Molecular identification of Klebsiella pneumoniae that produces extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) in canaries (Serinus canaria) imported from Malaysia

Abstract

Klebsiella pneumoniae is an opportunistic Gram-negative bacterium known to cause serious infections in humans and animals and has the ability to develop resistance to various antibiotics. One of the most concerning resistance mechanisms is the production of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) enzymes, which can hydrolyze the latest generation of β-lactam antibiotics. This study aimed to identify the presence of ESBL-encoding genes, specifically blaTEM and blaSHV, in K. pneumoniae isolates obtained from imported canaries (Serinus canaria). A total of 150 fresh fecal samples were collected from imported canaries in Malang Regency and analyzed using conventional microbiological methods. Identification was carried out through colony morphology characterization, Gram staining, and biochemical tests (IMViC, SIM, TSIA). Isolates identified as K. pneumoniae were then tested for sensitivity to five types of antibiotics using the disk diffusion method and continued with molecular detection of ESBL genes using PCR techniques. The results showed that 12 samples (8%) were positive for K. pneumoniae, and of these, 10 isolates (83.3%) showed resistance to ≥3 classes of antibiotics, categorized as multidrug-resistant (MDR). Molecular detection revealed that 6 isolates carried the blaTEM gene and 1 isolate carried the blaSHV gene. These findings indicate that imported canaries have the potential to be a reservoir of ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae and may contribute to the spread of antimicrobial resistance across species. Surveillance and early detection efforts are needed within the context of a One Health approach to prevent the risk of zoonoses and the spread of resistance in the global environment.