Abstract
BackgroundClostridium difficile is an important bacterial pathogen of humans and a variety of animal species. Birds, especially migratory passerine species, can play a role in the spread of many pathogens, including Clostridium difficile. Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) nest in close proximity to human habitats and their biology is closely associated with cattle farming. Therefore, we hypothesized that Barn Swallows can be the reservoir of Clostridium difficile.ResultsBarn Swallows (n = 175) were captured on their autumn migration across Europe to sub-Saharan Africa. Droppings were collected from juvenile (n = 152) and adult birds (n = 23). Overall prevalence of Clostridium difficile was 4% (7/175); 4.6% (7/152) in juvenile birds and 0/23 in adults. Clostridium difficile ribotypes 078, 002 and 014 were identified, which are commonly found in farm animals and humans. Three new Clostridium difficile ribotypes were also identified: SB3, SB159 and SB166, one of which was toxigenic, harbouring genes for toxins A and B.ConclusionsResults of this study indicate that Barn Swallows might play a role in national and international dissemination of Clostridium difficile and could serve as a source for human and animal infection. Clostridium difficile ribotype 078 was identified, which has been reported as an emerging cause of community-associated Clostridium difficile infection in humans. Based on this and other studies, however, it is more likely that Barn Swallows have a more indicative than perpetuating role in Clostridium difficile epidemiology.
Highlights
Clostridium difficile is an important bacterial pathogen of humans and a variety of animal species
Clostridium difficile culture Entire samples were inoculated into 9 mL of CD moxalactam norfloxacin (CDMN) enrichment broth (Oxoid Ltd; Nepean, ON Canada) containing 0.1% sodium taurocholate
It is more likely that Barn Swallows have a more indicative than perpetuating role in CD epidemiology
Summary
Clostridium difficile is an important bacterial pathogen of humans and a variety of animal species. Clostridium difficile (CD) is present in almost all human environments and is a potential zoonotic pathogen that can be isolated from a variety of animal species [1,2,3,4,5]. It is the most commonly diagnosed cause of antimicrobialand hospital-associated diarrhoea [6] and is an emerging cause of community-associated disease [7,8]. Migratory birds travel between continents twice each year and are responsible for the transmission of several pathogens [13] and/or disease vectors [14]. The world’s largest bird migration system is the Palaearctic–African flyway, which involves an estimated 2 billion passerines and nearpasserines migrating between the European continent and sub-Saharan Africa [15]
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