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Background: Bovine genital campylobacteriosis (BGC) is a venereal disease caused by Campylobacter fetus that has a negative impact on animal reproduction. The bull is considered to be a symptomless carrier that spreads the disease agent to breeding cows, causing infertility and sporadic abortion. Aim: The study aims to estimate the prevalence, identify risk factors of Campylobacter fetus (C. fetus) infection and antimicrobial resistance pattern of the C. fetus isolates. Method: A cross‐sectional survey was conducted in Mymensingh district of Bangladesh. Bull smegma samples (single sample from each bull) were collected from 300 bulls from four farms and tested via culture, biochemical identification and finally 16S rRNA and cdtA gene‐based molecular assays (PCR) for herd and animal‐level prevalence estimation. Herd‐ and animal‐level data on risk factors were collected from the farmers using a pretested questionnaire and analysed by univariable and multivariable logistic regression models with a p value of <0.05 was taken statistically significant for both analyses. Results: Among the surveyed farms, 75% (95% CI: 19.4%–99.4%) were confirmed to have bulls infected with Campylobacter fetus at herd level. However, animal‐level occurrence of C. fetus was estimated to be 8.7% (26/300) (95% CI: 5.7%–12.4%). Natural service increases the odds of campylobacteriosis 38.18 times (95% CI: 13.89–104.94) in comparison to artificial insemination for C. fetus infection in bulls. Significantly, half of the isolates (50%, n = 13) were identified to be multidrug resistant (MDR) for three to five antimicrobial agents. Conclusion: This study highlights the need to develop official guidelines for C. fetus control and prevention in Bangladesh including mandatory artificial insemination in reproductive cows and heifers, routine screening of breeding bulls for C. fetus free status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in selected districts of Bangladesh to estimate prevalence, risk factors, and molecular detection of Campylobacter isolates from 540 farmed cattle of 90 herds. As an individual sample, 540 feces, and as a pooled sample, 180 milk samples, 90 feed samples, 90 water samples, 90 manure samples, and 90 animal attendants' hand-rinse water were collected and tested via culture, biochemical, and molecular assays. A pretested semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect herd-level data on risk factors with the herd owners. The herd-level data on risk factors were analyzed through univariate and multivariate analyses, and a p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant for all analyses. Overall, farm-level prevalence of bovine Campylobacter was enumerated to be 53.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 42.5–63.9%). The feces sample was found to be a high level of contamination of 30.9% (95% CI: 27–35%) followed by the manure swab (pooled) at 15.6% (95% CI: 8.8–24.7%). Campylobacter jejuni was documented as an abundant species (12.6%), followed by Campylobacter coli (5.1%), and Campylobacter fetus (0.3%). Older farms (>5 years of age), no/minimum cleaning and disinfection practices, along with animal roaming outside of the farm, were documented as significant risk factors for farm-level Campylobacter occurrence. Evidence-based control measures need to be taken through stringent biosecurity and hygienic measurement to lessen the load of the Campylobacter pathogen in the farm environment and prevent further transmission to animals and humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Campylobacter infections in sheep may be asymptomatic or cause enteritis, ileitis, infertility, and abortion. Thus, this study aimed to estimate the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in farming sheep and to detect risk factors, molecular patterns, and antimicrobial susceptibility status of these pathogens. Materials and Methods: Four hundred and eight fecal samples were collected from 12 flocks in the Mymensingh and Sherpur districts. Samples were tested by both basic (culture and biochemical tests) and molecular (initially 16S rRNA and later hipO gene-based polymerase chain reaction). Furthermore, the antimicrobial susceptibility status of Campylobacter jejuni was confirmed using disk diffusion. Flock- and animal-level data were captured using semi-structured interviews with farm owners under bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to confirm the risk factors for Campylobacterpositive status. Results: The prevalence of C. jejuni staining at the animal and flock levels was 8.82% (36/408) and 66.70% (8/12), respectively. The age of sheep was identified as an important risk factor. Up to 1 year of age, sheep were 3.78 times more likely to be infected with C. jejuni (95% confidence interval: 1.0736-13.3146, p = 0.038). Of the 36 isolates of C. jejuni, all were found to be fully susceptible (100%) to gentamicin and ciprofloxacin. In this study, three antimicrobial agents, oxytetracycline, azithromycin, and ceftriaxone, were fully resistant (100%). The majority of isolates were resistant to a combination of 4-6 antimicrobial agents. Conclusion: The present study highlights the predominant maintenance of zoonotic Campylobacter species in sheep, and their burden on human health is enormous. Therefore, environmental, animal, and human health needs to be focused under a One Health lens to mitigate the occurrence of Campylobacter in farm settings and to prevent further introduction to animals and humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]