Molecular Epidemiology of Trypanosomatids and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trypanosoma cruzi</Emphasis> in Primates from Peru

We determined the prevalence rate and risk of infection of Trypanosoma cruzi and other trypanosomatids in Peruvian non-human primates (NHPs) in the wild (n = 126) and in different captive conditions (n = 183). Blood samples were collected on filter paper, FTA cards, or EDTA tubes and tested using a nested PCR protocol targeting the 24Sα rRNA gene. Main risk factors associated with trypanosomatid and T. cruzi infection were genus and the human–animal context (wild vs captive animals). Wild NHPs had higher prevalence of both trypanosomatids (64.3 vs 27.9%, P < 0.001) and T. cruzi (8.7 vs 3.3%, P = 0.057), compared to captive NHPs, suggesting that parasite transmission in NHPs occurs more actively in the sylvatic cycle. In terms of primate family, Pitheciidae had the highest trypanosomatid prevalence (20/22, 90.9%) and Cebidae had the highest T. cruzi prevalence (15/117, 12.8%). T. cruzi and trypanosomatids are common in Peruvian NHPs and could pose a health risk to human and animals that has not been properly studied.     

Synthetic Peptides are Better Than Native Antigens for Development of ELISA Assay for Diagnosis of Tuberculosis

Immunodiagnosis of both pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and extrapulmonary tuberculosis has remained challenging. In the present work, in-house developed synthetic peptide based antibody detection assay was assessed and validated with antigen based assay for effective diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB). The study population included both tuberculous meningitis (TBM) (n = 60) admitted to Neurology IPD wards of our Institute hospital and PTB cases (n = 57) recruited from high TB endemic zones. Peptides of five highly immunogenic Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) proteins (Ag85B, 45 kDa, HSP-16, CFP-10 and ESAT-6) were designed and synthesized. The designed peptides were evaluated in samples of both TBM and PTB cases, respectively, using in-house developed antibody detection method. The developed tests were further compared and validated with MTB native proteins based antibody detection ELISA. Sensitivity and specificity of peptide assay were significantly higher or almost similar (p < 0.05) in TBM and PTB as compared to native proteins based ELISA. Among all peptides, diagnostic reliability of Ag 85B peptide A1 was higher for both forms of TB. Peptide-based antibody assay is cost effective, simple and may be interchangeable with conventional Antigen based ELISA assays for effective diagnosis of TB in the developing world.     

Effects of natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 and toll-like receptor 2 gene polymorphisms on post-weaning piglet survivability

Predicting resistance or susceptibility to infectious diseases on the basis of the genotypes of animals regarding disease or immune related genes could be important in animal production. We evaluated the potential influence of the genetic polymorphisms of four immune related genes, porcine beta defensin 4, interferon-induced GTP-binding protein Mx1, natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 (Nramp1), and Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) on post-weaning piglet survivability in farms. We selected a single SNP that satisfied the criteria of non-synonymous substitutions and the minor allele frequency >0.1 from each gene, and performed PCR–RFLP. Distributions of allele and genotype frequencies of the SNPs were, in general, significantly different among the five breeds (Berkshire, Yorkshire, Duroc, Landrace, and Korean native pigs. Initially, 371 randomly collected Yorkshire × Landrace F1 piglets consisting of post-weaning survival (n = 185) and non-survival groups (n = 186) were genotyped for the selected SNPs. For the Nramp1 and TLR2 SNPs, genotype frequencies were significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.05). To confirm the results, additional animals that were collected in a different time-period were genotyped for the Nramp1 (n = 390) and TLR2 (n = 240) SNPs. The results using the combined samples (n = 761) were consistent with the initial analysis (P < 0.01), suggesting that the genetic polymorphisms of Nramp1 and TLR2 affect post-weaning piglet survivability. The relative risks, i.e. odds ratios, between the beneficial and non-beneficial genotypes to piglet survivability were 4.88 and 29.65 for the Nramp1 and TLR2 SNPs, respectively.     

