Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in Wild Birds from a Wildlife Rescue Centre

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Wildlife may be zoonotic carriers of pathogens. The aim of this paper was to investigate the presence of Campylobacter (C.) jejuni and C. coli, which are responsible for enteric syndromes and sometimes extraintestinal diseases in humans, in wild birds housed at a wildlife rescue centre. Sensitivity to antibiotics was also investigated in the detected strains. Two hundred and nine birds belonging to 33 different species were considered in the study. Campylobacter was found in 52 birds (24.88%), mainly in omnivorous species. In terms of housing conditions, the infection rate was higher in birds housed in indoor (57.14%) than in outdoor aviaries (31.74%). Interestingly, Campylobacter was not detected in some species whose mean temperature body was below 40 °C or higher than 42.2 °C. All detected strains were C. jejuni except for three C. coli that were identified in Long-eared Owls. The most commonly found antibiotic resistance was against drugs such as trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, ciprofloxacin and enrofloxacin. Multi-drug resistance against two or more antibiotics was also detected. The findings of the study highlight the relevance of increasing biosecurity measures at the wildlife rescue centres to reduce health risks to staff involved in wildlife management. ABSTRACT: Climate change, excessive exploitation of agricultural land which reduces natural habitats, wildlife shooting, and the use of pesticides all cause difficulties for wildlife, with considerable numbers of animals being brought to wildlife rescue centres. Although the efforts of staff involved in wildlife management at these centres usually focus on therapeutic treatments to reintroduce them into the wild, the monitoring of pathogens that may be transmitted to humans is of relevance. Campylobacter (C.) jejuni and C. coli are frequently carried by animals without inducing clinical signs and are responsible for enteric disorders and more rarely extra-intestinal disease in humans. Farm species and poultry, in particular, are the main reservoirs of C. jejuni and C. coli, but wild animals may also be carriers. The aim of this paper was to investigate the presence of C. jejuni and C. coli in wild birds housed at a wildlife rescue centre and to evaluate the sensitivity of the detected strains to antibiotics. Campylobacter was found in 52 out of 209 (24.88%) birds from 33 different species. C. jejuni was more prevalent, while C. coli was only detected in three Long-eared Owls (Asio otus). The incidence of the infection was particularly high (72.22%) among omnivorous species. Infection rates were higher in birds housed indoors (57.14%) than outdoors (31.74%). Moreover, Campylobacter was not detected in species whose mean temperature body is below 40 °C or higher than 42.2 °C. The most common antibiotic resistance in the tested strains was against trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, ciprofloxacin and enrofloxacin. In addition, multi-drug resistance was also found. The results highlight the need to increase biosecurity measures at rescue centres so as to reduce health-related risks to workers involved in wildlife management.