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Irrational and inappropriate use of antibiotics in commercial chicken production can contribute to the development of antimicrobial resistance. We aimed to assess antibiotic usage in commercial chicken production in Bangladesh, and identify factors associated with this practice. We conducted a large-scale cross-sectional study to collect information on antibiotic usage in commercial chickens from January to May 2021. Structured interviews were conducted with 288 broiler, 288 layer and 192 Sonali (locally-produced cross-bred) farmers in 20 sub-districts across Bangladesh. The frequency of antibiotic usage, the types of antibiotics and purpose of usage were estimated for each production type. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) were calculated to measure the association between antibiotic usage and factors related to the characteristics of the farms and farmers using multivariable logistic regression models. The proportion of farms, irrespective of their production type, reporting usage of antibiotics in the 24 hours preceding the interview was 41% (n = 314, 95% CI: 37–44%). Forty-five percent (n = 344, 41–48%) reported antibiotic usage in the last 72 hours, 86% (n = 658, 83–88%) in the last 14 days, and almost all farms, 98% (n = 753, 97–99%), had used antibiotics since the start of their production cycle. Use of antibiotics in the 24 hours preceding an interview was more frequently reported in broiler (OR 1.91, 95% CI: 1.36–2.69) and Sonali (OR 1.94, 95% CI: 1.33–2.33) than layer farms. Oxytetracycline (23–31%, depending on production type), doxycycline (18–25%), ciprofloxacin (16–26%) and amoxicillin (16–44%) were the most frequently used antibiotics. Antibiotics were reported to be used for both treatment and prophylactic purposes on most farms (57–67%). Usage of antibiotics in the 24h preceding an interview was significantly associated with the occurrence of any illnesses in chickens (aOR broiler: 41.22 [95% CI:13.63–124.62], layer: aOR 36.45[9.52–139.43], Sonali: aOR 28.47[4.97–162.97]). Antibiotic usage was mainly advised by veterinary practitioners (45–71%, depending on production type), followed by feed dealers (21–40%) and farmers (7–13%). Improvement of chicken health through good farming practices along with changes in key stakeholders (feed dealers and practitioners) attitudes towards antibiotic recommendations to farmers, may help to reduce the levels of antibiotic usage and thus contribute to mitigate antimicrobial resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread rapidly from China to most other countries around the world in early 2020 killing millions of people. To prevent virus spread, world governments implemented a variety of response measures. This paper's objectives were to discuss the country's adopted measures to combat the virus through June 2020, identify gaps in the measures' effectiveness, and offer possible mitigations to those gaps. The measures taken included screening device deployment across international air and land ports, flight suspensions and closures from COVID-19 affected countries, and declaration and extension of a national public holiday (equivalent to lockdowns in other countries). Identified gaps were test kit, PPE, ICU beds, and ventilator shortages, limited public awareness, and insufficient coordination and collaboration among national and international partners. Proper and timely risk mapping, preparedness, communication, coordination, and collaboration among governments and organizations, and public awareness and engagement would have provided sufficient COVID-19 mitigation in Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We aimed at the identification of the association of comorbidities with the COVID-19 severity and hospitalization. Methods: It is a retrospective cross-sectional study to investigate the variation in age, sex, dwelling, comorbidities, and medication with the COVID-19 severity and hospitalization by enrolling 1025 recovered individuals while comparing their time of recovery with or without comorbidities. Results: COVID-19 patients mostly suffered from fever. The predominant underlying medical conditions in them were hypertension (HTN) followed by diabetes mellitus (DM). Patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) (54.3%) and hepatic disorders (HD) (43.6%) experienced higher severity. The risk of symptomatic cases was higher in aged (odds ratio, OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.02–1.06) and comorbid (OR = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.34–2.60) patients. T-test confirmed the differences between the comorbid and non-comorbid patients’ recovery duration. The presence of multiple comorbidities increased the time of recovery (15–27 days) and hospitalization (20–40%). Increased symptomatic cases were found for patients having DM+HTN whereas CVD+Asthma patients were found with higher percentage of severity. Besides, DM+CKD (chronic kidney disease) was associated with higher hospitalization rate. Higher odds of severity were found for DM+CVD (OR = 4.42, 95% CI = 1.81–10.78) patients. Hospitalization