Enterobacteriaceae that produce extended‐spectrum β‐lactamases (ESBLs) can result in severe human infections, contributing to the development of complex diseases. Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of the ESBL‐producing pathogens that helps to set antimicrobial resistance as a major public health problem worldwide. The current study aimed to isolate, identify, and characterize ESBL‐producing K. pneumoniae and their antimicrobial resistance pattern in retail cattle meat samples. A comprehensive set of 225 cattle meat samples was gathered from 13 upazilas within the Sylhet district of Bangladesh. The bacterial isolates were obtained through biochemical and cultural techniques, and the identification of K. pneumoniae was accomplished using polymerase chain reactions (PCRs). Antimicrobial susceptibilities were assessed using disk diffusion in accordance with the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI, 2020) guidelines. Genes encoding ESBL enzymes were detected by the double‐disk synergy test (DDST) and multiplex PCR. The overall prevalence of Klebsiella spp. was 28.89% (65/225), whereas the positive percentage of K. pneumoniae was 59.2% (29/49) confirmed by PCR. Antimicrobial resistance was observed against 12 antibiotics. According to the phenotypic resistance pattern determined through the disk diffusion method, all isolates (100%) were resistant to ampicillin, amoxicillin, cefuroxime, cefotaxime, and colistin. On the other hand, the highest susceptibility was observed towards gentamicin (97.95%), followed by ciprofloxacin (85.71%), tetracycline (83.67%), and trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole (81.63%). Out of the total K. pneumoniae isolates analyzed, ESBL genes were present, and the highest percentage, 82.8% (24/29), tested positive for bla_TEM genes. Interestingly, among the nine ESBL genes, six were identified in K. pneumoniae isolates, except for bla_OXA, bla_{CTX‐M‐grp2}, and MultiCase_DHA. The study’s results reveal the presence of extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase (ESBL)‐producing multidrug‐resistant (MDR) K. pneumoniae in retail cattle meat samples posing a substantial public health threat.

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.

Foot‐and‐mouth disease (FMD) virus (FMDV) is endemic in Bangladesh, causing severe economic losses in the livestock sector. While it primarily affects cattle, buffaloes ( Bubalus bubalis ) remain highly susceptible. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence and molecular characteristics of FMDV in buffaloes across three districts (Sylhet, Rajshahi, and Noakhali) of Bangladesh from January to June 2024. In a cross‐sectional study, a total of 622 nasal swabs from 67 herds were collected and tested for FMDV RNA using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Overall, 255 samples were positive, resulting in an individual‐level prevalence of 41.0%(255/622), while 88.1% (59/67) of herds were FMDV‐positive. Animal‐level prevalence was highest in Sylhet (47.1%), followed by Noakhali (38.9%) and Rajshahi (37.1%). To further characterize circulating strains, eight representative RT‐PCR‐positive samples were sequenced, revealing the co‐circulation of serotypes O ( n = 5) and Asia‐1 ( n = 3). Phylogenetic analysis showed that the isolates belonged to the ME‐SA/Ind2001e lineage of the serotype O and the Asia‐1 Group V lineage, clustering with contemporary strains from Bangladesh and neighboring countries, suggesting possible intra‐ and transboundary transmission. Pairwise genetic distance evaluation revealed high regional similarity, while Mantel tests indicated significant associations between genetic, geographic, and temporal distances. Comparative genomic analysis revealed largely conserved genomic regions, whereas VP1 analysis indicated that purifying selection predominated across both serotypes, with serotype O exhibiting greater genetic diversity ( π = 0.11642) than Asia‐1 ( π = 0.05258), suggesting localized antigenic variability and possible immune‐mediated viral evolution. These findings highlight the need for strengthened surveillance, improved biosecurity, and integrated vaccination strategies to enhance FMD control and reduce economic losses in Bangladesh.

Pasteurella multocida is an important bacterial respiratory pathogen of buffaloes and may cause major economic losses in the livestock sector. But there is a lack of data on its prevalence, risk factors, and antimicrobial resistance patterns in Bangladesh. The study was cross‐sectional, and a total of 400 buffaloes from seven locations in Bangladesh were included in the nasal swab collection. Isolation was done using culture methods and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Associations between infection and risk factors were explored using logistic regression analysis; antibiotic susceptibility was determined by the disc diffusion method. The co‐resistance patterns were assessed by Pearson's correlation analysis. The culture‐based prevalence of P. multocida was 12.25%, compared with a PCR‐confirmed prevalence of 7.25%; all PCR‐positive isolates were capsular type B, with notable regional variation in prevalence. Buffaloes with respiratory symptoms had significantly greater odds of being infected (OR = 8.88, p < 0.001), and the younger group of animals aged 1–3 years had a greater predisposition to infection than the younger ones, but sex was not significantly associated with infection. The isolates exhibited high antibiotic resistance, as demonstrated by antimicrobial susceptibility testing, particularly against ampicillin (96.55%), oxytetracycline (93.10%), and penicillin‐G (89.65%). Cefixime (93.10%) and azithromycin (68.96%) remained largely effective by contrast. Positive correlations were identified between resistance to β‐lactams, tetracyclines, and aminoglycosides. These findings suggest that multidrug‐resistant P. multocida type B is circulating in buffaloes in Bangladesh and highlight the need for increased surveillance, rational use of antimicrobials, and integrated control strategies.

Background: Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen in livestock and poses a potential public health threat. Objective: This cross‐sectional study investigated the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance profiles and molecular characteristics of S. aureus and MRSA isolated from buffalo nasal swabs in the Sylhet and Noakhali districts of Bangladesh. Methods: A total of 400 nasal swabs were collected and screened using selective culture and biochemical tests, followed by PCR targeting the nuc gene for S. aureus and the mecA gene for MRSA. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was conducted using disk diffusion as per the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) 2020 standard. Results: Overall, 78 isolates (19.5%; 95% CI: 15.7–23.7) were confirmed as S. aureus , of which 43 (10.5%; 95% CI: 7.7–13.9) were identified as MRSA. Higher MRSA prevalence was observed in buffaloes aged 1–3 years (14.1%), males (14.8%; p = 0.01) and animals with respiratory symptoms (25.2%) compared to healthy buffaloes (4.3%; p < 0.001). AST of MRSA isolates showed high resistance to cefoxitin (97.7%), ceftriaxone (86.0%) and tetracycline (65.1%), whereas resistance to ciprofloxacin (4.7%) and levofloxacin (9.3%) was low. Multidrug resistance was detected in 88.4% (95% CI: 74.9–96.1) of MRSA isolates, with multiple antibiotic resistance index (MARI) values ranging from 0.23 to 0.54. Virulence genes ( sea , hla and icaA ) and resistance genes ( aac(3)‐IV , sul1 , tetA and strA ) were detected. Conclusion: These findings indicate a substantial MRSA burden in buffaloes, emphasizing the need for prudent antibiotic use and ongoing surveillance to reduce zoonotic transmission risks.