Molecular and cytogenetic analyses provide evidence of the introgression of chromosomal segments from the wild <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cucumis hystrix</Emphasis> into the cultivated cucumber through the bridge of a synthetic allotetraploid

Cucumis × hytivus (2n = 4× = 38) is a synthetic allotetraploid obtained from interspecific hybridization between the cucumber (2n = 2× = 14) and its wild relative C. hystrix (2n = 2× = 24). The synthesis of this species built a bridge for cucumber improvement through gene introgression. Allotriploid and introgression lines (ILs) have previously been produced and characterized with respect to morphology, cytology, and molecular markers. However, no clear evidence of how the chromosomal segments of C. hystrix were introgressed and inherited was found owing to the small size of chromosomes. In the present study, cucumber-C. hystrix introgression lines were developed by backcrossing the allotriploid to North China cucumber breeding line “P01” followed by self-pollination. The introgressed segments of C. hystrix in the ILs were revealed by meiotic pachytene chromosome analysis. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed on pachytene chromosomes using fosmid clones from cucumber, which confirmed that introgression occurred in the long arm of chromosome 7. Molecular analysis using a set of 53 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) indicated that the chromosomal segments of C. hystrix were introduced into 4 cucumber chromosomes, the short arms of chromosomes 2 and 6, and long arms of chromosomes 3 and 7. The inheritance of alien sequences in the long arm of chromosome 7 was investigated with 21 SSRs in self-pollinated progenies. C. hystrix-specific bands of several SSRs were still present in some individuals, indicating that the introgressed segment was partially preserved. The first unambiguous identification of alien chromosome segments in cucumber ILs using combined molecular cytogenetics could facilitate the determination of effects of wild alleles and promote cucumber improvement.     

Estuarine fish behavior around slotted water control structures in a managed salt marsh

Estuaries are composed of multiple interconnected habitat types used by transient fish species during their period of estuarine residency. Structural marsh management restricts habitat connectivity and impedes the movement of fishes among these habitat types by limiting access via water control structures (WCSs) between the managed area and the rest of the estuary. While some general information on fish passage rates is available, species-specific information on passage through WCSs is lacking for salt marsh fishes. We monitored tagged fishes from March 2012 through November 2013 using passive integrated transponder antenna arrays at two identical WCSs in the Calcasieu Lake estuary, Louisiana, USA, to assess the effect of slotted WCSs on fish behavior. A total of 420 individuals of 15 species was tagged and released at the WCSs; of these, 145 individuals representing 11 species were later detected at the WCSs. Five species comprised most (93%) of the detected individuals: Elops saurus (n = 60), Mugil cephalus (n = 43), Sciaenops ocellatus (n = 20), Pogonias cromis (n = 7), and Ariopsis felis (n = 5). Passage rates were low, with most of the observed fishes (n = 80) passing only once through the structures. Other than E. saurus, which was only observed migrating out of the managed marsh, no clear pattern in swimming direction was observed for the other species. Detected species were all present primarily during the summer and fall, however, diel activity at the structures varied by species. The WCSs in our study area appeared to attract and congregate fishes, functioning more like ecological hotspots, rather than simply facilitating fish passage.     

What Explains Wildlife Value Orientations? A Study among Central African Forest Dwellers

This study of values placed on wildlife by Bantu and Yaka Pygmy forest dwellers (n = 200) in Northern Congo identified and analyzed two wildlife value orientations - “anthropocentric” and “biocentric.” The former, strongly displayed across all segments of both societies, was likely motivated by heavy reliance on bushmeat and human–wildlife conflicts, and was linked to attitudes approving the killing of animals for human benefit. The “biocentric” orientation was more common among formally educated male respondents who do not hunt and positively linked to attitudes favoring conservation. Wildlife management strategies should consider including 1) sustainable local wildlife exploitation, 2) livelihood projects that provide a real alternative to hunting, and 3) human–wildlife conflict mitigation.     

Trends in paediatric and adult bloodstream infections at a Ghanaian referral hospital: a retrospective study

Background

Bloodstream infections (BSI) are life-threatening emergencies. Identification of the common pathogens and their susceptibility patterns is necessary for timely empirical intervention.

Methods

We conducted a 4-year retrospective analysis of blood cultures from all patients excluding neonates at the Korle-Bu Teaching hospital, Ghana, from January 2010 through December 2013. Laboratory report data were used to determine BSI, blood culture contamination, pathogen profile, and antimicrobial resistance patterns.

