Detection of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamases in Escherichia coli From Cage Birds

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli or other Enterobacteriaceae spp. are considered a global emerging public health problem. The objective of this research study was to determine the prevalence of ESBLs-producing E. coli in various pet birds in Hatay, Turkey. The 4 bacterial isolates obtained displayed different frequencies of antimicrobial susceptibility among 24 antibiotics. The 4 E. coli isolates were classified as group B1 based on phylogenetic analysis. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis was used to detect molecular typing of the β-lactam resistance gene (blaCTX-M) isolates and 2 different pulsotypes were revealed from the same pet shop. All CTX-M-producing E. coli isolates showed almost identical genotypes. For the first time, the presence of fecal-origin ESBL-producing E. coli was isolated from cage birds in Turkey. These results confirm the presence of ESBL-producing E. coli in cage birds as a potential risk factor for humans and other animals. Thus, continuous monitoring of antimicrobial-resistant organisms, including ESBL-producing bacteria in pet birds, and promotion of the necessary hygiene for caregivers is required to control the dissemination of these microbes.