Migratory Wild Birds as a Potential Disseminator of Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria around Al-Asfar Lake, Eastern Saudi Arabia

A study reveals that migratory wild birds around Al-Asfar Lake, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Al-Ahsa Oasis, serve as reservoirs and potential disseminators of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria. Researchers analyzed cloacal swabs from 210 birds representing four species, identifying E. coli, Staphylococcus, and Salmonella spp., with E. coli showing significant resistance to multiple antibiotics, including penicillins, sulfonamides, aminoglycosides, and tetracyclines. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains were detected in both E. coli and Staphylococcus isolates but not in Salmonella. Notably, aquatic-associated bird species exhibited higher rates of bacterial recovery, mixed infections, MDR, and AMR indices. The study underscores the role of migratory birds in maintaining, developing, and spreading AMR bacteria, emphasizing their significance in AMR ecology research.

Elsohaby, I., Samy, A., Elmoslemany, A., Alorabi, M., Alkafafy, M., Aldoweriej, A., Al-Marri, T., Elbehiry, A., & Fayez, M. (2021). Migratory Wild Birds as a Potential Disseminator of Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria around Al-Asfar Lake, Eastern Saudi Arabia. Antibiotics, 10(3), 260. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics10030260