SURVEY OF Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus IN ARDEIDS: INVESTIGATION OF POTENTIAL RESERVOIRS

Ardeids are wild birds well adapted to urban and periurban environments. However, the association of wildlife with humans and livestock increases the chances of transmission of microorganisms between wild animals, domestic animals and humans. The present study aimed to investigate the occurrence of Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in Ardeids living in a nest located on the Campus of the Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA), in Lavras, Minas Gerais, Southeast Region of Brazil. Ten great egrets (Ardea alba) and five cattle egrets (Bubulcus ibis) found dead or dying were collected for the study, examined, and cloacal swabs were collected from each bird. Most of these birds (92.85%) were chicks. Necropsy was carried out, after euthanasia of the dying animals. Organs/tissues samples from all birds were collected for histopathologic exam and for microbiologic analysis when macroscopic lesions were present. Salmonella spp. were detected in 42.85% of the collected egrets and E. coli in 64.28%. Staphylococcus aureus was not detected in any of them. The vast majority of PCR positive colonies was obtained by cloacal swab, which means that the agents were being eliminated by the birds' excreta and may represent a significant public health concern.