Results

Overall, 3633 (23.16 %) out of 15,683 blood cultures were positive for various organisms. Pathogen-positive cultures accounted for 1451 (9.3 %, 95 % CI 8.5–9.8 %). Infants recorded the highest true blood culture positivity (20.9 %, n = 226/1083), followed by the elderly (13.3 %, n = 80/601), children (8.9 %, n = 708/8000) and adults (7.2 %, n = 437/6000) (p = 0.001 for Marascuilo’s post hoc). Overall occurrence of BSI declined with increasing age-group (p = 0.001) but the type of isolates did not vary with age except for Citrobacter, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Salmonella, and Enterococcus species. Gram negative bacteria predominated in our study (59.8 %, n = 867/1451), but the commonest bacterial isolate was Staphylococcus aureus (21.9 %, n = 318/1451)—and this trend run through the various age-groups. From 2010 to 2013, we observed a significant trend of yearly increase in the frequency of BSI caused by cephalosporin-resistant enterobacteria (Chi square for trend, p = 0.001). Meropenem maintained high susceptibility among all Gram-negative organisms ranging from 96 to 100 %. Among Staphylococcus aureus, susceptibility to cloxacillin was 76.6 %.

Conclusion

Our study shows a significantly high blood culture positivity in infants as compared to children, adults and the elderly. There was a preponderance of S. aureus and Gram-negative bacteria across all age-groups. Meropenem was the most active antibiotic for Gram-negative bacteria. Cloxacillin remains a very useful anti-staphylococcal agent.

     

Invasion ecology of wild pigs (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sus scrofa</Emphasis>) in Florida,USA: the role of humans in the expansion and colonization of an invasive wild ungulate

Wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are the most widely distributed invasive wild ungulate in the United States, yet the factors that influence wild pig dispersal and colonization at the regional level are poorly understood. Our objective was to use a population genetic approach to describe patterns of dispersal and colonization among populations to gain a greater understanding of the invasion process contributing to the expansion of this species. We used 52 microsatellite loci to produce individual genotypes for 482 swine sampled at 39 locations between 2014 and 2016. Our data revealed the existence of genetically distinct subpopulations (F _ST  = 0.1170, p < 0.05). We found evidence of both fine-scale subdivision among the sampling locations, as well as evidence of long term genetic isolation. Several locations exhibited significant admixture (interbreeding) suggesting frequent mixing of individuals among locations; up to 14% of animals were immigrants from other populations. This pattern of admixture suggested successive rounds of human-assisted translocation and subsequent expansion across Florida. We also found evidence of genetically distinct populations that were isolated from nearby populations, suggesting recent introduction by humans. In addition, proximity to wild pig holding facilities was associated with higher migration rates and admixture, likely due to the escape or release of animals. Taken together, these results suggest that human-assisted movement plays a major role in the ecology and rapid population growth of wild pigs in Florida.     

Cytogenetic characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Amaranthus caudatus</Emphasis> L. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Amaranthus hybridus</Emphasis> subsp<Emphasis Type="Italic">. cruentus</Emphasis> (L.) Thell.

The present study is aimed to identify genetic variability between two species of Amaranthus viz., A. caudatus and A. hybridus subsp. cruentus, two economically important species, cultivated mainly for grain production. Karyomorphological studies in Amaranthus are scarce, probably due to higher number of small sized chromosomes. Karyomorphological studies were conducted using mitotic squash preparation of young healthy root tips. Karyological parameters and karyotypic formula were established using various software programs and tabulated the karyomorphometric and asymmetry indices viz., Disparity index, Variation coefficient, Total forma percentage, Karyotype asymmetry index, Syi index, Rec index, Interchromosomal and Intrachromosomal asymmetry index and Degree of asymmetry of karyotypes. The mitotic chromosome number observed for A. caudatus was 2n = 32 with a gametic number n = 16 and A. hybridus subsp. cruentus was 2n = 34 with a gametic number n = 17. In A. caudatus the chromosome length during somatic metaphase ranged from 0.8698 to 1.7722 μm with a total length of 39.1412 μm. In A. hybridus subsp. cruentus the length of chromosome ranged from 0.7756 to 1.9421 μm with a total length of 44.9922 μm. Various karyomorphometry and asymmetry indices analyzed revealed the extend of interspecific variation and their evolutionary status.     

