Biofilm production of coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from rescued wild animals in the Republic of Korea.

Biofilm production is a well-known causative factor of catheter- and medical device-related sepsis. Its high prevalence in coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) has recently been reported. Information on biofilm production in CoNS isolated from wild animals is lacking. Herein, we studied the biofilm formation capabilities of CoNS isolated from rescued wild animals in the Republic of Korea. Swab samples were collected from the conjunctiva, nasal cavity, perianal area, and rectum for mammals while the sampling was done from the conjunctiva, oral mucosa, pericloacal area, and cloaca for birds. Isolation of CoNS was based on morphological and biochemical analyses along with molecular typing. Biofilm production was analyzed using 96-well plate based quantitative adherence assays. The studies demonstrated that CoNS of mammalian origin have higher biofilm-producing ability (70.4%) than the isolates from birds (62.5%). In particular, all methicillin-resistant (MR) CoNS isolated from mammals were capable of biofilm formation while only 63.3% of MR CoNS isolated from birds could produce biofilms. The MR CoNS isolated from mammals also had a significantly higher ability to form biofilms (100%) than methicillin susceptible CoNS (60.0%) than those isolates from birds. The findings show that wild animals may act as reservoirs as well as possible transmitters of biofilm-mediated antibiotic resistant genes.

PREVALENCE AND PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF AVIAN HAEMOSPORIDIA IN WILD BIRDS IN THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA.

Avian blood parasites, including Plasmodium spp. and Haemoproteus spp., are found worldwide but only limited information of their occurrence is available in the Republic of Korea (ROK). We determined the prevalence of Plasmodium and Haemoproteus and their phylogenetic characteristics in wild birds in ROK. Blood samples were collected from 118 wild birds of 27 species in the Chonbuk Province, ROK. While 43 (36%) were positive for avian haemosporidia on microscopic examination of blood smears, 53 (45%) were positive by PCR targeting the cytochrome b gene. By direct sequencing of PCR amplicons, 47 (89%) were identified as Haemoproteus spp. and 6 (11%) as Plasmodium spp. Phylogenetic analysis using the cytochrome b gene revealed that resident and migrant birds have very similar genetic lineages of both parasites in ROK, suggesting the possibility that migrant birds may act as a mediator for the parasite among Asian countries.