Role of domestic birds in transmission of Escherichia coli and Salmonella species as a zoonotic pathogens

Abstract

The role of domestic birds as a zoonotic reservoirs and sources of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Salmonella species was investigated. For this purpose, a total of 442 samples were collected from 191 poultry (70 chicken, 51 ducks and 70 pigeons) and humans (25 stool specimens and 35 hand swabs). Concerning poultry samples, two samples (one cloacal swab and another feather) were taken from each bird. All samples were subjected for isolation and identification of E. coli and Salmonella spp., the recovered isolates were serologically typed. PCR technique was used for further characterization of some E. coli and Salmonella strains. Occurrence of E. coli isolated from cloacal swabs of birds was 37.4%, while Salmonella spp. was 5.1%. E. coli. Overall percentages of E. coli isolated from feather samples of birds was 37.4%, meantime Salmonella spp. was 4.6%. Regarding the isolated strains from human, E. coli isolated from hand swabs of poultry handlers was 20%, and Salmonella spp. was 2%. While occurrence of E. coli isolated from feacal samples of poultry handlers was 64% and Salmonella spp. was 4%. The typed E. coli serotypes as O91:H21, were characterized strain EHEC (enterohemorrhagic E. coli), O2:H6, O78, O1:H7, O146:H21, O44:H18, O114:H4 and O158 were strain characterized EPEC (enteropathogenic E. coli), O127:H6 were strain characterized ETEC (enterotoxigenic E. coli). It was concluded that domestic poultry in the examined areas considered a significant zoonotic reservoir for E. coli and Salmonella spp. Same serotypes and genotypes of E. coli and Salmonella spp. could be detected in both domestic poultry and humans, suggesting its zoonotic importance and these serotypes are circulated between domestic poultry and humans in the examined areas. The public health importance, healthy education as well as other precautions and preventive measures that recommended to the infection of such zoonotic bacteria in domestic birds and humans were fully discussed.