Persistence,dispersal and genetic evolution of recently formed <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spartina</Emphasis> homoploid hybrids and allopolyploids in Southern England

In Southampton Water, UK, the recent (c. 150 years ago) interspecific hybridisation between Spartina alterniflora (2n = 6x = 62; A-genome) and S. maritima (2n = 6x = 60; M-genome) gave rise to the homoploid hybrid (S. × townsendii, 2n = 6x = 62), and subsequently to the invasive allododecaploid species S. anglica (2n = 12x = 120–124) that has since spread worldwide. To address the question of dynamics of mixed ploidy populations involving these plants, we analysed several Spartina populations (fifty one individuals) in Southern England, UK, one of which was the presumed place of origin of the homoploid hybrid (Hythe). Using a combination of flow cytometry and ribosomal DNA (rDNA) genotyping we were able to identify the genomic composition and ploidy level of each individual analysed. The data show that the homoploid hybrid still dominates the population at Hythe (82 % of individuals collected in that locality) since its origin in the nineteenth century. We also identified S. × townsendii for the first time on Hayling Island (66 % individuals), indicating dispersal beyond its likely origin. The fertile allododecaploid S. anglica was mainly found in populations outside the initial hybridisation site, on Hayling Island and at Eling Marchwood. Quantification of the rDNA contributions from each parental genome showed that the ratios were mostly balanced in S. × townsendii. However, two (3 %) S. anglica individuals analysed have lost nearly all M-genome homeologs, indicating extensive repeat loss. Such variation indicates that despite the presumed single allopolyploid origin of S. anglica and genetic uniformity at other loci, it has undergone substantial changes at the rDNA loci following genome duplication.     

Diet Composition of Indian Burrowing Frog <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sphaerotheca breviceps</Emphasis> (Anura: Dicroglossidae) in Uttarakhand Region of Western Himalaya

A study encompassing the food and feeding habits of Indian burrowing frog Sphaerotheca breviceps was carried out in Srinagar Garhwal (n = 27) and Joshimath region (n = 21) of Uttarakhand, Western Himalaya, India to establish their feeding nature and diet composition. Gut content analysis of S. breviceps revealed acceptance of a wide range of insects and other invertebrates as their food. They feed extensively on the ground and litter-dwelling prey animals. There exists a slight deviation in the diets of S. breviceps in respect to localities perhaps due to variation in prey faunal species. Analysis of the food items ingested revealed that the size of the prey animals was ranged from 3 to 56 mm. The diet composition and index of relative importance confirm its insectivorous type of feeding habit. The study indicates that these anurans are primarily predators of nocturnal terrestrial arthropods and act as an important biological agent for controlling the harmful pests and thus help in ecosystem management.     

Meiotic chromosome configurations in oocytes of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cobitis taenia</Emphasis> and its polyploid hybrids

Diploid and triploid hybrid females of Cobitis as a rule produce unreduced eggs which mainly develop gynogenetically, but some of the eggs incorporate sperm genome and develop into triploids and tetraploids, respectively. Here, we observed for the first time the meiotic chromosomes in the germinal vesicles (GVs) of mature oocytes of three diploid C. taenia (2n = 48) and 20 allopolyploid females of Cobitis (18 triploid 3n = 74 and 2 tetraploid 4n = 99). The majority of GVs in diploid, triploid and tetraploid females contained 24, 74 and 96 or 99 bivalents, respectively. These results directly indicated premeiotic endomitosis as a mechanism underlying the formation of unreduced eggs in allopolyploid females of Cobitis.     

The role of nonautologous and autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell in acute pyelonephritis

We compared the therapeutic effects of autologous and nonautologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell (ADMSC), in ameliorating the renal function in a rabbit model of acute pyelonephritis. The difference of perirenal and neck subcutaneous ADMSCs were also evaluated. Twenty female rabbits were apportioned to 5 groups. In group I (n = 4), the rabbits were injected direct inoculation of Escherichia coli (E. coli) into the right kidney. In group II (n = 4), autologous ADMSCs obtained from nape adipose tissue were injected into the subcapsular space 1 week after E. coli injection, while nonautologous ADMSCs of the same origin (from male rabbits) were applied in group III (n = 4). In group IV (n = 4), autologous perirenal ADMSCs were applied with the same method, while perirenal nonautologous ADMSCs from male rabbits were used in group V (n = 4). Technetium-99m-DMSA renal scan was performed 1, 2 and 4 months post-injection in all groups. Kidneys were excised for the evaluation of histopathological changes in the same time points. PCR examination for detection of Y-chromosome (in group III and V) and fluorescent evaluation (in group II and IV) were also performed to determine the fate of injected cells. Injection of autologous ADMSCs resulted in more satisfactory outcomes in reduction of interstitial fibrosis, tubular, and glomerular atrophy as compared to nonautologous groups. However, histopathological ameliorations were significantly better in group IV in which autologous perirenal ADMSC was applied. Remarkably, two months after the injection, Technetium-99m-DMSA renal scan showed that right kidney reached to near normal cortical function (48 and 45%) in group IV and V, respectively as compared to groups II (41%) and III (37%). Autologous ADMSCs may have better results in cell therapy as compared to nonautologous cells. However, more satisfactory outcomes may be obtained when the cell source is selected from the surrounding adipose tissue.     

