Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Shiga Toxin Producing Genes STX1AND STX2 from the Captive Migratory Birds of Lahore

Authors

Romana Zulfiqar, Department of Zoology,Islamia University of Bahawalpur (Bahawalnagar campus). Bahawalnagar 63100, PakistanFollow
Hamid ullah, Department of Zoology,Islamia University of Bahawalpur (Bahawalnagar campus). Bahawalnagar 63100, PakistanFollow
Bushra Nisar Khan, Conservation Biology Lab, Institute of Zoology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan 54590Follow
Muhammad Habib ur rehman, Department of Zoology,Islamia University of Bahawalpur (Bahawalnagar campus). Bahawalnagar 63100, PakistanFollow
Hoor ul Ain, Department of Zoology,Islamia University of Bahawalpur (Bahawalnagar campus). Bahawalnagar 63100, PakistanFollow
Alishba Zaheer, Department of Zoology, Government, Graduate Islamia College for Women's Cooper Raod, LahoreFollow
Samrah Hussain, Department of Biochemistry Islamia university of Bhawalpur ( bhawalnagar campus), bhawalnagar 63100,pakistanFollow
Aazba Naeem, Department of Zoology, Islamia university of Bahawalpur (Bahawalnagar campus), Bahawalnagar 63100, PakistanFollow

Abstract

A total of 240 cloacal and fecal swabs were collected from 25 avian species, including ducks, swans, geese, pheasants, guinea fowl, parrots, cranes, and crows. Samples were cultured on Sorbitol MacConkey Agar, and presumptive Escherichia coli isolates were confirmed using morphological, biochemical, and molecular methods. Shiga toxin–producing E. coli (STEC) was identified through PCR detection of stx1 and stx2 genes, followed by sequencing. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method against streptomycin, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, azithromycin, and tetracycline. Only four STEC isolates were recovered, resulting in an overall prevalence of 1.66 % (4/240). Positive cases were detected in Guinea fowl (5 %) and Silver pheasant (4.76 %) from safari parks, and White swan (3.57 %) and Black swan (3.03 %) from zoos. Two isolates from swans carried the highly virulent stx2 gene, while the remaining two harbored stx1. All isolates exhibited multidrug resistance, with high resistance to ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, and azithromycin, moderate resistance to tetracycline, and general susceptibility to streptomycin. Evaluation of natural antimicrobials showed strong inhibitory and bactericidal activity of white alum and selected nanocomposites, whereas hydrogen peroxide was ineffective. This study provides the first report of stx1 and stx2 positive STEC in captive migratory birds in Pakistan, highlighting potential zoonotic risks and the need for routine surveillance, strengthened biosecurity, and responsible antibiotic use.

Article History

Received: Sep 02, 2025; Accepted: Sep 23, 2025; Published: Dec 26, 2025

Recommended Citation

Zulfiqar, R., ullah, H., Khan, B., Habib ur rehman, M., ul Ain, H., Zaheer, A., Hussain, S., & Naeem, A. (2025). Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Shiga Toxin Producing Genes STX1AND STX2 from the Captive Migratory Birds of Lahore, Journal of Bioresource Management, 12 (4).