Benedictine University, Biology Department, Lisle, IL 60532
Populations of resident Canada geese (Branta canadensis) have increased in DuPage County, Illinois, as development consisting of manicured lawns leading to retention ponds provides additional habitat for these birds. Geese present in this area during the breeding season between April to September no longer migrate and are considered to be resident Canada geese. Samples of goose feces from these resident goslings and associated adults were collected from various locations throughout the county in 2006 and 2007. The goslings from which the samples were obtained were capable of leaving the nest but were not yet able to fly. Isolation and characterization of the most numerous bacteria present in the fecal samples were performed using a series of selective enrichments and using classical microbiological laboratory techniques. A total of 246 unique bacteria were isolated from fecal samples collected from family groups in ten different locations in 2006 and 427 unique bacteria were isolated from fecal samples collected in 2007. Each bacterial isolate was tested using a modification of the growth-based Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique to determine the resistance to ten different commonly used antibiotics. Analyses of the phenotypes among family groups at a specific location and between populations at different locations indicate patterns of antibiotic resistance.
[Abstract (DOC)]