The aims of this study were to characterize and investigate antimicrobial susceptibility and presence of integrons in 161 Aeromonas spp. isolated from ornamental freshwater fish farming environment, apparently healthy and diseased fish. Phylogenetic analyses of the gyrB gene sequences identified Aeromonas veronii as the most abundant species (75.8%) followed by Aeromonashydrophila (9.3%), Aeromonas caviae (5%), Aeromonas jandaei (4.3%), Aeromonas dhakensis (3.7%), Aeromonas sobria (0.6%), Aeromonas media (0.6%), and Aeromonas popoffii (0.6%). Susceptibility to thirteen antimicrobials was determined and antimicrobial resistance frequencies were: amoxicillin (92.5%), enrofloxacin (67.1%), nalidixic acid (63.4%), erythromycin (26.1%), tetracycline (23.6%), imipenem (18%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (16.8%), and gentamicin (16.8%). Multi-drug resistance (MDR) was widespread among the isolates (51.6%, 83/161) with 51.6% (63/122) A. veronii isolates being MDR. In addition, 68.3% of isolates had multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) indexes higher than 0.2, suggesting that they originated from a high-risk source of contamination where antimicrobials are often used. In all, 21.7% isolates carried class 1 integrons, with 97.1% having gene cassettes, while there were 12 isolates carrying class 2 integron gene cassettes. Our findings highlight that the aquatic environment and ornamental fish act as reservoirs of multidrug resistant Aeromonas spp. and underline the need for a judicious use of antimicrobials and timely surveillance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in aquaculture.

Broiler meat can become contaminated with Campylobacter of intestinal origin during processing. The present study aimed to identify the prevalence of Campylobacter in broiler flocks and meat contamination at retail shops, and determine the influence of semi-automated and wet market processing on Campylobacter contamination of neck skin samples. Samples were collected from semi-automated plants (n = 102) and wet markets (n = 25). From each batch of broilers, pooled caecal samples and neck skin samples were tested for Campylobacter. Broiler meat purchased from retail outlets (n = 37) was also tested. The prevalence of Campylobacter colonized broiler flocks was 67%. The contamination of meat at retail was 59%. Both semi-automated and wet market processing resulted to contaminate the broiler neck skins to the levels of 27.4% and 48%, respectively. When Campylobacter-free broiler flocks were processed in semi-automated facilities 15% (5/33) of neck skin samples became contaminated by the end of processing whereas 25% (2/8) became contaminated after wet market processing. Characterization of isolates revealed a higher proportion of C. coli compared to C. jejuni. Higher proportions of isolates were resistant to important antimicrobials. This study shows the importance of Campylobacter in poultry industry in Sri Lanka and the need for controlling antimicrobial resistance.

Reducing the growth of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through public understanding is a goal of the World Health Organization. It is especially important in countries where antibiotics are widely available for common ailments without prescription. This study assessed understanding of antibiotics and AMR alongside perception of antibiotic usage among the general public in two diverse Sri Lankan communities: ordinary urban and indigenous rural. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted, gaining 182 urban and 147 rural responses. The majority of urban respondents (69.2%) believed that they had very good or good knowledge about antibiotics compared to 40.1% of rural respondents. Belief about knowledge and actual knowledge (measured via a test question) were correlated (r = 0.49, p = 0.001) for rural respondents, but not for urban respondents. Several misconceptions about antibiotics were highlighted, including that Paracetamol, a painkiller, was thought to be an antibiotic by more than 50% of both urban and rural respondents. In addition, 18.5% of urban and 35.4% of rural participants would keep and re-use what they perceived as leftover antibiotics. It is urgent that we pay attention to educating the general public regarding the identified misconceptions of these powerful drugs and their appropriate use.

The presence and genetic characteristics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) in Sri Lanka was investigated to add additional insight into global spread, emergence and evolution of MRSP. A total of 234 samples from dogs visiting veterinary clinics were cultured for staphylococci and the genomes of the MRSP isolates were sequenced, to identify resistance genes, the multilocus sequence types (MLST) and spa types. From a questionnaire the history of antimicrobial treatment and patient information was obtained. S. pseudintermedius was isolated from 116/229 samples, eight of these were MRSP. Six MRSP CC45 isolates contained a pseudo-SCC element ΨSCCmec₅₇₃₉₅. Two isolates belonging to ST429 (CC761) and ST121 (CC121) contained novel variants of the SCCmec Type V(T) element. The elements were designated SCCmecV(T)_SL/066, that carried additional transposon-related genes, and SCCmecV(T)_SL/154 that carried a type III restriction-modification system, a type 7 ccr gene complex, and a cadA coding sequence. Thirty-seven percent of the dogs received antimicrobial treatment at the time of sampling of which four dogs were MRSP-positive. The proportion of MRSP among S. pseudintermedius is low compared to other countries, despite the fact that in Sri Lanka antimicrobials for treatment of dogs are available over the counter. Important is the finding of novel type V(T) SCCmec elements, which further underlines the high recombination frequency of SCC elements. The ΨSCCmec₅₇₃₉₅ was found in isolates of CC45, which is the only sequence type of MRSP known to contain this pseudo-cassette.

Salmonella, Campylobacter and Escherichia coli (E. coli) are common foodborne zoonotic bacteria with a significant risk of transmission through poultry and related products. Chicken is the most commonly available and consumed meat type in Sri Lanka, hence this study aimed to identify the occurrence of those microorganisms in retail chicken products that may be posing a direct risk to consumers. A total of 124 chicken samples of chilled or frozen raw meat, sausages, meat balls, and cooked chicken curries were purchased from retail outlets in Kandy municipality area. The presence of above organisms and the antimicrobial resistance profiles of E. coli isolates were tested utilizing standard methods. All types of samples except chicken curries were contaminated with Salmonella, Campylobacter and E. coli to different extents. Frequencies of contamination of sausages and meat balls with Salmonella and Campylobacter were lower than the contamination with E. coli. A higher proportion of loose sausages were positive for E. coli compared to packaged sausages. Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of E. coli isolates indicated that all were resistant to ampicillin, tetracycline and streptomycin but susceptible to gentamicin, imipenem and amikacin. The study reinforces the importance of adequate cooking of chicken meat and meat products.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health threat, but little is known about the perceptions regarding antimicrobials and AMR among healthcare professionals in Sri Lanka. This research aimed to take a One Health approach to explore the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of antibiotic stewardship and AMR among healthcare professionals in Sri Lanka. A qualitative study, using telephone interviews, allowing for an in-depth exploration of attitudes, beliefs and perspectives was conducted. Healthcare professionals from both the medical and veterinary sectors were included (n = 29). Interviews were conducted by an independent interviewer and were audio-recorded and transcribed. Conventional qualitative content analysis was undertaken. Four main categories were identified: (1) understanding of AMR and observing AMR, (2) barriers to antimicrobial stewardship, (3) personal factors in, and as a result of, inappropriate antibiotic usage and (4) how to tackle AMR. Healthcare professionals showed poor awareness regarding the spread of AMR and identified inappropriate prescribing behaviours by their inter- and intra-professional colleagues. Patient demands and the influence of pharmaceutical companies were factors contributing to poor prescribing behaviour. Suggestions for the future are stricter regulation of AMR control policy, effective government involvement, and awareness campaigns for healthcare professionals and the public.