Use of MALDI-TOF for identification and surveillance of gram-negative bacteria in captive wild psittacines

Abstract Microbiological studies of the sanitary and health status psittacine birds that will be reintroduced is important in evaluating whether these animals act as carriers pathogenic agents to other humans. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) a faster more accurate method identify bacteria than conventional microbiology methods. The aim this study was evaluate psittacines housed captivity, by assessment Gram-negative from fecal microbiota through MALDI- TOF MS identification. results indicate high frequency feces (96.5%), especially Enterobacteriaceae family (88.7%). most prevalent were Escherichia coli (39.0%), Proteus vulgaris (12.2%), Klebsiella spp. (12.1%) Raoultella ornithinolytica (8.7%). hauseri, Citrobacter spp., Morganella morgannii, Providencia rettgeri, Enterobacter hermannii isolated with lower frequency. . All are potentially for parrots can cause systemic infections These findings reinforce proved rapid identification microorganism evaluation psittacines, providing relevant data assist decision-making regarding protocols wildlife centers, possible future reintroduction wild birds.