Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) has a great public health importance. This study was conducted to investigate the potential role of migratory birds in the transmission of STEC. For this purpose, cloacal swabs were collected from 349 migratory birds (209 ducks and 140 quails) from Damietta governorate, Egypt. The collected swabs were cultured for isolation of STEC using the STEC CHROMagar. STEC isolates were identified based on colonial characteristics, Gram’s stain, conventional biochemical tests and molecular detection of stx1, stx2 and eae genes. Positive isolates were serotyped and examined for their antibiotic susceptibility pattern. Furthermore, gene sequencing was performed for genes stx1and stx2. Of the examined birds, two STEC isolates were a obtained with an overall occurrence rate 0.57% (2/349), one isolate carried stx2 gene from a migratory quail 0.71% (1/140), and another isolate from a migratory duck carried stx1 gene 0.48% (1/209), whereas both isolates were negative for eae gene. Moreover, the duck isolate was serotyped O86, while the quail isolate was serotyped O125; both isolates were multidrug resistant. The phylogenetic analysis of the obtained stx1 and stx2 genes revealed high genetic relatedness to those isolated from human cases in the countries where such birds either lived or were in their migratory pathway. In conclusion, this study highlights the potential role of migratory birds in transmitting multidrug-resistant STEC across their migratory pathway.

Toxoplasma gondii is a globally prevalent zoonotic parasite with major public health and veterinary impacts. In Egypt, One Health data on its distribution among blood donors and livestock are limited. This multicentric cross-sectional study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii among asymptomatic blood donors and livestock across six different Egyptian governorates and to identify the associated risk factors. Serum samples of 2000 asymptomatic blood donors and 500 animals (cattle and buffaloes) were tested for anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM antibodies using ELISA. Sociodemographic and behavioral data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Overall IgG seroprevalence in blood donors was 41.8%, with IgM seropositivity at 2.1%. Significant regional variation was observed (p < 0.001), ranging from 66.5% in Alexandria to 16% in Cairo. The most significant risk factors were consumption of undercooked meat, contact with cats, and engagement in agricultural activities (p < 0.001). Among livestock, IgG and IgM seroprevalence were 7.2% and 5.2%, respectively, indicating active parasite circulation. The presence of seropositivity among apparently healthy donors raises concerns regarding transfusion safety. These findings highlight substantial and regionally heterogeneous Toxoplasma gondii exposure in Egypt. A One Health approach integrating public health education, food safety measures, and targeted screening of high-risk populations and animals is essential to reduce disease burden.

Objectives: This study investigates the occurrence and characteristics of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing and polymyxin-resistant Escherichia coli isolated from raw milk cheese and chicken carcasses in Egypt. In addition, the study evaluates the antibacterial activity of various algal extracts from Padina pavonica and Polycladia myrica, collected from the Red Sea, Egypt, against selected virulent and multidrug-resistant E. coli isolates. Methods: A total of 200 samples, comprising raw milk cheese samples (n = 100) and chicken carcass samples (n = 100), were examined for the presence of E. coli. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed for all isolates using the disk diffusion and broth microdilution techniques. Phenotypic confirmation of various resistance traits was conducted to confirm resistance patterns. PCR screening was performed for various resistance genes and virulence-associated genes. Phylogenetic grouping analysis of the E. coli isolates examined was also performed. Two algal extracts of P. pavonica and P. myrica were screened using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and evaluated against our panel of virulent MDR foodborne E. coli isolates using the resazurin-based microtiter dilution method. Results: Among the 200 food samples, E. coli was recovered from 14% of samples and confirmed by using phoA gene detection. Of the recovered isolates, 64.3% were multidrug-resistant (MDR), with the majority originating from chicken carcasses (88.9%). Most isolates (92.9%) carried ≥3 virulence genes, with iss (100%), iutA (92.9%), and eaeA (89.3%) being the predominant determinants. Potential EPEC profiles were the most frequently detected (60.7%), followed by EHEC profiles (28.6%), whereas potential STEC/non-EHEC hybrid and ExPEC profiles were detected in 7.1% and 3.6% of isolates, respectively. The bla_CTX-M gene predominated among ESBL determinants (96.4%), while bla_SHV, bla_CMY-2, and mcr-1 were also detected. Notably, mcr-1 was identified in 82.1% of isolates, with frequent co-occurrence of mcr-1 and ESBL genes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that most isolates belonged to group B1 (85.7%), whereas groups D and B2 accounted for 10.7% and 3.5%, respectively. In vitro antibacterial assays demonstrated that the P. pavonica methanol and ethyl acetate extracts and the P. myrica ethyl acetate extract exhibited inhibitory activity against MDR E. coli, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 2.5 to 10 mg/mL. Overall, the P. myrica extract showed stronger antibacterial activity (MICs, 2.5–5 mg/mL) than the P. pavonica extracts (MICs, 5–10 mg/mL), highlighting their potential as natural antibacterial agents against MDR E. coli. Conclusions: These findings raise important public health concerns, as contaminated food products can act as reservoirs for the dissemination of multidrug-resistant (MDR) E coli, thereby increasing the risk of human infections ranging from mild gastrointestinal illnesses to severe, potentially life-threatening diseases. In addition, the present findings demonstrate the promising antibacterial activity of methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts of P. myrica and P. pavonica against MDR E. coli isolates, supporting their potential as sources of natural antibacterial compounds and warranting further investigation of their efficacy, mechanisms of action, and active constituents.