BACKGROUND: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is considered one of the most common bacterial pathogens causing nosocomial infections in human cases. However, the pathogenesis of this bacterium in companion birds is poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to isolate P. aeruginosa from pet birds with respiratory illness manifestations referred to the clinic of the University of Tehran. Moreover, the antimicrobial susceptibility of the recovered P. aeruginosa isolates carrying MexAB-OprM efflux pump was evaluated. METHODS: Selective media and biochemical tests were used to isolate and identify P. aeruginosa isolates from 126 companion birds. The species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based on the 16S rRNA gene was applied to confirm P. aeruginosa. In addition, the sensitivity of isolates to 20 antimicrobial agents was assessed by an antimicrobial susceptibility test. Multiplex PCR was used to detect genes associated with MexAB-OprM efflux pump by specific primers in recovered P. aeruginosa isolates. RESULTS: All seven isolates identified as P. aeruginosa in culture by biochemical tests were confirmed utilizing species-specific PCR. The results of the antimicrobial susceptibility test demonstrated multidrug resistance (MDR) among the isolates with the highest resistance to neomycin, kanamycin, rifampicin, and vancomycin (100% of iso-lates) followed by colistin (57% of isolates). The mexA and oprM genes were detected in all isolates by multiplex PCR, while the mexB gene was not amplified in any of the seven isolates. CONCLUSIONS: We found P. aeruginosa isolates in sick birds and observed MDR in these isolates. Therefore, companion birds could be considered a potential public health concern, especially for owners and veterinary staff.

BACKGROUND: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is considered one of the most common bacterial pathogens causing nosocomial infections in human cases. However, the pathogenesis of this bacterium in companion birds is poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to isolate P. aeruginosa from pet birds with respiratory illness manifestations referred to the clinic of the University of Tehran. Moreover, the antimicrobial susceptibility of the recovered P. aeruginosa isolates carrying MexAB-OprM efflux pump was evaluated. METHODS: Selective media and biochemical tests were used to isolate and identify P. aeruginosa isolates from 126 companion birds. The species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based on the 16S rRNA gene was applied to confirm P. aeruginosa. In addition, the sensitivity of isolates to 20 antimicrobial agents was assessed by an antimicrobial susceptibility test. Multiplex PCR was used to detect genes associated with MexAB-OprM efflux pump by specific primers in recovered P. aeruginosa isolates. RESULTS: All seven isolates identified as P. aeruginosa in culture by biochemical tests were confirmed utilizing species-specific PCR. The results of the antimicrobial susceptibility test demonstrated multidrug resistance (MDR) among the isolates with the highest resistance to neomycin, kanamycin, rifampicin, and vancomycin (100% of iso-lates) followed by colistin (57% of isolates). The mexA and oprM genes were detected in all isolates by multiplex PCR, while the mexB gene was not amplified in any of the seven isolates. CONCLUSIONS: We found P. aeruginosa isolates in sick birds and observed MDR in these isolates. Therefore, companion birds could be considered a potential public health concern, especially for owners and veterinary staff.

BACKGROUND: The harmful, dangerous essence of the veterinary waste of hospitals, clinics and labora- tories and the consequences of their inconsistent management, such as problems caused by lack of planning in separating, storing, collecting, transporting and disposing of them, causes many environmental and health problems. On the other hand, according to clause 11 and 2 of the Special Waste Management Law of the Environment Protection Organization (E.P.O) and the Ministry of Health of Iran, the waste of veterinary clinics isalso hazardous waste due to the presence of a variety of microorganisms harmful to humans and animals (such as anthrax & brucellosis, etc.). OBJECTIVES: The guidelines and checklist of the Environment & World Health Organization (WHO) were used in order to increase awareness of the management of the waste from veterinary centers. METHODS: The answers to the questions were completed by the direct referral of the researcher to 6 pub- lic and private veterinary centers. Statistical evaluation was analyzed using SPSS Version 22. RESUTLS: The results showed that although veterinary waste management in clinics and government laboratories is relatively more favorable than private veterinary clinics, it is far from world health standards. CONCLUSIONS: Application of rules and guidelines, increasing the level of knowledge and staff training at all levels, and continuous monitoring of the collection, transportation and disposal of veterinary waste are necessary.

BACKGROUND: The harmful, dangerous essence of the veterinary waste of hospitals, clinics and labora- tories and the consequences of their inconsistent management, such as problems caused by lack of planning in separating, storing, collecting, transporting and disposing of them, causes many environmental and health problems. On the other hand, according to clause 11 and 2 of the Special Waste Management Law of the Environment Protection Organization (E.P.O) and the Ministry of Health of Iran, the waste of veterinary clinics isalso hazardous waste due to the presence of a variety of microorganisms harmful to humans and animals (such as anthrax & brucellosis, etc.). OBJECTIVES: The guidelines and checklist of the Environment & World Health Organization (WHO) were used in order to increase awareness of the management of the waste from veterinary centers. METHODS: The answers to the questions were completed by the direct referral of the researcher to 6 pub- lic and private veterinary centers. Statistical evaluation was analyzed using SPSS Version 22. RESUTLS: The results showed that although veterinary waste management in clinics and government laboratories is relatively more favorable than private veterinary clinics, it is far from world health standards. CONCLUSIONS: Application of rules and guidelines, increasing the level of knowledge and staff training at all levels, and continuous monitoring of the collection, transportation and disposal of veterinary waste are necessary.