Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecium isolated from pigeon droppings (Columba livia) in the external environment close to hospitals

BACKGROUND: Domestic pigeons carry pathogens in their droppings, posing a potential public health problem. METHODS: The phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial resistances of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecium in the feces of urban pigeons near hospitals with intensive care units were measured. RESULTS: Twenty-nine samples showed Enterococcus growth, whereas one was positive for S. aureus. The S. aureus isolate was sensitive to the antibiotics tested via antibiogram, however resistance genes were identified. E. faecium isolates showed phenotypic resistance to gentamicin, erythromycin, and ciprofloxacin. CONCLUSIONS: Antimicrobial profiles harmful to health were demonstrated in bacterial pathogens isolated from the external environment of hospitals.