risk was also increased for them (OR = 5.14, 95% CI = 2.02–13.07). Moreover, if they had HTN along with DM+CVD, they were found with even higher odds (OR = 6.82, 95% CI = 2.37–19.58) for hospitalization. Conclusion: Our study indicates that people who are aged, females, living in urban area and have comorbid conditions are at a higher risk for developing COVID-19 severity. Clinicians and health management authorities should prioritize these high-risk groups to reduce mortality attributed to the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The emergence of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) have a significant health impact on people with direct or supportive occupations in veterinary medicine including veterinarians, animal handlers, laboratory personnel and pet owners. Objectives: This cross‐sectional survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for S. aureus, S. pseudintermedius, MRSA and MRSP in dogs in Bangladesh. Methods: A total of 358 swab samples were collected from different body sites of 150 dogs attending a university teaching veterinary hospital between January and June 2018. Standard bacteriological procedures were followed to isolate Staphylococcus, and identification was confirmed to the species level by PCR to detect the nuc gene. MRSA and MRSP were confirmed by the presence of the mecA gene. Results: The prevalence of coagulase‐positive S. aureus and S. pseudintermedius in dogs were 16% and 45.3%, respectively. S. aureus and S. pseudintermedius isolates displayed the highest resistance against nalidixic acid (95.2% and 91%, respectively) and erythromycin (89.3% and 84.7%, respectively). Notably, all the staphylococcal isolates showed resistance to ≥3 antimicrobial classes. The prevalence of MRSA and MRSP in dogs was 8.7% and 6%, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified the following variables as risk factors for MRSA colonisation in dogs: dogs with dermatitis (odds ratio [OR], 12.24, 95% CI: 3.12–57.33; p < 0.001) and history of antibiotic use (OR 8.73, 95% CI: 2.23–43.10; p < 0.001). Presence of otitis (OR 14.22; 95% CI: 1.64–103.58; p = 0.008) and oral lesions (OR 9.48, 95% CI: 1.14–64.82; p = 0.002) were identified as the significant risk factors for the carriage of MRSP. Conclusions: The circulation of multidrug‐resistant S. aureus and S. pseudintermedius is a serious concern to dogs and humans. To our knowledge, this is the first report of S. pseudintermedius and MRSP affecting dogs in Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Salmonella is frequently found in poultry of which only motile serovars have zoonotic significance due to their potential to induce human gastrointestinal infections. Antimicrobial resistance, being a public health concern, the emergence of multidrug‐resistant (MDR) Salmonella serotypes affecting food chain has greater impact worldwide. Aim: Information on circulation of zoonotic Salmonella strains in commercial poultry farm level is limited in many parts of the world. This cross‐sectional study was aimed to investigate the zoonotic Salmonella strains circulating in the broiler farm environment with their detailed antimicrobial resistance profiling. Methods: Pooled faecal samples were collected randomly from commercial broiler farms of Chattogram district, Bangladesh. Standard bacteriological procedure was followed to isolate Salmonella, and identification was confirmed by genus specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). After phenotypic characterisation of resistance profile against eight antimicrobials by disc diffusion technique, all strains were screened by PCR for some selected resistance genes. Results: Out of the 350 samples, Salmonella was isolated and identified from 86 samples. In antimicrobial sensitivity testing, more than 98.8% isolates showed resistance to ampicillin and 94.2% to tetracycline followed by enrofloxacin (56%) and ciprofloxacin (50%). Notably, 94% isolates were found to be MDR. The results of PCR assays revealed that 81.4% of the isolates were carrying the tetA gene, 19.8% the tetB and 10.47% the tetC gene. The prevalence of the isolates bearing the blaTEM, blaCTX‐M and Sul‐I gene were 95.4%, 7.0 % and 37.2 %, respectively. Conclusion: There is a great risk to secure healthy poultry products due to the circulation of these MDR zoonotic Salmonella [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is an important causal agent of food borne diseases. Although the presence of STEC has been reported in cattle, goat, and sheep in previous studies in Bangladesh, there is seemingly no information on sorbitol non-fermenting STEC (SN-F STEC) carriage in buffalo. We aimed to assess the prevalence of SN-F STEC and to identify common virulence genes in SN-F STEC strains from apparently healthy buffaloes on smallholdings in coastal area in Bangladesh. Total 308 buffaloes on smallholdings in Patenga and Anwara Upazila, Chattogram division, Bangladesh were randomly sampled by collecting a swab from the recto-anal junction of each animal. SN-F E. coli was identified based on colony morphology (colorless) yielded on Cefixime tellurite sorbitol