Pet Birds as Potential Reservoirs of Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria in Digestive and Respiratory Infections

Pet birds are increasingly recognized as potential reservoirs of zoonotic and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, raising concerns within the One Health framework. However, data on bacterial diversity and resistance profiles in clinically affected ornamental birds remain limited.

This study, conducted over three years (November 2022-March 2026), included 198 pet birds presenting with digestive and respiratory disorders. From these birds, clinical samples were analyzed bacteriologically; resulting isolates were identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and antimicrobial susceptibility assessed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method according to EUCAST and CLSI guidelines.

Bacterial growth was detected in 87.9% of cases, yielding 249 distinct isolates. Gram-positive cocci predominated (62.3%), led by Staphylococcus spp. (33.3%) and Enterococcus spp. (9.6%), while Escherichia coli (9.2%) was the primary Gram-negative species. At the genus level, Staphylococcus spp. demonstrated high susceptibility to amikacin (88.5%) but significant resistance to gentamicin (75.6%) and oxytetracycline (63.6%). In contrast, Escherichia spp. isolates were largely resistant, showing only 50% susceptibility to enrofloxacin and 40% to doxycycline, with resistance to tylosin reaching 90%. Overall, 57% of isolates were multidrug-resistant, with Staphylococcus spp. contributing most to this burden.

These findings characterize clinically ill pet birds as significant carriers of multidrug-resistant bacteria, highlighting the need for routine diagnostics and improved antimicrobial stewardship in avian medicine.