Antibiotic Resistance in Scavenger Birds: a One Health Problem

Vultures play a key role in the ecosystem. They help to remove the decaying organic material from the environment and therefore help to reduce the spread of pathogenic microorganisms in the ecosystem. Vultures can be contaminated by different bacteria, viruses and fungi (some zoonotic) when they feed, which can in turn contaminate other animal species and even humans. Vultures can be actively exposed to multidrug-resistant bacteria when they consume contaminated carcasses. A total of 20 works between the years 2011 to 2021 were analysed. The studies were performed on Cathartes aura (n=1), Gyps bengalensis (n=1), Neophron percnopterus majorensis (n=3), Neophron percnopterus percnopterus (n=3), Gyps fulvus (n=5), and Aegypius monachus (n=4). Most studies were performed on faecal samples, and the isolated bacteria were mostly faecal flora microbiota, with Escherichia coli as one of the most studied microorganisms (n=12). From a One Health perspective, it helps to understand how these animals can be excellent environment sentinels and a tool for measuring the health of ecosystems health and humans with whom they share their habitat.