Antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) are common in retail poultry products. In this study, we aimed to isolate and characterize multidrug resistant (MDR) E. coli in raw chicken meat samples collected from poultry shops in Sylhet division, Bangladesh, as well as to determine correlation between resistance phenotype and genotype. A total of 600 chicken meat swabs (divided equally between broiler and layer farms, n = 300 each) were collected and the isolates identified as E. coli (n = 381) were selected. Disc diffusion antimicrobial susceptibility assay showed resistance of these isolates to ampicillin, erythromycin, tetracycline, streptomycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, chloramphenicol, and gentamicin. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) identified several antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in our isolates. Among these ARGs, the prevalence of tetA (for tetracycline) was the highest (72.58%) in broiler chicken isolates, followed by sul1 (for sulfonamide; 44.16%), aadA1 (for streptomycin; 33.50%), ereA (for erythromycin; 27.41%), aac-3-IV (for gentamicin; 25.38%), and the two genes cmlA (24.87%) and catA1 (8.63%) for chloramphenicol. On the other hand, the respective prevalence in layer chicken isolates were 82.06%, 47.83%, 35.87%, 35.33%, 23.91%, 19.02%, and 5.43%. Furthermore, 49.23% of the isolates from broiler chicken were MDR, with the presence of multiple antibiotic resistance genes, including 3 (40.11%) and 4 (9.13%) genes. On the other hand, 51.09% of layer chicken E. coli isolates were MDR, with 3, 4 or 5 ARGs detected in 36.41%, 14.13%, and 0.54% of the isolates, respectively. We also found that 12.8% of broiler chicken E. coli isolates and 7.61% of layer chicken isolates carried genes coding for extended-spectrum SHV beta-lactamases. Lastly, we report the presence of the AmpC beta-lactamase producing gene (CITM) in 4.56% and 3.26% of broiler and layer chicken E. coli isolates, respectively. We found significant correlations between most of the antimicrobial resistant phenotypes and genotypes observed among the investigated E. coli isolates. Our findings highlight the need for the prudent use of antimicrobials in chickens to minimize the development of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains.

Canine parvovirus (CPV-2) is one of the most important pathogens of dogs of all ages, causing pandemic infections that are characterized by fatal hemorrhagic enteritis. The CPV-2 vaccine is recommended as a core vaccine for pet animals. Despite the intensive practice of active immunization, CPV-2 remains a global threat. In this study, a multi-epitope vaccine against CPV-2 was designed, targeting the highly conserved capsid protein (VP2) via in silico approaches. Several immunoinformatics methods, such as epitope screening, molecular docking, and simulation were used to design a potential vaccine construct. The partial protein sequences of the VP2 gene of CPV-2 and protein sequences retrieved from the NCBI were screened to predict highly antigenic proteins through antigenicity, trans-membrane-topology screening, an allergenicity assessment, and a toxicity analysis. Homologous VP2 protein sequences typically linked to the disease were identified using NCBI BLAST, in which four conserved regions were preferred. Overall, 10 epitopes, DPIGGKTGI, KEFDTDLKP, GTDPDDVQ, GGTNFGYIG, GTFYFDCKP, NRALGLPP, SGTPTN, LGLPPFLNSL, IGGKTG, and VPPVYPN, were selected from the conserved regions to design the vaccine construct. The molecular docking demonstrated the higher binding affinity of these epitopes with dog leukocyte antigen (DLA) molecules. The selected epitopes were linked with Salmonella enterica flagellin FliC adjuvants, along with the PADRE sequence, by GGS linkers to construct a vaccine candidate with 272 nucleotides. The codon adaptation and in silico cloning showed that the generated vaccine can be expressed by the E. coli strain, K12, and the sequence of the vaccine construct showed no similarities with dog protein. Our results suggest that the vaccine construct might be useful in preventing canine parvoviral enteritis (CPE) in dogs. Further in vitro and in vivo experiments are needed for the validation of the vaccine candidate.

Nowadays, the spread of antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) from food animals to humans is considered to be a serious public health problem. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of multidrug-resistant ESBL-producing E. coli isolated from beef and sheep meat. A total of 400 meat samples (200 beef and 200 sheep) were randomly collected from different slaughterhouses and wet markets in Habiganj, Sylhet, Moulvibazar and Sunamganj districts of the Sylhet division of Bangladesh. Among 400 samples, 136 E. coli were isolated from meat samples (90 beef and 46 sheep). Disc diffusion antimicrobial susceptibility assay was used to test the antimicrobial susceptibility traits of E. coli. The overall prevalence of multidrug resistance was 56.67% in E. coli of beef samples and 43.47% in E. coli of sheep meat. E. coli isolates of the meat samples (beef and sheep meat) were found to be 100% resistant to both Erythromycin and Ampicillin (100%), and 100% sensitive to Cotrimoxazole, Ciprofloxacin, Gentamycin, Levofloxacin, and Colistin. Furthermore, antibiotic sensitivity tests were performed using Cefotaxime, Ceftazidine, Ceftriaxone, and Aztreonam to know the prevalence of ESBL producers in isolated E. coli. ESBL-producing E. coli, which showed resistance to both Cefotaxime and Ceftriaxone, was found at 21.11 % (19/90) and 4.35% (2/46) in beef and sheep meat respectively. Our results showed that the best drugs to treat animals afflicted with ESBL-producing E. coli were Ceftazidine and Aztreonam, highlighting the urgent need to minimize the unnecessary use of antibiotics.

