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Although African lions (Panthera leo) are listed as vulnerable species, it is a famous practice in certain nations to display them in the circus. To date, the gastrointestinal bacterial flora of lions is poorly understood. This study aimed to clarify the zoonotic potential isolation of the bacteria posed by lions of the Egyptian national circus along with PCR screening for their virulence and antibiotic resistance genes. Nine captive African lions were examined bacteriologically. Clostridia spp. was the most prevalent bacteria (55.5%) in lions, then Staphylococcus spp. (33.3%), followed by E. coli and Edwardsiella spp. (22.2% for each) and Serratia spp. (11.1%). The isolated bacteria showed multiple drug resistance patterns of multiple antibiotics (ampicillin, cefepime, cefoxitin, piperacillin, amoxicillin, chloramphenicol, ceftazidime and tetracycline). Two isolates of C. perfringens were positive for Alpha toxin and bla resistant genes using PCR. Also, all S. aureus isolates were confirmed by the presence of 16s rRNA gene and exhibited the virulence (spa, and coa) and resistance (blaZ) genes. Additionally, the two isolated E. coli strains were positive for virulence (phoA, eaeA) and resistance (Aada1) gene but, Aada2 was completely absent. In conclusion, this study is actually unprecedented and provides a start for the upcoming research to investigate the current health status of captive wild animals exhibited at the circuses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, there is limited data about the genetic relationship of Escherichia coli between wild birds and cattle because these birds act as silent vectors for many zoonotic bacteria. This study aimed to elucidate the role of rooming wild birds in the vicinity of cattle farm in transmission of the same pathogenic E. coli variants, identifying their virulence, resistance traits and genetic similarities of fimH virulence gene. About 240 faecal/cloacal swabs were collected from both species and examined bacteriologically. Escherichia coli was yielded in 45.8% and 32.5%, respectively, of examined cattle and wild birds. The most prevalent detected E. coli serovar was O26. High tetracycline and chloramphenicol resistance were recorded; however, gentamycin and ciprofloxacin exhibited the highest sensitivity rates. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) conserved genotypic resistance (tetA and blaCTX-M) and virulence attributes (fimH, stx1, eaeA and ompA) of E. coli isolates were discussed in detail. The fimH gene revealed 100% sequence similarity when comparing with different E. coli isolates globally and locally. Finally, a close genetic association of E. coli with both wild birds and cattle was detected, thus strengthening its role in the dissemination of the infection via environment. Prevention and conservative policy should be carried as E. coli constitute enormous significant zoonotic risks to livestock and animal workers. Also, further studies to the whole genome sequencing of fimH, other virulence and resistance genes of E. coli are recommended trying to limit the possibilities of co-infection and transfer among different species. Contribution: The current study recorded updated data about the critical infectious role of wild birds to livestock, including cattle farms in Egypt. It also delivered some recommendations for good hygienic practices in cattle farms which must be implemented for handling animal manure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]