Prevalence of bacteria and parasites in White Ibis in Egypt

A field survey was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of bacterial infections among free-living White Ibis (Nipponia nippon) in which 92 bacterial isolates were recovered from 193 different internal organs of 55 apparently healthy Ibis. Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. were isolated at rates of 43.6% and 14.5%, respectively. The other bacterial pathogens isolated were Shigella spp. (34.5%), Enterobacter spp. (21.8%) Citrobacter spp. (18.1%), Klebsiella pneumonia (16.3), Staphylococcus aureus (10.9%) and Proteus mirabilis (7.2%). The antibiogram indicated that all isolates were highly sensitive to ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin, trimethoprim and penicillin. Penicillin was most effective against S. aureus. An examination of the gastrointestinal tract revealed the presence of a nematode, Ascaris (Porroceacum ensicaudatum), and three trematodes (Echinochasmus perfoliatus, Apatemon aracilis and Patagifer bilobus). Other trematodes were detected in enlarged gall bladder and kidney lesions. Histopathological examination showed signs of hepatitis. The gall bladder had cholangitis, cholicystitis which may have been caused by trematode infestation. The kidneys also showed multiple parasitic cysts of trematodes and non-suppurative interstitial nephritis. This study suggests the possible role of the White Ibis, when living near poultry populations, in transmitting certain pathogens to poultry.