MacConkey (CT-SMAC) agar. SN-F E. coli was detected in 33 [10.7%, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 7.7-14.7)] of the animals sampled. Among them, 12 (3.9%, 95% CI: 2.2-6.8) were STEC positive. These isolates were characterized for the presence of stx (stx1 and stx2) and common virulence genes, eae and hlyA by the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Fourteen isolates exposed only one gene, five isolates harbored two genes and two isolates carried three genes. Healthy buffaloes carry STEC, though its prevalence is comparatively lower than from cattle could pose a risk to public health reared on smallholdings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Live animal markets are known hotspots of zoonotic disease emergence. To mitigate those risks, we need to understand how networks shaped by trading practices influence disease spread. Yet, those practices are rarely recorded in high-risk settings. Through a large cross-sectional study, we assessed the potential impact of live poultry trading networks' structures on avian influenza transmission dynamics in Bangladesh. Networks promoted mixing between chickens sourced from different farming systems and geographical locations, fostering co-circulation of viral strains of diverse origins in markets. Viral transmission models suggested that the observed rise in viral prevalence from farms to markets was unlikely explained by intra-market transmission alone, but substantially influenced by transmission occurring in upstream network nodes. Disease control interventions should therefore alter the entire network structures. However, as networks differed between chicken types and city supplied, standardised interventions are unlikely to be effective, and should be tailored to local structural characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnaporthe oryzae pathotype Triticum (MoT) was shown for the first time to cause barley blast in Bangladesh after distinct partially or fully bleached heads were observed in barley fields in Jashore and Meherpur in April 2019. The fungus isolated from diseased spikes was identified as Magnaporthe oryzae based on conidial morphology. MoT was confirmed based on results of ITS sequencing and a MoT3-specific molecular marker assay. Symptoms identical to those in the field were developed on leaves and spikes inoculated with the isolate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Durum wheat (Triticum turgidum var. durum Desf.) is an important cereal crop in many regions of the world. In March of 2018 and 2019, symptoms typical of blast were frequently observed on durum wheat plants under field conditions in Jashore, Bangladesh. The putative causal pathogen was isolated from infected wheat spike specimens onto potato dextrose agar and oatmeal agar, and was identified from mono-conidium cultures as Magnaporthe oryzae, based on morphological features. The pathotype of the fungus was identified as Triticum, based on comparative molecular analyses of ITS sequences and MoT3 specific markers. BLAST analysis revealed >99.8% similarity with M. oryzae/P. oryzae, retrieved from the NCBI Genebank. This was confirmed through amplification of the predicted products with MoT3 primers in PCR analysis. Pathogenicity was confirmed by inoculating healthy durum wheat seedling leaves and spikes with a conidium suspensions of M. oryzae isolate DuBWMRI1901.2A. The fungus produced similar symptoms on inoculated leaves and spikes as those observed in the field, and was subsequently re-isolated, fulfilling Koch's postulates. This is the first report of blast of durum wheat caused by Magnaporthe oryzae pathotype Triticum in Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Quality and microbial safety of milk is demanding day by day as it is considered as a host for pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms. In this study, isolation and molecular characterization of shigatoxigenic O157 and non-O157 Escherichia coli in raw milk marketed in Chittagong, Bangladesh were done on 186 raw milk samples in Bangladesh. Methods: MacConkey agar was initially used to screen for the presence of E. coli and the suspected growth as evidenced by large pink colonies on MacConkey agar. Finally the organism was verified by plating through Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) agar (a selective medium for E. coli where it produces metallic sheen) and applying standard biochemical tests for E. coli. The presence of virulent genes, Shiga-like toxin (stx1 and stx2), Intimin (eaeA), O157 antigen rfbE and Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) Hemolysin (EHEC) hlyA in the contaminating E. coli population was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) run on a thermocycler (Applied Biosystem, 2720 thermal cycler, Singapore). Result: Among the raw milk samples, 33 samples were identified as E.coli positive and among the isolates, 6 (18.18%) were identified as possible EHEC O157 and rest of the isolates (81.82%) were considered as probable non EHEC O157. About, 3.23% (186 samples) EHEC O157 was isolated from raw milk samples. Then all the 33 isolates were taken