  Enterococcus durans  (2.1%). More  Enterococcus  species were found after the race season than before. The study showed differences between  Enterococcus  species in relation to 68.8% (22/32) biochemical parameters. Six out of seven virulence genes were detected:  gelE  (43.5%) , asa1  (42.1%),  efaA  (30.3%),  ace  (30.3%),  cylA  (27.6%), and  esp  (9%). None of the isolates harboured  hyl  gene. Overall 15.2% of  Enterococcus  isolates produced gelatinase, but 66.7%  gelE  genes were silent.  Enterococcus faecalis  showed the most often  efaA ,  ace  and gelatinase activity than other enterococcal species. Nearly all isolates (93.1%) were resistant to at least one antibiotic. The most frequent resistance was to enrofloxacin (80%), doxycycline with teicoplanin (73.1%), erythromycin (49.7%). The study revealed significant differences between some enterococcal species in the antibiotic susceptibility to different antibiotics.  Enterococcus columbae  and  E. cecorum  showed significantly more frequent resistance to chloramphenicol than other enterococci. The presence of VRE (19.3%), HLGR (2.8%) and no LRE were found. Overall 30.3% of isolates were positive for vancomycin resistance genes, where  van C1 ( E. gallinarum ),  van C2-C3 ( E. hirae ,  E. casseliflavus ),  van B ( E. columbae ) predominated.Conclusions   We conclude, that intestinal microbiota in racing pigeons is composed by 9 different  Enterococcus  species. Given that racing pigeons are kept in close contact with humans and backyard animals, combined with their long-distance flight abilities, they can serve as potential source of virulent and antibiotic resistant  Enterococcus  spp. in the environment.

Prevalence, antibiotic susceptibility and virulence factors of Enterococcus species in racing pigeons (Columba livia f. domestica)