This study aimed to obtain the demographic information of pet owners in Sylhet Metropolitan area, Bangladesh, and their knowledge, and husbandry practices as well as common constraints faced in pet rearing. The survey was conducted from November 2020 to October 2021 on a total of 115 pet owners using a semi-structured questionnaire. 58.26% of the owners were females and only 41.74% were males. The majority (79.03%) of the female pet owners owned cats and for male owners (66.04%) it was dogs. Almost half of the respondents (46.96%) belonged to the upper-middle-income group. The local breed was the dominant constituting 62.42% of the total pet population. The cats were mostly female (88.57%) and the majority of the dogs (56.96%) were male. The majority of the cats (61.29%) spent all the time in the house and was allowed to sit or sleep on the household furniture. Conventional home-cooked foods were common (72.58% for cats and 49.06% for dogs). Over three-quarters, (82.26%) of the pet owners had the habit of touching their pet, and one-fifth (19.35%) were found to have mouth contact with their cat, which implies the risk of contracting zoonotic diseases. Practices of deworming the pet were not 100%, and visiting veterinarians was less frequent. Among the respondents, 83.87% of the cat owners and 75.47% of the dog owners were known about rabies and vaccinated their pets against rabies. Besides rabies, only a few were known about the parasitic diseases transmitted from dog to human. About 66% of cat owners and 55% of dog owners carried out combined core vaccination. High incidence of diseases and high cost of treatment were the two most reported constraints in this city. The present study briefly identifies the strengths and shortcomings of the pet owners of Sylhet Metropolitan area, Bangladesh.

The present study was conducted to find out the effects of analgesic and anaesthetic drugs for cranial epidural analgesia in Black Bengal goats. A series of thirty two (n=32) analgesic trails were conducted in goats age ranged from 8 to 12 months and with an average body weight of 8.1 kg. The animals were divided into four groups (n=4) and a replication of 8 trails was performed in each group at least one week interval. Two percent (2%) lidocaine hydrochloride (6.0 mg/kg), 2% lidocaine hydrochloride with adrenaline (6.0 mg/kg), 0.5% bupivacaine hydrochloride (1.5 mg/kg) and ketamine hydrochloride (5.0 mg/kg) were used to perform cranial epidural analgesia. 2% Lidocaine hydrochloride and Ketamine hydrochloride showed rapid onset of analgesia. 0.5% bupivacaine hydrochloride produced the highest area of desensitization in thigh region during cranial epidural analgesia. Perineal region and tail were totally desensitized during epidural analgesia. 0.5% bupivacaine hydrochloride prolonged the duration of analgesia during epidural analgesia. 2% Lidocaine hydrochloride showed no side effects whereas 2% Lidocaine hydrochloride with adrenaline showed straining and muscle tremor, 0.5% bupivacaine hydrochloride shivering and drowsiness, ketamine hydrochloride tympany, excitement and drowsiness. It seemed that 2% Lidocaine hydrochloride is more effective whereas 0.5% bupivacaine hydrochloride is associated with side effects. Though ketamine hydrochloride is a dissociative agent, it could also be used in epidural analgesia.

Background: Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) contamination of retail chicken meat is a significant cause of public health concern among susceptible groups like children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. Objectives: The current research was conducted to identify the prevalence, genotypic pattern and drug resistance of multidrug‐resistant EPEC (MDR‐EPEC) in chicken meat during January to June 2024 in Kuliarchar and Bhairab upazilas, Bangladesh. Methods: A total of 140 retail chicken meat samples were collected from Kuliarchar and Bhairab upazilas between January and June 2024. The isolates were confirmed by primary culture, biochemical reactions, and molecular confirmation by PCR employing phoA and eaeA genes. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted using disk diffusion as per the CLSI 2020 standard. Results: Overall prevalence of E. coli was 68.6% (95% CI: 60.2–76.2) and was found to be higher in Bhairab (81.6%) compared to Kuliarchar (47.2%). 8.6% of these were found to be EPEC. All the retrieved EPEC were resistant to ampicillin, and 91.7% were resistant to ceftazidime and gentamicin. Amoxicillin–clavulanic acid and ciprofloxacin were the most effective antimicrobials. All EPEC isolates ( n = 12) exhibited resistance to three or more antimicrobial classes and were therefore classified as multidrug‐resistant. Genotypic analysis showed high prevalence of bla _{TEM‐1, 2} (91.7%), bla _SHV‐1 (66.7%), bla _{OXA‐1, 4 & 30} (33.3%), with aac(3)‐iv (83.3%), sul1 (41.7%) and tet(A) (25.0%), indicating widespread β‐lactam and gentamicin resistance in EPEC. The multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index was 0.40–0.50, which indicated exposure to high antibiotic pressure. Conclusions: The findings justify stricter food safety controls, effective use of antibiotics and proper hygiene to provide for the avoidance of the dissemination of MDR‐EPEC through infected chicken meat and public health safety.