Alarming Antibiotic Resistance in Gram-Negative Bacteria from Canada Goose Droppings as a Public Health Concern​

Pal Patel

Co-Presenters: Individual Presentation

College: Hennings College of Science Mathematics and Technology

Major: BS.BIO/CELL/MOLEC

Faculty Research Mentor: Bendaoud, Meriem  

Abstract:

Canada geese (Branta canadensis) are abundant in urban parks and outdoor spaces, where their droppings may serve as reservoirs of pathogenic and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Understanding the microbial composition of goose droppings is essential to assessing potential zoonotic risks in shared environments. This study tested goose droppings collected from Secaucus, Wayne, and Jersey City,three locations situated near different bodies of water, including a lake, a river, and the Hudson waterfront. Gram-negative bacteria were isolated on MacConkey agar, with lactose-fermenting and non-lactose-fermenting colonies identified. Antibiotic susceptibility was evaluated using the disk diffusion assay with eight different antibiotics, including penicillin, ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, and tetracycline, which are commonly used in clinical settings. Hemolytic activity was assessed on blood agar to determine pathogenic potential. A substantial number of isolates displayed resistance to multiple antibiotics. The blood agar assay also identified colonies with beta-hemolysis, indicating the presence of potentially pathogenic bacteria. These findings suggest that urban goose droppings can harbor antibiotic-resistant and harmful bacteria, posing health risks for communities in shared environments. Future research will use molecular identification of isolates through 16S rRNA sequencing to characterize resistance genes and virulence factors and will expand testing to include Gram-positive bacteria and additional clinically relevant antibiotics.