The chicken value chain, a vital part of the global food supply, also represents a significant public health concern due to the risk of foodborne pathogens, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as India. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the prevalence of significant bacterial pathogens including Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp., Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Clostridium perfringens, and Klebsiella pneumonia. in retail chicken meat and associated environments and the antimicrobial resistance based on the articles published between January 2010–December 2023. The research adhered to the guidelines in the ’Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis’ (PRISMA). Based on 90 included studies, S. aureus showed the highest pooled prevalence (56%; 95% CI: 38–74%), followed by E. coli (50%; 95% CI: 37–64%), C. perfringens (35%; 95% CI: 10–65%), and K. pneumoniae (21%; 95% CI: 7–38%). Salmonella spp. (95% CI: 11–26%) and Campylobacter spp. (95% CI: 11–27%) exhibited similar prevalence rates at 18%, while L. monocytogenes had the lowest prevalence at 13% (95% CI: 1–33%). A sensitivity analysis was subsequently conducted to assess the impact of influential studies, and the pooled prevalence of each pathogen was recalculated after removing these studies to ensure the robustness of the results. The pathogens, specifically Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter spp., displayed high levels of resistance to medically important antimicrobials (erythromycin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, colistin), a potential threat to human health. This study advocates for a collaborative and comprehensive approach, reflecting the multifaceted nature of the issue, and highlighting the importance of a holistic strategy to safeguard public health and maintain antibiotic effectiveness in the face of emerging challenges.

Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Brucella melitensis, the causative agent of brucellosis, is of growing concern, particularly in low and middle-income countries. This study aimed to explore the genetic basis of AMR in B. melitensis strains from India.Methods: Twenty-four isolates from humans and animals were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole-genome sequencing.Results: Resistance to doxycycline (20.80%), ciprofloxacin (16.67%), cotrimoxazole (4.17%), and rifampicin (16.67%) was observed. Genome analysis revealed efflux-related genes like mprF, bepG, bepF, bepC, bepE, and bepD across all isolates, however, classical AMR genes were not detected. Mutations in key AMR-associated genes such as rpoB, gyrA, and folP were identified, intriguingly present in both resistant and susceptible isolates, suggesting a complex genotype–phenotype relationship in AMR among Brucella spp. Additionally, mutations in efflux genes were noted in resistant and some susceptible isolates, indicating their potential role in resistance mechanisms. However, mutations in AMR-associated genes did not consistently align with phenotypic resistance, suggesting a multifactorial basis for resistance.Discussion: The study underscores the complexity of AMR in B. melitensis and advocates for a holistic multi-omics approach to fully understand resistance mechanisms. These findings offer valuable insights into genetic markers associated with AMR, guiding future research and treatment strategies.

We present the draft genome sequences of 23 Brucella melitensis isolates derived from human and animal sources across India with genome size predominantly at 3.207 M and uniform GC content (57.24%) across isolates. The accession numbers and detailed sequencing data enhance the utility of this resource for further genomic studies.

Canine brucellosis is an under-recognized zoonotic disease with important reproductive and public health implications. This study investigated molecular and serological evidence of Brucella infection in owned domestic dogs presented to veterinary clinics and referral facilities in Delhi, Bareilly (Uttar Pradesh), and Mannuthy (Kerala), and evaluated the performance of commonly used diagnostic tests. A total of 448 sampling units were included. Overall, 382 blood-derived DNA samples were screened by genus-specific PCR targeting the bcsp31 gene, 356 serum samples were tested by ELISA and agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID), and 22 vaginal swab-derived samples were screened by PCR. PCR detected Brucella DNA in 40/382 (10.47%) blood-derived samples, with all positive samples originating from Delhi (40/174; 22.99%), and in 1/22 (4.50%) vaginal swab-derived samples. ELISA detected antibodies in 34/356 (9.55%) samples, while AGID detected 13/356 (3.65%). Overall, 43/356 (12.08%) samples were positive by at least one serological test. Agreement between ELISA and AGID was 89.04%, with Cohen’s κ = 0.12; when ELISA was used as the comparator, AGID showed a relative sensitivity of 11.76% and relative specificity of 97.20%. Bayesian latent-class analysis estimated the model-derived latent Brucella-positive infection-related state at 17.84% (95% credible interval [CrI]: 11.99–25.13%). This estimate represents an underlying infection-related state inferred from the joint diagnostic-test results and should not be interpreted as confirmed active infection or clinical disease. Positivity was significantly higher among dogs older than two years (p < 0.05), while no significant association was observed with sex. Overall, the findings provide molecular and serological evidence of Brucella in the sampled owned domestic dogs and highlight the complementary information provided by molecular and serological testing. Further species-level characterization and structured surveillance are warranted to better define the epidemiology and public-health significance of Brucella infection detected in dogs in India.