under PCR assay for the identification of five virulent genes Stx1, Stx2, eaeA, rfbE and hlyA. No virulent genes were found in non-EHEC O157 isolates, but 4 stx2 (66.67%) and 1 hlyA (16.67%) gene were observed in another 4 EHEC O157 isolates out of 6, but one isolates contained the both genes and hence the prevalence of STEC was 2.15% in raw milk. Result indicated poor hygienic standard of raw milk from uncontrolled environments and the increased public health risk of those consuming raw milk from such uncontrolled sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the performance of different fungicides (chemical, botanical and bio-agent) against wheat blast under field conditions and to identify the best one for preventive spray. Among the fungicides evaluated, Nativo 75 WG (Tebuconazole 50% + Trifloxystrobin 25%), Amistar Top 325 SC (Azoxystrobin 20% + Difenoconazole 12.5%) and Cabrio Top 60 WG (Pyraclostrobin 5% + Metiram 55%) demonstrated the best results with least blast severity (4–8%) and the highest yield (78–88%). It was concluded that the mentioned fungicides can be used to control wheat head blast by spraying twice at 13–15 days interval starting with the heading stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to explore the demographic and socio-economic status of the people living in the Chatt ogram Hill Tract (CHT). A cross sectional survey was conducted using a structured pre-testing questionnaire in 2000 selected households of the hill tract areas. The data were collected for the demographic and socioeconomic information about the households; living conditions: safe water, sanitation and fuel use; land ownership and operation; income, expenditure and food consumption of the hilly people. It was revealed that, an average household size was 5.14 in the CHT. The percentage of male (50.7%) and female (49.7%) populations in the study areas were almost similar. The percentage of 01-15 year old people in the family was higher and the trends decreased linearly with the increases of age. The education level of people under class fi ve was higher than all other education levels. Most of the people had their own homestead land territory, which was used for crop production. Some people were using rain water for drinking purpose without purifying practices. Most of the hilly people were living below poverty level and their mean annual income (BDT 191486.00) was lower than the average income of the people living in other parts of Bangladesh. In the CHT, the average calorie intake was 1951.5 kilocalorie/person/day. The main occupations of living for the CHT people were crop agriculture, livestock, poultry and fi sheries. It was concluded that, in addition to agriculture, livestock and poultry rearing could be encouraged to uplift the hilly livelihoods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper tests whether the improvement of democratic local governance (DLG) positively impacts local economic development (LED). Based on a nationally representative citizen perception survey of 3,024 households across 56 Union Parishads (UPs) in Bangladesh, the results suggest that, although the UP governance program (UPGP) has improved the administrative governance of UPs, functional governance involving citizens remains weak. Thus, due to partial improvement of DLG, UPGP does not appear to have a significant impact on the overall local economic development and service delivery of UPs. A significant gap can be seen to exist between the claims of UPs and the perceptions of citizens around UPs' governance performance, which may result from the poor awareness building structures of the UPGP. However, our results suggest that providing training to UP officials can partially offset the shortfalls of DLG in its pursuit of LED. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Irrawaddy squirrel (Callosciurus pygerythrus) may play an important role in the transmission of zoonotic bacteria, but little is known about the carriage of zoonotic bacteria in this common frugivorous rodent in Bangladesh. We aimed to investigate the presence of common zoonotic bacterial pathogens in Irrawaddy squirrel in the southeast part of Bangladesh. A total of 27 rectal and 27 oro‐nasal swabs were collected from 27 healthy wild Irrawaddy squirrels. Four common zoonotic bacteria were isolated following routine laboratory procedures, and were identified based on colony morphology, and biochemical and staining properties. The pathogenic potential of the identified bacteria was confirmed by detection of virulence genes by PCR. All isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility test against seven antibiotics from six generic groups which are commonly used in human and veterinary medicine in Bangladesh. The prevalence of Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Yersinia spp. and Staphylococcus spp. was 44.4% (95% CI, 32.0–57.6), 13% (95% CI, 6.1–24.7), 44.4% (95% CI, 32.0–57.6), and 72.2% (95% CI, 59.0–82.5), respectively. We identified potential zoonotic virulence genes in all of these four bacterial species. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed the presence of several multidrug resistant bacterial strains in squirrels. