{"title":"Molecular profiling of <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Campylobacter jejuni</i> isolated from captive avian species: Virulence factors and resistance patterns.","authors":"Aqsa Imtiaz, Syed Mohsin Bukhari, Ali Hussain, Shahid Mehmood, Fareeha Akhtar","doi":"10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i5.32","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This study characterizes <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Campylobacter jejuni</i> isolated from the fecal samples of captive avian species.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study aimed to assess their molecular and genetic profiles, including virulence and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) traits.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Fecal samples were collected from peafowl, pheasant, chukar partridge, turkey, and quail reared in avian farms in Kasur, Pakistan. Bacterial species were isolated and identified using selective culture techniques and biochemical tests. DNA was extracted through the phenol-chloroform method, and the 16S rRNA gene was amplified using species-specific primers for molecular identification. Sanger sequencing and Basic Local Alignment Search Tool analysis were employed for species confirmation and submission of sequences to National Center for Biotechnology Information. Virulence genes (<i>fla</i>A, <i>cdt</i>A, <i>cdt</i>B, and <i>dna</i>J for <i>C. jejuni</i>; <i>fim</i>A, <i>eae</i>, <i>stx</i>1, and <i>stx</i>2 for <i>E. coli</i>) and AMR genes (<i>tet</i>(O) and <i>bla</i>OXA-61 for <i>C. jejuni</i>; <i>tet</i>A, <i>tet</i>B, <i>bla</i>TEM, <i>bla</i>SHV, and <i>bla</i>CMY for <i>E. coli</i>) were detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The 16S rRNA gene sequences confirmed the identity of <i>E. coli</i> and <i>C. jejuni.</i> Virulence genes were widespread in <i>C. jejuni</i> (<i>cdt</i>A and <i>cdt</i>B: 100%; <i>fla</i>A: 80%; <i>dna</i>J: 40%) and <i>E. coli</i> (<i>fim</i>A: 100%; <i>eae</i> 20%; <i>stx</i>1/<i>stx</i>2 10%). AMR genes were highly prevalent in both species. According to PCR results, all the examined <i>E. coli</i> isolates had both beta lactam and (<i>tet</i>A, <i>tet</i>B) resistance genes. The presence of virulence and resistance genes highlights the pathogenic potential of <i>E. coli</i> and <i>C. jejuni</i> in captive avian species, underscoring the importance of monitoring these pathogens in avian farms.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings contribute to understanding the role and molecular epidemiology of these bacterial species in public health.</p>","PeriodicalId":19531,"journal":{"name":"Open Veterinary Journal","volume":"16 5","pages":"2899-2910"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6000,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13314104/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Open Veterinary Journal","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i5.32","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2026/5/31 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"VETERINARY SCIENCES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: This study characterizes Escherichia coli and Campylobacter jejuni isolated from the fecal samples of captive avian species.
Aim: This study aimed to assess their molecular and genetic profiles, including virulence and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) traits.
Methods: Fecal samples were collected from peafowl, pheasant, chukar partridge, turkey, and quail reared in avian farms in Kasur, Pakistan. Bacterial species were isolated and identified using selective culture techniques and biochemical tests. DNA was extracted through the phenol-chloroform method, and the 16S rRNA gene was amplified using species-specific primers for molecular identification. Sanger sequencing and Basic Local Alignment Search Tool analysis were employed for species confirmation and submission of sequences to National Center for Biotechnology Information. Virulence genes (flaA, cdtA, cdtB, and dnaJ for C. jejuni; fimA, eae, stx1, and stx2 for E. coli) and AMR genes (tet(O) and blaOXA-61 for C. jejuni; tetA, tetB, blaTEM, blaSHV, and blaCMY for E. coli) were detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Results: The 16S rRNA gene sequences confirmed the identity of E. coli and C. jejuni. Virulence genes were widespread in C. jejuni (cdtA and cdtB: 100%; flaA: 80%; dnaJ: 40%) and E. coli (fimA: 100%; eae 20%; stx1/stx2 10%). AMR genes were highly prevalent in both species. According to PCR results, all the examined E. coli isolates had both beta lactam and (tetA, tetB) resistance genes. The presence of virulence and resistance genes highlights the pathogenic potential of E. coli and C. jejuni in captive avian species, underscoring the importance of monitoring these pathogens in avian farms.
Conclusion: The findings contribute to understanding the role and molecular epidemiology of these bacterial species in public health.
期刊介绍：
Open Veterinary Journal is a peer-reviewed international open access online and printed journal that publishes high-quality original research articles. reviews, short communications and case reports dedicated to all aspects of veterinary sciences and its related subjects. Research areas include the following: Infectious diseases of zoonotic/food-borne importance, applied biochemistry, parasitology, endocrinology, microbiology, immunology, pathology, pharmacology, physiology, epidemiology, molecular biology, immunogenetics, surgery, ophthalmology, dermatology, oncology and animal reproduction. All papers are peer-reviewed. Moreover, with the presence of well-qualified group of international referees, the process of publication will be done meticulously and to the highest standards.
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