Survey on the Occurrence of Zoonotic Bacterial Pathogens in the Feces of Wolves (<i>Canis lupus italicus</i>) Collected in a Protected Area in Central Italy
Previous investigations have explored the involvement of wolves in parasitic and viral diseases, but data on the zoonotic bacteria are limited. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of bacterial zoonotic agents in 16 wolf (<i>Canis lupus italicus</i>) fecal samples collected...
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2024-11-01
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| author | Fabrizio Bertelloni Giulia Cagnoli Valentina Virginia Ebani |
| author_facet | Fabrizio Bertelloni Giulia Cagnoli Valentina Virginia Ebani |
| author_sort | Fabrizio Bertelloni |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Previous investigations have explored the involvement of wolves in parasitic and viral diseases, but data on the zoonotic bacteria are limited. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of bacterial zoonotic agents in 16 wolf (<i>Canis lupus italicus</i>) fecal samples collected in a protected area in Central Italy. <i>Campylobacter</i> spp., <i>Salmonella</i> spp., <i>Yersinia</i> spp., <i>Listeria monocytogenes,</i> and Shiga Toxin-Producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> (STEC) were investigated by culture, while polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to detect <i>Coxiella burnetii</i>, <i>Mycobacterium</i> spp., <i>Brucella</i> spp., and <i>Francisella tularensis</i>. The presence of Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase (ESBL)- and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae was also evaluated, using selective isolation media and detection of antimicrobial resistance genes. All samples were negative for <i>Campylobacter</i> spp., <i>Salmonella</i> spp., <i>C. burnetii</i>, <i>Mycobacterium</i> spp., <i>Brucella</i> spp., <i>F. tularensis</i>, and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae. One sample tested positive for <i>Yersinia aldovae</i> and three for <i>Yersinia enterocolitica</i> BT1A. One <i>L. monocytogenes</i> (serogroup IIa) and one STEC, carrying the <i>stx1</i> gene, were isolated. Two ESBL isolates were detected: one <i>Serratia fonticola</i>, carrying <i>bla<sub>FONA-3/6</sub></i> gene, and one <i>Escherichia coli</i>, carrying <i>bla<sub>CTX-M-1</sub></i> gene. Both ESBL isolates were resistant to different antimicrobials and therefore classified as multi-drug-resistant. Our data suggest that wolves are potential carriers of zoonotic bacteria and may contribute to the environmental contamination through their feces. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-022190d18f52478491449238d222f3e8 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-2607 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
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| series | Microorganisms |
| spelling | doaj-art-022190d18f52478491449238d222f3e82024-11-26T18:15:07ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072024-11-011211236710.3390/microorganisms12112367Survey on the Occurrence of Zoonotic Bacterial Pathogens in the Feces of Wolves (<i>Canis lupus italicus</i>) Collected in a Protected Area in Central ItalyFabrizio Bertelloni0Giulia Cagnoli1Valentina Virginia Ebani2Department of Veterinary Science, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Science, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Science, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, ItalyPrevious investigations have explored the involvement of wolves in parasitic and viral diseases, but data on the zoonotic bacteria are limited. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of bacterial zoonotic agents in 16 wolf (<i>Canis lupus italicus</i>) fecal samples collected in a protected area in Central Italy. <i>Campylobacter</i> spp., <i>Salmonella</i> spp., <i>Yersinia</i> spp., <i>Listeria monocytogenes,</i> and Shiga Toxin-Producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> (STEC) were investigated by culture, while polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to detect <i>Coxiella burnetii</i>, <i>Mycobacterium</i> spp., <i>Brucella</i> spp., and <i>Francisella tularensis</i>. The presence of Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase (ESBL)- and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae was also evaluated, using selective isolation media and detection of antimicrobial resistance genes. All samples were negative for <i>Campylobacter</i> spp., <i>Salmonella</i> spp., <i>C. burnetii</i>, <i>Mycobacterium</i> spp., <i>Brucella</i> spp., <i>F. tularensis</i>, and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae. One sample tested positive for <i>Yersinia aldovae</i> and three for <i>Yersinia enterocolitica</i> BT1A. One <i>L. monocytogenes</i> (serogroup IIa) and one STEC, carrying the <i>stx1</i> gene, were isolated. Two ESBL isolates were detected: one <i>Serratia fonticola</i>, carrying <i>bla<sub>FONA-3/6</sub></i> gene, and one <i>Escherichia coli</i>, carrying <i>bla<sub>CTX-M-1</sub></i> gene. Both ESBL isolates were resistant to different antimicrobials and therefore classified as multi-drug-resistant. Our data suggest that wolves are potential carriers of zoonotic bacteria and may contribute to the environmental contamination through their feces.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/12/11/2367Italian wolf (<i>Canis lupus italicus</i>)zoonosis<i>Yersinia enterocolitica</i><i>Listeria monocytogenes</i>Shiga Toxin-Producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> (STEC)antimicrobial resistance |
| spellingShingle | Fabrizio Bertelloni Giulia Cagnoli Valentina Virginia Ebani Survey on the Occurrence of Zoonotic Bacterial Pathogens in the Feces of Wolves (<i>Canis lupus italicus</i>) Collected in a Protected Area in Central Italy Microorganisms Italian wolf (<i>Canis lupus italicus</i>) zoonosis <i>Yersinia enterocolitica</i> <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i> Shiga Toxin-Producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> (STEC) antimicrobial resistance |
| title | Survey on the Occurrence of Zoonotic Bacterial Pathogens in the Feces of Wolves (<i>Canis lupus italicus</i>) Collected in a Protected Area in Central Italy |
| title_full | Survey on the Occurrence of Zoonotic Bacterial Pathogens in the Feces of Wolves (<i>Canis lupus italicus</i>) Collected in a Protected Area in Central Italy |
| title_fullStr | Survey on the Occurrence of Zoonotic Bacterial Pathogens in the Feces of Wolves (<i>Canis lupus italicus</i>) Collected in a Protected Area in Central Italy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Survey on the Occurrence of Zoonotic Bacterial Pathogens in the Feces of Wolves (<i>Canis lupus italicus</i>) Collected in a Protected Area in Central Italy |
| title_short | Survey on the Occurrence of Zoonotic Bacterial Pathogens in the Feces of Wolves (<i>Canis lupus italicus</i>) Collected in a Protected Area in Central Italy |
| title_sort | survey on the occurrence of zoonotic bacterial pathogens in the feces of wolves i canis lupus italicus i collected in a protected area in central italy |
| topic | Italian wolf (<i>Canis lupus italicus</i>) zoonosis <i>Yersinia enterocolitica</i> <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i> Shiga Toxin-Producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> (STEC) antimicrobial resistance |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/12/11/2367 |
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