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in Bangladesh of the detection of antibiotic resistant zoonotic bacteria in Irrawaddy squirrels. The findings underpin the role of Irrawaddy squirrel as a source of pathogenic antibiotic resistant bacteria, consequently, fruit rejected because of squirrel consumption and squirrel‐bites deserve more concern than previously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Bangladesh, anthrax, caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, is considered an endemic disease affecting ruminants with sporadic zoonotic occurrences in humans. Due to the lack of knowledge about risks from an incorrect removal of infected carcasses, the disease is not properly monitored, and because of the socio-economic conditions, the situation is under-reported and under-diagnosed. For sensitive species, anthrax represents a fatal outcome with sudden death and sometimes bleeding from natural orifices. The most common source of infection for ruminants is ingestion of spores during grazing in contaminated pastures or through grass and water contaminated with anthrax spores. Domestic cattle, sheep and goats can also become infected through contaminated bone meal (used as feed) originating from anthrax-infected carcasses. The present investigation was conducted to isolate B. anthracis organisms from 169 samples (73 soil, 1 tissue, 4 bone and 91 bone meal samples) collected from 12 different districts of Bangladesh. The sampling was carried out from 2012 to 2015. Twelve samples resulted positive for B. anthracis. Biomolecular analyses were conducted starting from the Canonical Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (CanSNP) to analyze the phylogenetic origin of strains. The analysis of genotype, obtained through the Multiple Locus Variable Number Tandem Repeat Analysis (MLVA) with the analysis of 15 Variable Number Tandem Repeats (VNTR), demonstrated four different genotypes: two of them were previously identified in the district of Sirajganj. The sub-genotyping, conducted with Single Nucleotide Repeats analysis, revealed the presence of eight subgenotypes. The data of the present study concluded that there was no observed correlation between imported cattle feed and anthrax occurrence in Bangladesh and that the remarkable genetic variations of B. anthracis were found in the soil of numerous outbreaks in this country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We investigated Salmonella enterica isolates from human clinical cases of gastroenteritis to determine the distribution of non-typhoidal Salmonella serovars in the human population, and compared them to isolates originating from poultry by serotyping, phage typing, plasmid profiling, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) to evaluate the potential role of poultry in human non-typhoidal salmonellosis in Bangladesh. Nine different serovars were identified among the human isolates of which Salmonella Paratyphi B var Java (S. Java), S. Kentucky, S. Enteritidis, S. Virchow and S. Weltevreden also were commonly isolated from poultry. The poultry isolates belonging to S. Java, S. Kentucky and S. Enteritidis were indistinguishable from human isolates or genetically closely related, based on PFGE profiles and MLST. S. Kentucky clone ST198 and S. Java clone ST43 both well-known cause of human infections were also isolated from poultry. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Colistin is a last-resort antimicrobial used for the treatment of human infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. However, colistin is still widely used in intensive poultry production in Bangladesh. We aimed to investigate the dynamics and genetic diversity of colistin-resistant commensal Escherichia coli from broiler chickens. A total of 1200 E. coli strains were characterized from 20 broiler farms at three-time points along the production period. All strains were screened for mcr-1 to mcr-5 genes by a multiplex PCR, and their genetic diversity was measured by repetitive extragenic palindromic (REP)-PCR fingerprinting. Genomic diversity and characterization were performed by whole genome sequencing (WGS). Twenty-five percent of the commensal E. coli strains harbored mcr-1 genes. Frequency of mcr-1 gene detection correlated positively (odds ratio 1.71; 95% CI 0.96–3.06; p = 0.068) with the use of colistin in poultry flocks. REP-PCR profiles and WGS analysis showed diverse E. coli population carrying multiple antimicrobial resistance genes. Phylogenetic comparison of mcr-1-bearing strains recovered from this study with a global strain collection revealed wide phylogenetic relationship. This study identified a high prevalence of mcr-1 gene among genetically diverse E. coli populations from broiler chickens in Bangladesh suggesting a massive horizontal spread of mcr-1 rather than by clonal expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article cites a study related to puffer fish poisoning in Bangladesh and the clinical profile of anticholinesterase drugs. The puffer fish is the most common fish poisoning in Bangladesh. Despite the toxic nature of the puffer fish, it remains a delicacy in the country. On the otherhand, anticholinesterase drugs have been proposed as a treatment for people affected by the poison of the puffer fish.

