Microbiological Analysis of Gut Flora and Determination of AntibioticResistance from White Storks (Ciconia Ciconia) Resting Area during Migration in Türkiye

Aim: As reservoir hosts, migratory birds can spread viral, bacterial, and parasitic diseases between continents. White storks' (Ciconia Ciconia) flora bacteria are expected to be sensitive to antibiotics. This study aimed to determine which pathogens were found in the fecal samples of storks, characterize the bacteria that are dominant in the gut flora, and determine antibiotic resistance during migration. Materials and Methods: Stork’s feces (n=101) were collected in March 2022, Konya, Turkiye (37°52′22″N 32°29′32″E) which is on the migration route. Samples were cultured bacteriologically for the identify mesophilic bacteria Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Enterobacter spp. and Campylobacter spp.). Classical microbiological methods, Gram staining, and biochemical tests were performed. Isolates were confirmed by VITEK 2 and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: : Escherichia coli (n=101), Enterobacter cloacae (n=10), Hafnia alvei (n=3), Campylobacter jejuni (n=1) and Salmonella Virginia (n=1) were identified. Some E. coli isolates 32 (31.68%) were multidrug-resistant (MDR) and 2 (1.98%) isolates were extensively drug-resistant (XDR), and 33 (32.67%) isolates were determined to be phenotypically Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase (ESBL) positive also some E. coli strains 5 (4.95%) were identified as avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC). S. Virginia isolate was found to be resistant only to ampicillin and amoxicillin/clavulanate. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, antibiotic resistance in gut flora of white storks is a severe condition. These birds shed pathogens in their feces that can contaminate poultry and dairy farms in the migration route. This situation indicates the pollution caused by people's unconscious drug use effect on wild animals.