Consumption of milk contaminated with antibiotic residues above the maximum residue limit (MRL) causes toxicity to humans and the development of superbugs that leads to the failure of antibiotic therapy and threatens human life. Moreover, long-duration exposure might alter the nature of gut microflora, resulting in the enhancement of many diseases. Therefore, our study aims to find out the residues level of selected antibiotics in milk and assessments of humans health risks. We examined 300 raw and processed milk samples using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) methods against five veterinary antibiotics and assessed the health risk for consumers in Chattogram, Bangladesh. Risk analysis was done by using a hazard quotient based on 165 ml per capita milk consumption. We found a total of 7 % prevalence of antibiotic residues in raw milk, which were higher (8 %) in individual milk samples than the pooled samples (4 %). However, we did not find any antibiotic residues in processed milk. The mean concentration of oxytetracycline residue was detected at 61.29 μg/l, and amoxicillin was 124 μg/l in individual milk samples. Risk analysis showed that, the hazard quotient values are 0.0056 for oxytetracycline and 0.0017 for amoxicillin residues. This result implied no significant health risks associated with the consumption of milk produced and marketed in the study area. Our study might fill up the gaps of knowledge in measuring the safety status of milk regarding public health issues.

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) foodborne pathogens have created a great challenge to the supply and consumption of safe & healthy animal-source foods. The study was conducted to identify the common foodborne pathogens from animal-source foods & by-products with their antimicrobial drug susceptibility and resistance gene profile. The common foodborne pathogens Escherichia coli (E. coli), Salmonella, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Campylobacter species were identified in livestock and poultry food products. The prevalence of foodborne pathogens was found higher in poultry food & by-product compared with livestock (p < 0.05). The antimicrobial drug susceptibility results revealed decreased susceptibility to penicillin, ampicillin, amoxicillin, levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, neomycin, streptomycin, and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim whilst gentamicin was found comparatively more sensitive. Regardless of sources, the overall MDR pattern of E. coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus were found to be 88.33%, 75%, 95%, and 100%, respectively. The genotypic resistance showed a prevalence of bla_TEM, bla_SHV, bla_CMY, tetA, tetB, sul1, aadA1, aac(3)-IV, and ereA resistance genes. The phenotype and genotype resistance patterns of isolated pathogens from livestock and poultry had harmony and good concordance, and sul1 & tetA resistance genes had a higher prevalence. Good agricultural practices along with proper biosecurity may reduce the rampant use of antimicrobial drugs. In addition, proper handling, processing, storage, and transportation of foods may decline the spread of MDR foodborne pathogens in the food chain.

The widespread and indiscriminate use of antimicrobials in food animals is a key contributor to antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial residue, which have become a growing public and animal health concern in developing countries such as Bangladesh. This study was aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of large-animal farmers towards antimicrobial use (AMU), antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and antimicrobial residue (AR) with their correlation. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a structured and pretested questionnaire in the Mymensingh division of Bangladesh. A total of 212 large-animal farmers (dairy, beef fattening, buffalo, sheep, and goat farmers) were surveyed. Results showed that most of the farmers are male (85.8%) and belong to the 18–30 age group (37.3%). About 20.3% had no formal education, and nearly half of the participants (48.1%) received training regarding antibiotic use and resistance. Penicillin is the most common class of antibiotic used (61.8%) in the study area, followed by other antimicrobials. Only 37.7% of the farmers used antimicrobials on the recommendation of their veterinarian. Overall, 41.5%, 42.5%, and 21.7% of farmers possess adequate knowledge and a satisfactory attitude and perform desirable practices, respectively. Farmers in the 31–40 age group have adequate knowledge, attitude, and ability to implement desired practices compared to farmers in the 18–30 age group. Farmers having a graduate or post-graduate degree scored better in relation to knowledge, attitude, and practice than other farmers. Analysis revealed that farmers who received training on AMU and AMR had 10.014 times (OR = 10.014, 95% CIs: 5.252–19.094), 9.409 times (OR = 9.409, 95% CIs: 4.972–17.806), and 25.994 times (OR = 25.994, 95% CIs: 7.73–87.414) better knowledge, attitude, and performance, respectively, compared to their counterparts. A significant proportion of farmers (97.2%) dispose of leftover antibiotics inappropriately. The findings of the present study will be used to intervene in the education and training of the farmers, which will help to limit the indiscriminate and irrational use of antimicrobials, leading to reducing the chances of developing AMR.

