# Presence of Resistant Enterobacteriaceae in Poultry and Synanthropic Birds of an Urban Context of Social Farming in Southern Italy

## TL;DR

This study found antibiotic-resistant bacteria in animals and environments at a social farming site in Naples, highlighting health risks for vulnerable users.

## Contribution

The study identifies antibiotic-resistant enterobacteria in social farming environments, emphasizing zoonotic risks in urban agricultural settings.

## Key findings

- E. coli and Klebsiella spp. were most frequently isolated from animals and environmental samples.
- 96.9% of tested strains showed resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid.
- Findings suggest potential health risks for humans and animals in shared social farming environments.

## Abstract

Social Farming refers to a growing practice that uses agricultural and animal-related activities to support rehabilitation, social inclusion, health and education. Within these contexts, people often interact with animals; however, little is known regarding the risk of infections for users due to pathogens carried by the animals or present in contaminated environments. Therefore, this study was carried out in a Social Farming context in Naples to assess the presence of potential zoonotic enterobacteria (e.g., Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Salmonella spp.) in both animals and on environmental surfaces. The results show that animals and surfaces in Social Farming contexts may harbor potentially pathogenic agents, most of which were resistant to a commonly used antibiotic. These findings suggest a health risk to animals and humans, especially vulnerable populations, interacting in shared environments. However, continuous monitoring, good hygiene practices, and proper animal management will help preserve the health of humans and animals involved, while supporting the valuable benefits of Social Farming.

Social Farming promotes mental and physical health, social inclusion, education and recreational services through agricultural and animal-related activities. The expansion of Social Farming draws attention to its potential health risks, although information on the role of animals and environments as reservoirs of pathogenic or resistant bacteria within Social Farming contexts is still limited. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the presence of potential zoonotic enterobacteria (e.g., Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Salmonella spp.) and their antibiotic-resistance profiles from animals and environmental samples within a Social Farming context in Naples. Samples were collected from 76 animals belonging to 5 species and from 16 environmental surfaces. Bacteriological investigations included isolation of Enterobacteriaceae, identification through MALDI-TOF, and antibiotic susceptibility testing. The most frequently isolated species were E. coli and Klebsiella spp., both from animal (73.7% and 44.7%, respectively) and environmental samples (56.3% and 43.8%, respectively). Notably, 96.9% of tested strains were resistant to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. These findings suggest that poultry, synanthropic birds and environmental surfaces within a Social Farming context might harbor potentially pathogenic and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Thus, continuous monitoring, good hygiene, and proper management are required strategies to preserve the health of users, especially vulnerable populations such as children.