BACTERIOLOGICAL ISOLATION AND THEIR ANTIBIOGRAM AND MYCOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF PIGEON DROPPINGS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22159/ijcpr.2026v18i1.8048Keywords:
Pigeon droppings, Bacteria, Fungi, MDR, AntibioticsAbstract
Objective: Pigeon feces are a major source of infectious pathogens spreading to the surrounding environment in yards and live-bird markets. The aim of this study is to isolate, identify, and characterize the bacterial and fungal species present in pigeon droppings, and to evaluate the antibiotic susceptibility patterns (antibiogram) of the bacterial isolates.
Methods: The present study is a cross-sectional, descriptive, laboratory-based study conducted for a period of eight months from Jan 2025 to Aug 2025 in a Tertiary care teaching hospital, Chevella. 110 pigeon dropping samples were taken using sterile cotton swabs from various locations, including temples, historic places, and public parks. Pigeon droppings were cultured on Nutrient, MacConkey and Blood agar and incubated at 37 °C for 24–48 h to isolate bacteria. Identification was based on colony morphology, Gram staining, and standard biochemical tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method on Mueller–Hinton agar following CLSI guidelines. Fungal isolates were obtained on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar at 25–28 °C and identified by their macroscopic and microscopic features.
Results: In the present study, the maximum bacterial count was identified in 10-4 dilution which ranged from 41 x 105 cfu/ml. The major isolates obtained were CONS 38.45%, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 27.6%, E. coli 16.9%. Among the fungal isolates, Candida species 33.3% followed by Aspergllus niger 29.16% from pigeon droppings. Most of the CONS were resistant to penicillin antibiotic 80% and Pseudomonas isolates were resistant to CXM and COT 77.8% followed by 72.3% to AMC and third-generation cephalosporins. Most of the bacterial isolates obtained in the study were multidrug-resistant isolates.
Conclusion: Overall, pigeon droppings represent a potential public health hazard, contributing to environmental contamination, source of MDR isolates and possible zoonotic transmission and hence preventive measures should be followed to prevent to prevent environmental contamination and Zoonotic transmission.
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