Brucellosis is a neglected endemic zoonosis in Bangladesh and has a significant impact on public health and animal welfare of dairy farming as well as dairy farm economics. A cross‐sectional study was conducted to evaluate the seroprevalence of and risk factors for brucellosis in dairy cattle in the Chittagong metropolitan area (CMA) of Chittagong, Bangladesh. We collected serum samples (n = 158) from six randomly selected dairy farms in the CMA between February and November, 2015. The Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and a competitive ELISA (cELISA) were used as the screening and confirmatory tests respectively. Farm level and animal level demographic and risk factor data were collected using a questionnaire. The risk factors were analysed using a multivariable logistic regression with random effects. The overall seroprevalences of antibodies against brucellosis in cattle were 21.5% (34/158) and 7.6% (12/158) based on parallel and serial interpretation of the two tests respectively. Our results revealed that 20.3% (32/158) samples were positive using the RBPT and 8.9% (14/158) were positive using the cELISA. The within‐herd seroprevalence ranged from 10% to 26.3% and 5 to 20.7% using the RBPT and cELISA tests respectively. The odds of seropositivity were significantly higher in lactating cows (OR: 2.59; 95% CI: 1.02–6.55), cows producing less than 2 litres of milk (OR: 29.6; 95% CI: 4.3–353.8), cow producing 2–12 litres of milk (OR: 4.8; 95% CI: 1.1–33.4) and cows with reproductive disorders (OR: 3.2; 95% CI: 1.2–10.1). About 7.6% (12/158) and 1.3% (2/158) of cattle were found to be infected with acute and chronic brucellosis respectively. Based on these results, we suggest that cows that have reproductive disorders and are producing little milk should be prioritized for brucellosis screening in CMA. The screening tests should be used to control brucellosis in cattle in order to protect animal welfare, human health and to minimize the economic losses.

Lumpy skin disease is explained as a significant cattle disease affecting cattle of many parts of the world. An outbreak was experienced in different parts of Bangladesh including Barishal for the first time in the last quarter of 2019. This investigation was carried out to know the outbreak scenario of the disease in southern part of Bangladesh. A total of 726 cattle were included in this study covering 50 dairy farms of Barishal region from September 2019 to December 2019. Morbidity rate was found 21% (CI: 18-24%) and mortality was 1% (CI: 1-2%) in the outbreak area. Young animals (24%) and pregnant animals (70%) were significantly more susceptible compared to aged animals (17%) and non-pregnant animals (15%), respectively. Moreover, male and crossbred cattle were slightly more prone to the infection in comparison to their counterparts. About 45% of the affected animals showed nodular and remaining 55% had edematous lesions. Almost 90% of the affected animals were treated with NSAID followed by antibiotics, antihistaminic, steroid drugs and antiviral drugs where only 20% of the affected animals were treated by authorized veterinary personnel. This was the first epidemiological investigation in the mentioned outbreak area which may serve as a baseline for LSD research in the location needed for developing effective control strategy.

A total of 560 cattle and water buffalo were examined at livestock markets in Bangladesh. The aim was to assess the frequency of nose and tail injuries that could have occurred during handling and transport. The frequency of nose piercing was 64%, and 69% of the cattle and 54% of the water buffalo had rubbing or tearing injuries at the nostrils from nose ropes fitted through the pierced hole. Almost half of the nose-pierced animals (47%) had lacerations and ulcerations where the nose rope had rubbed against the nose. Pus at the nostril was observed in 56% of the animals, and 57 and 58% had severe and extended nose injuries, respectively. Nose injuries were more severe in imported Hariana cattle compared with exotic and local breeds. In cattle plus water buffalo, 39% had tail injuries of which the two major abnormalities were absent tail end (2%) and kinked tail (98%). Tail injuries were more common in cattle (51%) than water buffalo (15%). Among the cattle breeds, the frequency of tail injuries in Hariana was 65%. In conclusion, the cattle and water buffalo experienced a number of serious injuries and this calls for greater attention to be paid to handling methods in draught animals in south Asia.