Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from nonhealing wound in a canary bird (Serinus canarius domesticus)

Little is known about the presence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a canary bird (Serinus canarius domesticus). Although MRSA in a canary bird was previously reported, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first full description of the isolation and antibiotic resistance pattern of MRSA in this pet bird. A swab was taken from the nonhealing wound on the lateral thigh of a four-year-old, caged, housed alone, male canary bird. After the identification of Staphylococcus aureus, the antibiotic susceptibility profile of the isolate was obtained by the disk diffusion test. According to the resistance to Oxacillin and Cefoxitin, the isolate was identified as MRSA. The mecA gene was confirmed by PCR. The bird was treated by offering drinking water medicated with an injectable enrofloxacin formulation at 200 mg/L over 10 days period. Two weeks after therapy, intensive contraction of the wound was observed with a reduction in size. A week later, the complete epithelization of the wound defect was verified. In this study, we could not confirm the source of infection in a canary bird, but we believe that transmission was from wild birds when the cage was putting out in order to allow the bird to sunbathe or more likely via contact with the owner. The results of this study underline the necessity for further investigations on the epidemiological role of canary birds as potential reservoirs of MRSA.