Agricultural Research Management Information System

Home
Research Summary
Search
About Us
- ARMIS
- Brochure
Contact Us
Report
User Request
Data Input
Help
- Operation Manual
  - PDF
  - Video
- Program Area & Commodity
We have reached 37600 number of research entries at this moment.

- Logout

Research Detail

Home
Research
Detail

Isolation and Identification of Microflora from Apparently Healthy Caged Parrots of Dhaka Zoo of Bangladesh

J. Akhter
Department of Microbiology and Hygiene,Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

M. T. Hossain
Department of Microbiology and Hygiene1, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

M. T. Islam
Department of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

M. P. Siddique
Department of Microbiology and Hygiene1,Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

M. A. Islam
Department of Microbiology and Hygiene1,Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The research work was conducted to isolate and identify the microflora from apparently healthy caged parrots. A total of 45 samples (oral swabs, cloacal swabs and feces) were collected from five types of caged parrots (Gray cockatiels, Rose ringed parakeet, Alexandriane parakeet, Red breast parakeet and Blossom headed parakeet) of Dhaka Zoo during the period from April to August 2009. The samples were cultured on different bacteriological media and the bacteria were identified by their cultural and biochemical properties. All the isolates were allowed for antibiogram study. The bacteria isolated in this study from different types of caged parrots were E. coli (64.44%), Salmonella spp. (46.67%), Staphylococcus spp. (46.67%), Pasteurella spp. (33.33%), Proteus spp. (6.67%) and some unidentified Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Of these isolates, E. coli was the most frequent isolate. The frequency of Gram-negative bacteria was higher in this study. The percentage of bacterial isolates recovered from each type of parrots was almost similar. Irrespective of types of parrots, the higher percentage of different bacteria was isolated from cloacal swab (77.78%) followed by feces (75.56%). The 68.89% isolates were recovered from oral swab. All the suspected isolates of Salmonella spp. were confirmed by slide agglutination test using Salmonella polyvalent ‘O’ antiserum. Among the 21 Salmonella spp. isolated in this study, 4 (19.05%) isolates were identified as S. Pullorum when tested with specific antisera against S. Pullorum. The results of antibiotic sensitivity tests revealed that ampicillin and amoxicillin were completely resistant to E. coli and Pasteurella spp.; ampicillin to Proteus spp.; and furazolidone to Salmonella spp. and Pasteurella spp. However, the antibiotics of fluoroquinolone group such as ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin and enrofloxacin showed moderate to high sensitivity against almost all the bacterial isolates. Of these, ciprofloxacin was found to be consistently highly sensitive to all the bacterial isolates.

Keywords: Parrots, Microflora and Zoo

Location: Dhaka

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity:

Objectives:

To isolate and identify important species of bacteria from apparently healthy caged parrots, and to determine antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the isolated bacteria.

Methodology:

A total of 45 cloacal swab, feces and oral swab samples, 15 of each, were carefully collected from five types (Gray cockatiel, Rose ringed parakeet, Alexandriane parakeet, Red breast parakeet and Blossom headed parakeet) of apparently healthy caged parrots of Dhaka Zoo, Mirpur, Dhaka. Immediately after collection, each sample was inoculated into sterile nutrient both (NB) and kept in ice box and transported to the Bacteriology Laboratory of the Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. The inoculated nutrient broths were incubated at 37°C for 24 hrs and then streaked onto different bacteriological media such as NA, EMB, MC, SS, BGA, BA, TSI (Himedia, India) to obtain pure culture of the bacteria. Gram’s staining was performed to study the morphology of bacterial isolates (Merchant and Packer, 1967) and motility test was performed to differentiate motile bacteria from non-motile one (Cowan, 1985). Leishmann’s staining was performed to identify bipolar organisms such as Pasteurella multocida according to the procedures described by Buxton and Fraser (1977). Isolated bacteria from each sample was biochemically identified by sugar fermentation test, indole test, MR-VP test, catalase and coagulase tests as per methods described by Cheesbrough (1984). Besides, triple sugar iron agar (TSI agar) slant was used to identify the lactose, saccharose and dextrose fermenters. The medium also helped to determine the ability of the organisms to produce hydrogen sulphide. The test organisms were heavily seeded with a platinum loop over the surface of the slants and stabbed into the butt of the TSI agar (Himedia, India). After incubation at 37°C for 24 hours, the tubes were examined for any change in the slant or butt (Cheesbrough, 1984).

Source of Information: Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2010). 8(1): 5 – 10

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The sensitivity patterns of different bacteria to various antibiotics were so variable that it was difficult to interpret. Ampicillin and amoxicillin were found to be completely resistant to E. coli and Pasteurella spp.; and furazolidone to Salmonella spp. and Pasteurella spp. On the other hand, the antibiotics of fluoroquinolone group such as ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin and enrofloxacin showed moderate to high sensitivity against almost all the bacterial isolates. Of these, ciprofloxacin was found to be consistently highly sensitive to all the bacterial isolates. Although, primary bacterial infections are not only a common cause of disease in parrots; a better understanding of normal microbial flora may help in interpreting the significance of bacterial isolates in sick birds. A knowledge of normal bacterial flora is also important for identifying potential pathogens that can cause disease during times of stress or immune suppression. Pasteurella multocida can cause septicemia and cutaneous lesions in parrots and their relatives. Thus, the results of this study may help pet clinicians to interpret microbiological culture and sensitivity results in parrots and other psittacine birds as well.

Knowledge Management: Journal