Understanding the mechanisms of zinc bacitracin and avilamycin on animal production: linking gut microbiota and growth performance in chickens

Unravelling the mechanisms of how antibiotics influence growth performance through changes in gut microbiota can lead to the identification of highly productive microbiota in animal production. Here we investigated the effect of zinc bacitracin and avilamycin on growth performance and caecal microbiota in chickens and analysed associations between individual bacteria and growth performance. Two trials were undertaken; each used 96 individually caged 15-day-old Cobb broilers. Trial 1 had a control group (n = 48) and a zinc bacitracin (50 ppm) treatment group (n = 48). Trial 2 had a control group (n = 48) and an avilamycin (15 ppm) treatment group (n = 48). Chicken growth performance was evaluated over a 10-day period, and caecal microbiota was characterised by sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA gene amplicons. Avilamycin produced no effect on growth performance and exhibited little significant disturbance of the microbiota structure. However, zinc bacitracin reduced the feed conversion ratio (FCR) in treated birds, changed the composition and increased the diversity of their caecal microbiota by reducing dominant species. Avilamycin only produced minor reductions in the abundance of two microbial taxa, whereas zinc bacitracin produced relatively large shifts in a number of taxa, primarily Lactobacillus species. Also, a number of phylotypes closely related to lactobacilli species were positively or negatively correlated with FCR values, suggesting contrasting effects of Lactobacillus spp. on chicken growth performance. By harnessing such bacteria, it may be possible to develop high-productivity strategies in poultry that rely on the use of probiotics and less on in-feed antibiotics.     

Assessing temporal genetic variation in a cougar population: influence of harvest and neighboring populations

The geography of the Black Hills region of South Dakota and Wyoming may limit connectivity for many species. For species with large energetic demands and large home ranges or species at low densities this can create viability concerns. Carnivores in this region, such as cougars (Puma concolor), have the additive effect of natural and human-induced mortality; this may act to decrease long-term viability. In this study we set out to explore genetic diversity among cougar populations in the Black Hills and surrounding areas. Specifically, our objectives were to first compare genetic variation and effective number of breeders of cougars in the Black Hills during three harvest regimes: pre (2003–2006), moderate (2007–2010), and heavy (2011–2013), to determine if harvest impacted genetic variation. Second, we compared genetic structure of the Black Hills cougar population with cougar populations in neighboring eastern Wyoming and North Dakota. Using 20 microsatellite loci, we conducted genetic analysis on DNA samples from cougars in the Black Hills (n = 675), North Dakota (n = 113), and eastern Wyoming (n = 62) collected from 2001–2013. Here we report that the Black Hills cougar population maintained genetic variation over the three time periods. Our substructure analysis suggests that the maintenance of genetic variation was due to immigration from eastern Wyoming and possibly North Dakota.     

Subterranean Mammals: Reservoirs of Infection or Overlooked Sentinels of Anthropogenic Environmental Soiling?

Global reports of emergent pathogens in humans have intensified efforts to identify wildlife reservoirs. Subterranean mammals, such as bathyergid mole rats, are largely overlooked, despite their high-level exposure to soil-dwelling microbes. Initial assessment of bathyergid reservoir potential was determined using a broad-range 16S rRNA PCR approach, which revealed an 83% PCR-positivity for the 234 bathyergid lung samples evaluated. The presence of the Bacillus cereus complex, a ubiquitous bacterial assemblage, containing pathogenic and zoonotic species, was confirmed through nucleotide sequencing, prior to group- and species-specific PCR sequencing. The latter allowed for enhanced placement and prevalence estimations of Bacillus in four bathyergid species sampled across a range of transformed landscapes in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. Two novel Bacillus strains (1 and 2) identified on the basis of the concatenated 16S rRNA-groEL-yeaC data set (2066 nucleotides in length), clustered with B. mycoides (ATCC 6462) and B. weihenstephanensis (WSBC 10204), within a well-supported monophyletic lineage. The levels of co-infection, evaluated with a groEL strain-specific assay, developed specifically for this purpose, were high (71%). The overall Bacillus presence of 17.95% (ranging from 0% for Georychus capensis to 45.35% for Bathyergus suillus) differed significantly between host species (χ² = 69.643; df = 3; P < 0.05), being significantly higher in bathyergids sampled near an urban informal settlement (χ² = 70.245; df = 3; P < 0.05). The results highlight the sentinel potential of soil-dwelling mammals for monitoring anthropogenically introduced, opportunistic pathogens and the threats they pose to vulnerable communities, particularly in the developing world.     