Aims: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) spreads not only by pathogenic but also by commensal bacteria, and the latter can become a reservoir for resistance genes. This study was aimed to investigate the AMR patterns along with the presence of mobilized colistin resistance (mcr) genes in commensal Escherichia coli circulating in chickens, farm environments, street foods, and human patients. Materials and Methods: By a cross-sectional survey, isolates obtained from 530 samples were tested for their AMR profiles against 9 antimicrobials. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the phenotypically colistin-resistant isolates was determined and screened for a set of mcr genes followed by sequencing of mcr-1 gene in the multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates. Results: A total of 313 E. coli strains were isolated and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed that about 98% (confidence interval [95% CI] 95–99) of the isolates were MDR, and 58% (95% CI 52–63) isolates exhibited resistance to colistin. MIC values of colistin against the isolates ranged from 4 to 64 mg/L. Except for human patients, 20.4% colistin-resistant isolates from other sources of isolation had mcr-1 gene. Conclusions: There is abundance of commensal MDR E. coli strains with the acquisition of mcr-1 gene circulating in chickens and farm environments in Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: The emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in commensal organism, such as Escherichia coli of food animals, is an alarming issue for global health. It increases the possibility of transmitting AMR determinant(s) to human bacterial pathogens by transferable genetic materials, particularly by plasmids. Hence, it is important to know which resistant genes are being carried by commensal organisms in food chain in a country and their level of temporal loads. As a result, pre-emptive measures can be advocated with an aim to reduce their risks in their primary source of circulation which consequently would benefit the public health. Materials and Methods: Commensal E. coli strains from broiler chickens on randomly selected 30 farms and the farm environments were examined for the frequencies of isolation of resistant strains to oxytetracycline and ciprofloxacin. Five birds were randomly selected from each farm to collect cloacal swab samples (total of 150 samples). Furthermore, a total of 150 environmental samples comprising one each from feed, water, soil, litter, and litter damping site of each farm were screened for the isolation of commensal E. coli strains. Strains thus obtained were initially tested for their resistance to oxytetracycline and ciprofloxacin by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Oxytetracycline-resistant strains were further screened for the presence of resistance determining genes, namely, tetA, tetB, and tetC by uniplex polymerase chain reactions. Risks associated with the isolation frequency of oxytetracycline- and ciprofloxacin-resistant E. coli were also assessed by univariable logistic regression analysis. Results: The results revealed that all E. coli isolates, regardless of the source of origin, were resistant to oxytetracycline, while 78.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 69.1-85.5%) showed resistance to ciprofloxacin. All the randomly selected (20) oxytetracycline-resistant strains harbored the tetA gene, whereas tetB and tetC were reported in three and two isolates, respectively. After univariable analysis, only one variable, that is, strain 1 of broiler chickens compared to two other strains was found to be positively associated with the isolation of ciprofloxacin-resistant E. coli (odds ratio 12.75 [95% CI 1.0- 157.1], p=0.047). Conclusion: Resistance emerged against oxytetracycline and ciprofloxacin in commensal E. coli strains circulating in live poultry and farm environments in Bangladesh seems to be very high. Thus, human infection with drug-resistant E. coli strains through food chain will critically compromise the therapeutic measures currently available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To investigate plasmid-borne colistin resistance mechanism (plasmid-mediated colistin resistance [mcr-1]) in Escherichia coli of human, veterinary, and environmental origin in Bangladesh. Materials and methods: A total of 810 samples were collected from different sources. Isolation and identification of E. coli was performed using classical bacteriology and then tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. Colistin-resistant isolates were further analyzed for mcr-1 gene using PCR. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using microbroth dilution technique. After sequencing of mcr-1 gene, phylogenetics was conducted to see the relationship with other mcr-1 gene sequences. Results: A total of 358 E. coli were isolated from 810 samples of humans, animals, environment, and food in Bangladesh. Of them 49 (15.9%) isolates were phenotypically resistant to colistin and 254 (70.9%) were resistant to multiple antimicrobials. mcr-1 gene was detected in three E. coli isolates of poultry source. For the three mcr-1 positive isolates the MIC of colistin sulfate was 4, 8, and 128 μg/mL. Gene sequencing of two of the three mcr-1 positive isolates and phylogenetic analysis showed close similarities of one isolate to other mcr-1 sequences available at GenBank while the other appeared to have evolved locally. Conclusion: First-ever report on circulation of mcr-1 E. coli of livestock origin in Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Bangladesh has been severely hit by highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 (HPAI-H5N1). However, little is known about the genetic diversity and the evolution of the circulating viruses in Bangladesh. In the present study, we analyzed the hemagglutinin gene of 30 Bangladeshi chicken isolates from 2007 through 2010. We analyzed the polybasic amino acid sequence motif of the cleavage site and amino acid substitution pattern. Phylogenetic history was reconstructed using neighbor-joining and Bayesian time-scaled methods. In addition, we used Mantel correlation tests to analyze the relation between genetic relatedness and spatial and temporal distances. Neighbor-joining phylogeography revealed that virus circulating in Bangladesh from 2007 through 2010 belonged to clade 2.2. The results suggest that clade 2.2 viruses are firmly entrenched and have probably become endemic in Bangladesh. We detected several amino acid substitutions, but they are not indicative of adaptation toward human infection. The Mantel correlation test confirmed significant correlation between genetic distances and temporal distances between the viruses. The Bayesian tree shows that isolates from waves 3 and 4 derived from a subgroup of isolates from the previous waves grouping with a high posterior probability (pp=1.0). This indicates the possibility of formation of local subclades. One surprising finding of spatio-temporal analysis was that genetically identical virus caused independent outbreaks over a distance of more than 200km and within 14 days of each other. This might indicate long distance dispersal through vectors such as migratory birds and vehicles, and challenges the effectiveness of movement restriction around 10km radius of an outbreak. The study indicates possible endemicity of the clade 2.2 HPAI-H5N1 virus in Bangladesh. Furthermore, the formation of a subclade capable of transmission to humans cannot be ruled out. The findings of this study might provide valuable information for future surveillance, prevention and control programme. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Poultry production is a valuable source of nutritious food and income and is considered a crucial part of global development. This is especially important for countries such as Bangladesh where levels of hunger and childhood stunting remain high. However, in many low- and middle-income countries poultry production remains dominated by small to medium scale enterprises operating with poor farm biosecurity associated with poultry and zoonotic disease risks. We aimed to characterize the structure of poultry production in Bangladesh in order to identify the underlying structural factors and resulting practices which create risk environments for emergence, persistence and transmission of infectious diseases. Using the concept of a production and distribution network (PDN), we conducted a review of the literature, 27 in-depth interviews with key-informants and stakeholders, and 20 structured interviews with poultry distributors to map the ways which poultry are raised, distributed and marketed in Bangladesh. Findings indicate that the PDN can be considered in the context of four major sub-networks, based on the types of chickens; broadly indigenous, cross-bred, exotic broiler, and layer chickens. These sub-networks do not exist in isolation; their transactional nodes - actors and sites - are dynamic and numerous interactions occur within and between the PDN. Our findings suggest that the growth in small and medium scale poultry enterprises is conducted within 'fragile' enterprises by inexperienced and poorly supported producers, many of whom lack capacity for the level of system upgrading needed to mitigate disease risk. Efforts could be taken to address the structural underlying factors identified, such as the poor bargaining power of producers and lack of access to independent credit and indemnity schemes, as a way to reduce the fragility of the PDN and increase its resilience to disease threats. This knowledge on the PDN structure and function provide the essential basis to better study the generation, mitigation and consequences of disease risks associated to livestock, including the analysis of potential hotspots for disease emergence and transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It was assumed that dietary habits might influence the status of COVID-19 patients. Aim: We aimed at the identification of association of