Abstract:
This study was undertaken to isolate, identify and antibiotic profiling of zoonotic bacteria
harbors in pigeon, which are raised in farms and household in Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural
University, Dhaka and National Institute of Biotechnology, Savar. Total bacterial load and
total coliform load was determined from oral swab (n = 20) and cloacal swabs (n = 20) of
pigeons. Samples were collected aseptically and inoculated onto various culture media for
isolation of zoonotic bacteria. Identification of bacteria from positive samples were
performed by cultural characterist ics, Gram’s staining, biochemical tests and molecular
identification to some extent. Hundred percent prevalence with microorganism was found
from all the samples. The prevalence of E.coli and Salmonella spp. in oral swab samples
was (50%) and (30%) and in cloacal swab samples it was (55%) and (25%) respectively.
The overall prevalence of E.coli and Salmonella spp. in pigeons was (52.50%) and
(27.5%). Antibiotic sensitivity profiling of the isolated E.coli & Salmonella spp. was
performed by the disc diffusion method against 9 randomly used antibiotics. The highest
rate of sensitivity against E.coli was found with levofloxacin (67%) followed by
azithromycin (63%), ciprofloxacin (62%) and gentamicin (48%). The highest rate of
resistance was recorded to ampicillin (71%) followed by amoxicillin (62%), erythromycin
(62%), tetracycline (52%). The highest rate of antibiotic sensitivity against Salmonella spp.
was found with ciprofloxacin (82%) and levofloxacin, gentamicin and ampicillin showed
the same result (55%). The highest rate of resistance was recorded to tetracycline (100%)
followed by nalidixic acid (82%) and erythromycin (46%), amoxicillin (36%). Data from
this study suggest that pigeons carry multi-drug resistant E.coli and Salmonella spp. which
can be transferred to humans through direct contact or the food chain and can cause a
potential public health hazard.
