Bacteria of the genus Enterococcus are opportunistic pathogens, part of the normal intestinal microflora of animals, able to acquire and transfer antimicrobial resistance genes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible role of wild avifauna as a source of antimicrobial-resistant enterococci. To assess this purpose, 103 Enterococcus spp. strains were isolated from the feces of wild birds of different species; they were tested for antimicrobial resistance against 21 molecules, vancomycin resistance, and high-level aminoglycosides resistance (HLAR). Furthermore, genes responsible for vancomycin, tetracycline, and HLAR were searched. E. faecium was the most frequently detected species (60.20% of isolates), followed by E. faecalis (34.95% of isolates). Overall, 99.02% of the isolated enterococci were classified as multidrug-resistant, with 19.41% extensively drug-resistant, and 2.91% possible pan drug-resistant strains. Most of the isolates were susceptible to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (77.67%) and ampicillin (75.73%), with only 5.83% of isolates showing an ampicillin MIC ≥ 64 mg/L. HLAR was detected in 35.92% of isolates, mainly associated with the genes ant(6)-Ia and aac(6′)-Ie-aph(2″)-Ia. Few strains (4.85%) were resistant to vancomycin, and the genes vanA and vanB were not detected. A percentage of 54.37% of isolates showed resistance to tetracycline; tet(M) was the most frequently detected gene in these strains. Wild birds may contribute to the spreading of antimicrobial-resistant enterococci, which can affect other animals and humans. Constant monitoring is essential to face up to the evolving antimicrobial resistance issue, and monitoring programs should include wild avifauna, too.

The house fly (Musca domestica) is a very common insect, abundantly present in farm settings. These insects are attracted by organic substrates and can easily be contaminated by several pathogenic and nonpathogenic bacteria. The aim of this survey was to evaluate the presence of Salmonella spp. and other Enterobacteriaceae in house flies captured in small-medium size farms, located in Northwest Tuscany, Central Italy, and to evaluate their antimicrobial resistance; furthermore, isolates were tested for extended spectrum β-lactamase and carbapenems resistance, considering the importance these antimicrobials have in human therapy. A total of 35 traps were placed in seven poultry and 15 swine farms; three different kinds of samples were analyzed from each trap, representing attractant substrate, insect body surface, and insect whole bodies. Enterobacteriaceae were isolated from 86.36% of farms, 82.87% of traps, and 60.95% of samples; high levels of resistance were detected for ampicillin (61.25% of resistant isolates) and tetracycline (42.5% of resistant isolates). One extended spectrum β-lactamase producer strain was isolated, carrying the bla_TEM-1 gene. Salmonella spp. was detected in 36.36% of farms, 25.71% of traps, and 15.24% of samples. Five different serovars were identified: Kentucky, Kisarawe, London, Napoli, and Rubislaw; some isolates were in R phase. Resistance was detected mainly for ampicillin (31.21%) and tetracycline (31.21%). House flies could represent a serious hazard for biosecurity plans at the farm level, carrying and sharing relevant pathogenic and antimicrobial resistant bacteria.

Most surveys of pathogens in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) have focused on particular agents. The aim of this study was to verify, with bacteriological and molecular analyses, the occurrence of the main bacterial and protozoan pathogens that are able to infect canids, in red foxes regularly hunted in Central Italy. Spleen, brain, kidney and fecal samples from red foxes were submitted to bacteriological and/or molecular analyses to detect Salmonella spp., Yersinia spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Brucella spp., Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Coxiella burnetii, Leptospira spp., Neospora caninum, Hepatozoon canis, Babesia spp. and microsporidia. Two (9.1%) strains of Yersinia enterocolitica biotype 1 and 2 (9.1%) of Yersinia frederiksenii were isolated from 22 fecal samples. Among the 22 spleen samples, seven (31.8%) were PCR-positive for H. canis and 3 (13.6%) for Babesia vulpes. Kidneys from two (2.9%) foxes, among 71 tested, were PCR-positive for L. interrogans. Even though the analyses were carried out on a small number of animals, the results suggested that red foxes from the selected geographic area may act as reservoirs of some investigated pathogens.

Bacterial and protozoan agents can determine abortion and other reproductive disorders in domestic ruminants, but data regarding their occurrence in wild ruminants are scanty worldwide, including in Italy. The aim of this retrospective study was to verify the occurrence of the main bacterial and protozoan abortive agents in 72 spleen samples previously collected from roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) living in mountain areas of Central Italy. All samples were collected and submitted to DNA extraction for other investigations. Molecular analyses were carried out on the DNA samples to detect Brucella spp., Chlamydia abortus, Coxiella burnetii, Salmonella enterica, Listeria monocytogenes, Neospora caninum, and Toxoplasma gondii. Three (4.16%) roe deer resulted PCR positive for C. burnetii and one (1.38%) for T. gondii. These findings suggest that roe deer living in the investigated areas do not act as important reservoirs of the searched agents. However, the tested animals lived in a closed area without contact with domestic animals that are usually involved in the epidemiology of the investigated pathogens. Monitoring of wild ruminants is pivotal to verify changes in the epidemiological scenario from a One Health perspective, too.

Otitis externa is a frequent inflammation among dogs, mainly caused by bacteria and yeasts that are often resistant to conventional drugs. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities of commercial essential oils (EOs) from Origanum vulgare, Satureja montana, and Thymus vulgaris, as well as a mixture of these three components, against 47 clinical bacterial strains (Staphylococcus sp., Streptococcus sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia marcescens) and 5 Malassezia pachydermatis strains, previously cultured from the ears of dogs affected by otitis externa. The tested Gram-positive bacteria were sensible to the analysed EOs with MICs ranging from 1.25% (v/v) to 10% (v/v) to 0.039% (v/v). M. pachydermatis isolates were sensitive to all EOs with MICs from 4.25% (v/v) to 2% (v/v). However, the mixture was active against all bacterial (except one P. aeruginosa strain) and fungal tested isolates. The three EOs and their mixture seem to be an interesting alternative for treating canine otitis externa when conventional antimicrobials are not active.