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The increasing urbanization of ecosystems has had a significant impact on wildlife over the last few years. Species that find an unlimited supply of food and shelter in urban areas have thrived under human presence. Wild birds have been identified as amplifying hosts and reservoirs of Campylobacter worldwide, but the information about its transmission and epidemiology is still limited. This study assessed the prevalence of Campylobacter in 137 urban birds admitted at a wildlife rescue center, with 18.8% of individuals showing positive. C. jejuni was the most frequent species (82.6%), followed by C. coli and C. lari (4.3% each). The order Passeriformes (33.3%) showed significant higher presence of Campylobacter when compared to orders Columbiformes (0%) and Ciconiiformes (17.6%), as well as in samples collected during the summer season (31.9%), from omnivorous species (36.8%) and young individuals (26.8%). Globally, Campylobacter displayed a remarkable resistance to ciprofloxacin (70.6%), tetracycline (64.7%), and nalidixic acid (52.9%). In contrast, resistance to streptomycin was low (5.8%), and all the isolates showed susceptibility to erythromycin and gentamycin. The results underline the importance of urban birds as reservoirs of thermophilic antimicrobial-resistant Campylobacter and contribute to enhancing the knowledge of its distribution in urban and peri-urban ecosystems., Simple Summary: Wildlife has been described as a sylvatic reservoir for a multitude of pathogens. The interactions between wild birds, domestic animals, and humans in urban areas are high, so monitoring urban birds is key for the surveillance of zoonosis such as campylobacteriosis. This infection is mainly caused by thermophilic Campylobacter spp., and it is the most reported foodborne zoonosis in the European Union. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of thermophilic Campylobacter isolates and their antimicrobial resistance pattern in urban wild birds. Results showed that 16.8% of birds were positive for Campylobacter, with 82.4% of the isolates resistant to at least one antimicrobial. The taxonomic order of individuals, main diet, age, and season of sampling were significant factors associated with Campylobacter spp. carriage. Although the prevalence of Campylobacter was low, the rate of antimicrobial-resistant isolates is worrying, so similar studies should be included in the antimicrobial resistance surveillance programs., Ministerio de Transición Ecológica (España), Sección Deptal. de Fisiología (Veterinaria), Sección Deptal. de Farmacología y Toxicología (Veterinaria), Depto. de Nutrición y Ciencia de los Alimentos, Fac. de Veterinaria, TRUE, pub

Wild birds have been identified as a relevant reservoir of Campylobacter spp., therefore, a potential source of infection in humans and domestic animals. The objective of this study was to determine the occurrence of Campylobacter spp. on birds of prey in Spain. In addition, antibiotic resistance profiles of the isolates were evaluated. A total of 689 specimens of 28 raptor species were analyzed, with a resulting individual prevalence of 7.5%. C. jejuni was the most frequently isolated species (88.5%), followed by C. coli and C. lari (3.8% each). The occurrence of Campylobacter was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in nocturnal birds of prey (15.3%), in spring season (12.2%) and in carnivorous species (9.4%). Isolates displayed a remarkable resistance to nalidixic acid (69.9%), ciprofloxacin (69.9%), and tetracycline (55.6%), and a low resistance to streptomycin (6.7%). Our findings highlight the importance of birds of prey as reservoirs of Campylobacter strains and their significant role as carriers of antimicrobial resistance., Depto. de Fisiología, Fac. de Veterinaria, TRUE, pub

Simple Summary Wildlife rescue centers frequently admit animals with injuries and bone fractures. Open fractures are common in birds due to their anatomy, and this can lead to complications like osteomyelitis, which implies a serious bone infection and often necrosis, or death of the affected bone tissue. Antibiotic therapy is crucial, but the rise in antimicrobial-resistant isolates in wildlife raises concerns about treatment efficacy. A study focused on isolating, identifying, and assessing antimicrobial resistance in bacteria from wounds and fractures in wild birds. Among 36 isolates, Staphylococcus spp. dominated (63.8%), with 82.6% exhibiting antimicrobial resistance, particularly to clindamycin, an antimicrobial key in the treatment of infected bone fractures. This escalating resistance poses a dual threat to wildlife—therapeutic failure and the spread of resistant bacteria in ecosystems. Abstract Injuries and bone fractures are the most frequent causes of admission at wildlife rescue centers. Wild birds are more susceptible to open fractures due to their anatomical structure, which can lead to osteomyelitis and necrosis. Antibiotic therapy in these cases is indispensable, but the increase of antimicrobial-resistant isolates in wildlife has become a significant concern in recent years. In this context, the likelihood of antibiotic failure and death of animals with infectious issues is high. This study aimed to isolate, identify, and assess the antimicrobial resistance pattern of bacteria in wounds and open fractures in wild birds. To this end, injured birds admitted to a wildlife rescue center were sampled, and bacterial isolation and identification were performed. Then, antimicrobial susceptibility testing was assessed according to the disk diffusion method. In total, 36 isolates were obtained from 26 different birds. The genera detected were Staphylococcus spp. (63.8%), Escherichia (13.9%), Bacillus

