Fecal Carriage of S. aureus and the mecA Gene in Resident Wild Birds and Its Zoonotic Potential

Resistant Staphylococcus (S.) aureus in general and MRSA, in particular, have received great attention in both veterinary and human health sectors. The importance of fecal carriage of staphylococci is rarely encountered. This study aimed to investigate the role of wild birds in Giza governorate, Egypt in spreading resistant S. aureus from winter 2019 to summer 2021. Cloacal swabs and fecal droppings were collected from different species of wild birds (rock pigeons, laughing doves, cattle egrets, and hooded crows). Isolation and identification of Staphylococcus spp. were performed using Columbia agar base with 5% defibrinated sheep blood and mannitol salt agar. Moreover, molecular detection of the coa, nuc, and mecA genes has been investigated via the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Out of 166 fecal samples examined, staphylococci had been confirmed in 100 samples (60.2%), with S. aureus representing 70% of the obtained staphylococci; however, non-aureus staphylococci represented the remaining 30% of the isolates. The mecA gene carriage was (57.1%) in S. aureus. This study highlighted the zoonotic potential of staphylococci isolated from resident wild birds in Giza, Egypt. Presences of such pathogenic microorganisms with their resistance traits around and in the human habitat add to the microbial community present around human dwellings in the study area. They may play a role in the spreading of various illnesses.