First Characterization of Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from Wildlife Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) in the Southeast of Spain

The aim of the present study was to characterize a collection of Escherichia coli strains isolated from asymptomatic griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) during a reintroduction program in the southeast of Spain, in order to establish if griffon vulture could play a role in the spread of resistant or potentially pathogenic E. coli strains. For this purpose, 14 E. coli strains obtained from 10 griffon vulture were studied to establish their serotypes, phylogroups, virulence-gene profiles and antimicrobial resistances. High heterogeneity was observed within the 14 strains isolated which belonged to three phylogroups (A, B1 and D), 8 serogroups (O2, O21, O29, O60, 073, O78, O103 and O141) and 13 different serotypes. Out of 34 genes screened, we have detected eight virulence genes that are typical of extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) (fimH, fimAvMT78, iroN, iucD, cvaC, iss, traT and tsh); however, none of the studied strains showed the ExPEC status. The 14 strains were also analyzed for the production of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) and for antimicrobial resistances. None of the 14 strains were ESBL-producing E. coli, but high resistanceprevalences to ampicillin and cotrimoxazole were detected. To our knowledge, this is the first characterization of E. coli strains isolated from griffon vulture and although they did not show high virulence-gene scores, they showed cotrimoxazole resistance.