La campilobacteriosis es la zoonosis transmitida por alimentos más frecuente en la Unión Europea y probablemente la causa más común de gastroenteritis de etiología bacteriana en el ser humano a nivel mundial. Se transmite principalmente por consumo de alimentos y agua contaminados con especies del género Campylobacter, siendo las especies termotolerantes las implicadas con mayor frecuencia. A pesar de que no es una enfermedad grave en la mayoría de los casos, presenta una alta incidencia y tiene importantes repercusiones en Salud Pública.Los animales de producción son el principal reservorio de Campylobacter en los países industrializados, fundamentalmente las aves de corral. Asimismo, muchas especies de animales salvajes pueden actuar también como reservorio de dicho microorganismo, pero son las aves silvestres las que presentan una mayor prevalencia y variedad de especies de Campylobacter. Además, se han aislado cepas potencialmente patógenas procedentes de estos animales en varios estudios y también se ha observado la presencia de los mismos genotipos en aves silvestres, humanos y animales de abasto. No obstante, los estudios sobre el papel de las aves silvestres como reservorios son escasos..., Campylobacteriosis is the most commonly reported zoonosis in the European Union and probably the most common bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide. It is mainly transmitted to humans through the consumption of contaminated food and water, being the thermophilic Campylobacter species the most frequently implicated. Despite the fact that it does not cause serious illness in most cases, Campylobacter infections have a impact effect on public health and economy.Food-producing animals (mostly chicken) are the main reservoir of Campylobacter in developed countries. Likewise, many species of wild animals can also act as a reservoir of this microorganism, but wild birds present the highest prevalence and variety of Campylobacter species. In addition, potentially pathogenic strains have been isolated from these animals in several studies and the same genotypes have also been observed in wild birds, humans and livestock. However, studies on the role of wild birds as reservoir of Campylobacter species are scarce...

La campilobacteriosis es la zoonosis transmitida por alimentos más frecuente en la Unión Europea y probablemente la causa más común de gastroenteritis de etiología bacteriana en el ser humano a nivel mundial. Se transmite principalmente por consumo de alimentos y agua contaminados con especies del género Campylobacter, siendo las especies termotolerantes las implicadas con mayor frecuencia. A pesar de que no es una enfermedad grave en la mayoría de los casos, presenta una alta incidencia y tiene importantes repercusiones en Salud Pública.Los animales de producción son el principal reservorio de Campylobacter en los países industrializados, fundamentalmente las aves de corral. Asimismo, muchas especies de animales salvajes pueden actuar también como reservorio de dicho microorganismo, pero son las aves silvestres las que presentan una mayor prevalencia y variedad de especies de Campylobacter. Además, se han aislado cepas potencialmente patógenas procedentes de estos animales en varios estudios y también se ha observado la presencia de los mismos genotipos en aves silvestres, humanos y animales de abasto. No obstante, los estudios sobre el papel de las aves silvestres como reservorios son escasos..., Campylobacteriosis is the most commonly reported zoonosis in the European Union and probably the most common bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide. It is mainly transmitted to humans through the consumption of contaminated food and water, being the thermophilic Campylobacter species the most frequently implicated. Despite the fact that it does not cause serious illness in most cases, Campylobacter infections have a impact effect on public health and economy.Food-producing animals (mostly chicken) are the main reservoir of Campylobacter in developed countries. Likewise, many species of wild animals can also act as a reservoir of this microorganism, but wild birds present the highest prevalence and variety of Campylobacter species. In addition, potentially pathogenic strains have been isolated from these animals in several studies and the same genotypes have also been observed in wild birds, humans and livestock. However, studies on the role of wild birds as reservoir of Campylobacter species are scarce...

La campilobacteriosis es la zoonosis transmitida por alimentos más frecuente en la Unión Europea y probablemente la causa más común de gastroenteritis de etiología bacteriana en el ser humano a nivel mundial. Se transmite principalmente por consumo de alimentos y agua contaminados con especies del género Campylobacter, siendo las especies termotolerantes las implicadas con mayor frecuencia. A pesar de que no es una enfermedad grave en la mayoría de los casos, presenta una alta incidencia y tiene importantes repercusiones en Salud Pública.Los animales de producción son el principal reservorio de Campylobacter en los países industrializados, fundamentalmente las aves de corral. Asimismo, muchas especies de animales salvajes pueden actuar también como reservorio de dicho microorganismo, pero son las aves silvestres las que presentan una mayor prevalencia y variedad de especies de Campylobacter. Además, se han aislado cepas potencialmente patógenas procedentes de estos animales en varios estudios y también se ha observado la presencia de los mismos genotipos en aves silvestres, humanos y animales de abasto. No obstante, los estudios sobre el papel de las aves silvestres como reservorios son escasos...