Abstract

Aim: Main purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of cephalosporin-resistant Escherichia coli in wild and domestic birds.

Method and materials:  Total 320 freshly voided faecal samples were collected from four different common species of wild birds and domestic birds in the study area. The samples were subjected to standard bacteriological examination. The antibiotics susceptibility pattern of E. coli isolates recovered from the samples were determined using cefepime and ceftriaxone which belongs to cephalosporin group and 7 other antibiotics.

Results: An overall prevalence of 17.06% of E. coli was isolated and from wild birds recorded 6.67% of E. coli while domestic birds recorded 22.73%. The wild birds showed that out of 8 isolates, 7 were resistant to Ceftriaxone while the domestic birds showed that out 50 isolates, 48 were resistant to Ceftriaxone. Some isolates from the domestic birds showed to be resistant to both cephalosporins. Nalidixic Acid showed the highest resistant (87.5% and 100%) from the isolates from both birds while Streptomycin recorded the least (12.5% and 6%).

Conclusion: In conclusion, the presence of resistant E. coli in wild birds is indicative that birds have been feeding on contaminated animal wastes or carcasses and drinking of contaminated water. These organisms could also be transmited to domestic birds in other environments because they are migratory birds.

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