Detection and Characterization of ESBL-Producing and Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in Ornamental Birds and Their Surrounding Environments.

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL-KP) and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) represent a global health risk, with ornamental birds serving as potential reservoirs for their dissemination. This study aimed to isolate and characterize ESBL-KP and CRKP from ornamental birds and their surrounding environments. A total of 112 samples, including equal numbers of feces, cage swab, cage water, cage feed, store feed, handler's hand swab, nasal swab, and air samples, were collected equally from both households and pet bird shops. Overall, 52.68% (59/112, CI95: 0.435-0.6168) isolates were confirmed as positive, where a higher occurrence was observed in pet store samples (32/56, 57.14%) than in household samples (27/56, 48.21%). In the disk diffusion test, 79.67% (47/59, CI95: 0.6773-0.8796) isolates were identified as multidrug-resistant, with high resistance to imipenem and cefotaxime (both 66.10%), meropenem and ceftriaxone (each 59.02%). The occurrence of ESBL-producing isolates was higher in shop samples (26/32, 81.25%) than in household samples (12/27, 44.44%). In the Congo Red assay, 76.28% (45/59, CI95: 0.6403-0.8531) isolates were identified as strong biofilm producers. Resistance genes, blaCTX-M (92.10%), blaTEM (84.21%), blaSHV (78.95%), blaOXA-51 (51.42%), and blaNDM (34.29%), conferring resistance to beta-lactams and carbapenems were detected in the K. pneumoniae isolates, along with virulence genes, uge (100%), entB (83.05%), mrkD (81.36%), and kfu (30.51%). As a first report from Bangladesh, this study highlights the widespread occurrence of ESBL-KP, CRKP and biofilm-producing K. pneumoniae in ornamental birds, emphasizing the urgent need for a One Health approach to prevent associated zoonotic and environmental risks.