dietary habits with the COVID-19 severity and hospitalization. Methods: It was a retrospective cross-sectional study (n = 1025). We used bivariate and multivariate analyses to correlate the association between self-reported dietary patterns and COVID-19 severity and hospitalization. Results: Dietary habits (black tea, milked tea, pickles, black caraway seeds, honey, fish, fruits, vegetables, garlic, onion and turmeric) were identified with lower risk of COVID-19 severity and hospitalization. Interestingly, the consumption frequency (one-, two- or three-times/day) of rice - the staple food in Bangladesh - was not associated with COVID-19 severity and hospitalization for comorbid patients. In contrast, a moderate rice-eating habit (two times/day) was strongly associated with the lower risk of severity and hospitalization for non-comorbid patients. However, for both comorbid and non-comorbid patients, consumption of black tea, milked tea, pickles and honey were associated with a lower likelihood of severity and hospitalization. Overall, a high consumption (three-times/day) of fish, fruits and vegetables, a moderate consumption of garlic, onion and turmeric spices and a daily intake of black/milked tea, and honey were associated with reduced risk of COVID-19 severity and hospitalization. Conclusions: To reduce the severity of COVID-19, a habitual practice of intaking black tea, milked tea, black caraway seeds and honey along with dietary habit (rice, fish and vegetables) and with a moderate consumption of ginger, garlic, onion, mixed aromatic spices (cinnamon + cardamom + cloves) and turmeric might be suggested.

Salmonella is a globally distributed major food-borne pathogen and poultry is one of the predominant sources of salmonellosis in humans. To investigate the presence of motile Salmonella in the poultry hatchery environment, we collected 97 fluff samples from four selected broiler breeder chicken hatcheries from Chattogram, Bangladesh during July-December 2015. To isolate motile Salmonella enterica, we used conventional bacteriological techniques followed by serological verification using anti-Salmonella Poly A-E serum and species confirmation by conventional PCR assay. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method for 10 commonly used antibiotics was performed on all isolates. Isolates displaying phenotypic resistance to ampicillin were tested by PCR for bla TEM gene, whereas those resistant to tetracycline were tested for the presence of tetA, tetB and tetC genes. A total of 24 samples (24.7%; 95% CI: 16.5-34.5, N = 97) from 3 hatcheries were positive for motile Salmonella. Of them, 21 (87.5%) and 12 (50.0%) were resistant to ampicillin and tetracycline, respectively, 9 (37.5%) to nalidixic acid and sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim. No resistance was detected to ceftriaxone, cefoxitin, gentamicin, neomycin, ciprofloxacin and colistin. Ten (42%) of 24 isolates from 2 hatcheries were multi-drug resistant (i.e. resistant to ≥ 3 antimicrobial classes). Six of 21 ampicillin resistant isolates contained bla TEM gene and 10 of 12 tetracycline resistant isolates contained tetA gene. This study highlights the circulation of multi-drug resistant motile Salmonella in the hatchery environment for the first time in Bangladesh. Further epidemiological and molecular studies are therefore needed to identify the serotypes and source of the bacteria in hatcheries., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Avian influenza virus (AIV) subtypes H5N1 and H9N2 co-circulate in poultry in Bangladesh, causing significant bird morbidity and mortality. Despite their importance to the poultry value chain, the role of farms in spreading and maintaining AIV infections remains poorly understood in most disease-endemic settings. To address this crucial gap, we conducted a cross-sectional study between 2017 and 2019 in the Chattogram Division of Bangladesh in clinically affected and dead chickens in farms with suspected AIV infection. Viral prevalence of each subtype was approximately 10% among farms for which veterinary advice was sought, indicating high levels of virus circulation in chicken farms despite the low number of reported outbreaks. Co-circulation of both subtypes was common in farms, with our findings suggest that in the field, the co-circulation of H5N1 and H9N2 can modulate disease severity, which could facilitate an underestimated level of AIV transmission in the poultry value chain. Finally, using newly generated whole-genome sequences, we investigate the evolutionary history of a small subset of H5N1 and H9N2 viruses. Our analyses revealed that for both subtypes, the sampled viruses were genetically most closely related to other viruses isolated in Bangladesh and represented multiple independent incursions. However, due to lack of longitudinal surveillance in this region, it is difficult to ascertain whether these viruses emerged from endemic strains circulating in Bangladesh or from neighbouring countries. We also show that amino acids at putative antigenic residues underwent a distinct replacement during 2012 which coincides with the use of H5N1 vaccines.