Tonny Okullu¹, Albert Nyanchoka Onchweri¹, Conrad Ondieki Miruka^2,, Emmanuel Eilu³, Justus B. Abimana³, Maniga Josephat Nyabayo³

Considerable concern has been raised over the problem of antibiotic resistance in bacteria from humans and farm animals. However, in spite of this concern, the spread of resistance into wider ecosystems has not received the desired attention. The transfer of antibiotic resistance to wildlife is an important risk for environmental health. Detection of resistance to antibiotics in populations of wild animals usually entails examination of isolates of the common intestinal bacterium Escherichia coli. Bird populations sympatric to areas with human settlements and areas that have high density of livestock are colonised with antibiotic resistant E. coli strains. Data regarding occurrence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in African domestic and wild mammals is very limited. There is therefore a need to carry out studies in other parts of the African continent to find out if sympatric animals represent a possible reservoir for antibiotic resistant microbes. This study was therefore carried out to analyze faecal samples from barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) droppings in Ishaka Town, Uganda, for the presence of antibiotic resistant E. coli strains. Results of the study showed that, out of the one hundred and sixteen (116) fecal samples of Barn Swallow droppings collected, twenty seven isolates of Escherichia coli were obtained. All the 27 isolates (100%) were resistant to one or more of the tested antibiotics. Out of the 27 isolates, 20 (74.1%) were multi-drug resistant isolates (resistant to three or more classes of antimicrobials). Such birds can act as reservoirs for antibiotic resistant microbes if enough attention is not given to the problem. Further research is recommended to determine the prevalence of antibiotic resistant Escherichia coli from barn swallows residing in other parts of the country and even on the continent and the whole world at large.

drug resistance, wild birds, Escherichia coli, barn swallow, reservoirs