Public Health Importance of Biofilm-Producing Staphylococcus Species in Poultry Farms, Nearby Wild Bird Residents, and Farm Workers in Egypt

Staphylococcus species is an important foodborne zoonotic pathogen causing diseases in livestock globally. This study focused on identifying biofilm-producing Staphylococcus species in six poultry farms and the nearby wild bird populations.120 samples, including poultry organ samples, (trachea and lung) and 80 environmental samples (litter, water, feed, and fans swabs), from 6 broiler farms in Egypt exhibiting respiratory manifestation. Also, workers nasal swabs along with 50 wild birds’ faecal samples. Isolation and identification of Staphylococcus species were performed using conventional culture techniques and biochemical identification. PCR of the Staphylococcus 16S rRNA gene was performed. A colorimetric microtitration plate assay evaluated the isolates to produce biofilm. The icaD, eno, and fnbA genes were identified by PCR. A total of 45 isolates were obtained, all of which were identified as Staphylococcus species where 30% of organ samples and environmental sources: litter (25%), water (20%), feed (20%), and fan swabs (10%). Additionally, 44% of faecal samples from wild birds and 10% of farm workers nasal swabs Among these, 88.88% (39 out of 45) exhibited varying levels of biofilm production. Molecular analysis showed a high prevalence of biofilm-associated genes, with 35 isolates (77.7%) testing positive for icaD, 28 (62.2%) for eno, and 39 (86.6%) for fnbA. There were no significant differences in Staphylococcus isolation across animal sources or between resident and migratory wild birds (p > 0.05). Biofilm-producing Staphylococcus species are widely prevalent in poultry across Egypt, and the possibility of zoonotic transmission from wild birds to humans is an emerging area of research.