Canine angiostrongylosis in Sweden: a nationwide seroepidemiological survey by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and a summary of five-year diagnostic activity (2011–2015)

Background

For the first time in Sweden, Angiostrongylus vasorum was detected on the island of Sydkoster in foxes and dogs in 2003. After sporadic detection of the parasite in foxes in southern Sweden, the first positive canine faecal sample on the mainland was found in 2011. Since then a total of 2882 faecal samples have been analysed with the Baermann test at the National Veterinary Institute (SVA) during the years 2011–2015; 20 of them being positive. Contemporaneously, of over 525 fox necropsies, only three were found to be infected. To gather a more accurate knowledge of A. vasorum occurrence in Sweden, a large scale seroepidemiological survey was performed and totally 3885 serum samples from dogs were tested for both the presence of circulating antigens and of specific antibodies to A. vasorum.

Results

In total, 0.10% (n = 4, 95% Confidence Intervals, CI 0.03–0.26%) of the dogs were positive for both antigen and antibodies, whereas 0.51% (n = 20, CI 0.31–0.79%) of the tested dogs were only antigen positive and 0.88% (n = 34, CI 0.61–1.22%) only positive for specific antibodies. Seropositive animals, as well as the majority of A. vasorum-positive faecal samples tested during the same period, were spread over central and southern Sweden. Annual prevalence of positive faecal dog samples and of necropsied A. vasorum positive foxes (coming from southern Sweden) varied from 0.3 to 0.9% (overall: 0.7%, CI 0.4–1.1%) and 0.0 to 1.4% (overall: 0.3%, CI 0.1–0.9%), respectively.

Conclusions

The findings confirmed that A. vasorum has become established in various geographical areas of central and southern Sweden. Veterinarians and dog owners should be aware of the potential risks of infection in large areas of the country, since canine angiostrongylosis may be a fatal disease if left untreated.

     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Aeromonas</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plesiomonas</Emphasis> species from scarlet ibis (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eudocimus ruber</Emphasis>) and their environment: monitoring antimicrobial susceptibility and virulence

The present study aimed at evaluating the role of captive scarlet ibises (Eudocimus ruber) and their environment as reservoirs of Aeromonas spp. and Plesiomonas spp., and analyzing the in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility and virulence of the recovered bacterial isolates. Thus, non-lactose and weak-lactose fermenting, oxidase positive Gram-negative bacilli were recovered from cloacal samples (n = 30) of scarlet ibises kept in a conservational facility and from water samples (n = 30) from their environment. Then, the antimicrobial susceptibility, hemolytic activity and biofilm production of the recovered Aeromonas spp. and Plesiomonas shigelloides strains were assessed. In addition, the virulence-associated genes of Aeromonas spp. were detected. Ten Aeromonas veronii bv. sobria, 2 Aeromonas hydrophila complex and 10 P. shigelloides were recovered. Intermediate susceptibility to piperacillin-tazobactam and cefepime was observed in 2 Aeromonas spp. and 1 P. shigelloides, respectively, and resistance to gentamicin was observed in 4 P. shigelloides. The automated susceptibility analysis revealed resistance to piperacillin-tazobactam and meropenem among Aeromonas spp. and intermediate susceptibility to gentamicin among P. shigelloides. All Aeromonas isolates presented hemolytic activity, while 3 P. shigelloides were non-hemolytic. All Aeromonas spp. and 3/10 P. shigelloides were biofilm-producers, at 28 °C, while 10 Aeromonas spp. and 6/10 P. shigelloides produced biofilms, at 37 °C. The most prevalent virulence genes of Aeromonas spp. were asa1 and ascV. Scarlet ibises and their environment harbour potentially pathogenic bacteria, thus requiring monitoring and measures to prevent contamination of humans and other animals.