Isolation and characterization of bacteria residing in the oral, gut, and fecal samples of different pheasant species

There is a paucity of research conducted on microbial prevalence in pheasants. The microbiota of captive birds has zoonotic significance and must be characterize. Present study is therefore planned to assess the microbiota from oral, fecal and gut content of captive avian species. It will be helpful in characterization of harmful microbes. Different samples taken from oral, gut and feces of ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus), green pheasants (Phasianus versicolor), golden pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus) and silver pheasant (Lophura nycthemera). Samples were collected, diluted, and inoculated onto different agar plates (MacConkey, SS agar, MSA and nutrient agar) for cultivation of bacterial species. Colonies of E.coli, Staphylococcus spp. Brachyspira spp. and Campylobacter spp were observed based on colony morphology. Colony forming unit showed E. coli as frequently found bacteria in fecal, oral and gut contents of all the above pheasants. The overall significance difference was found among bacterial species of golden pheasants, green pheasant, ring-necked pheasant, and silver pheasants. It was concluded that E.coli is predominant isolated from heathy pheasants followed by Campylobacter, Staphylococcus and Brachyspira.

Comparative bacteriological analysis of frozen and fresh chicken meats sold around old site Bayero University Kano

Foodborne pathogens are serious public healthproblems that greatly affect the cost of food production and healthcare while poultry are often associated with foodborne disease outbreaks. This study aimed at investigating the occurrence and distribution of bacterial pathogens associated with chicken meats sold around Bayero University, Kano old site. A total of twenty (20) meat samples comprised of 10 frozen and ten freshly slaughtered chicken were purchased from different selling outlets around the study area. The samples were processed using standard cultural and biochemical procedures. The results of the study showed the mean aerobic mesophilic bacterial count of 5.93 x 106 CFU/g and 3.12 x 106 CFU/g for frozen and freshly slaughtered chicken meat samples respectively. The coliform counts were 420.1 and 347.7 CFU/100g for frozen and freshly slaughtered chicken meat samples respectively. The distribution of different bacterial species revealed E. coli (26.0%), Klebsiella spp (4.0%), Salmonella spp (19.5%), Campylobacter spp. (14.6%) and Staphylococcus aureus (30%) in frozen chicken meat samples while freshly slaughtered chicken meat samples revealed E. coli (21.0%), Klebsiella spp (8.9%), Salmonella spp (30%), Campylobacter spp. (15.0%) and Staphylococcus aureus (24.0%). This showed that frozen chicken meats were more contaminated than freshly slaughtered chicken meats which might be associated with poor handling and storage conditions.

Differences in Genotype and Antimicrobial Resistance between Campylobacter spp. Isolated from Organic and Conventionally Produced Chickens in Sweden

Antibiotic resistance is a major challenge worldwide and increased resistance to quinolones in Campylobacter is being reported. Analysis of antibiotic resistance was performed on 157 Campylobacter strains (123 C. jejuni and 34 C. coli) from conventional and organic chickens produced in Sweden. Susceptibility for tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, nalidixic acid, streptomycin, and gentamycin was determined by microdilution. All 77 isolates from organic chickens were sensitive to all antibiotics, except two C. jejuni that were resistant to tetracycline. Of the 80 isolates from conventional chickens, 22.5% of C. jejuni and 11.1% of C. coli were resistant to quinolones and 5.6% of C. jejuni were resistant to tetracycline. Whole-genome sequencing resulted in 50 different sequence types of C. jejuni and six of C. coli. Nine sequence types were found in both organic and conventional chickens. Two of these (ST-19 and ST-257) included isolates from conventional broilers with different resistance phenotypes to the remaining isolates from conventional and organic broilers. There are management differences between the production systems, such as feed, breed, use of coccidiostats, and access to outdoor area. It is unlikely that quinolone resistance has arisen due to use of antimicrobials, since fluoroquinolones are not permitted in Swedish broiler production.

Occurrence of Campylobacter spp. in duck and associated environmental samples in Thrissur district.

Campylobacteriosis caused by Campylobacter spp. is considered as the most common cause of bacterial diarrhoea in humans across the globe. The current research was undertaken to assess the occurrence of Campylobacter spp. in duck and the associated environmental samples. Among 220 samples analysed, 7.73 per cent samples revealed the presence of Campylobacter spp. Majority of the samples contained C. coli (4.55 per cent) and C. jejuni was detected in 3.18 per cent of the samples. The present study revealed a high occurrence of Campylobacter spp. in duck rearing facilities in Thrissur district, Kerala. As the demand for duck products is increasing every year, the risk of contamination by Campylobacter spp. has to be viewed seriously. The study revealed the importance of multifaceted one health approach including human medicine, veterinary medicine, epidemiology, environmental hygiene, public health institutes and epidemiological surveillance agencies to control food-borne diseases and up-gradation of biosecurity measures.

ISOLATION METHODS FOR MOLECULAR DETECTION AND ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE PATTERN OF CAMPYLOBACTER SPP IN LAYER CHICKENS

This study was conducted to compare two culture methods for the isolation of Campylobacter spp from commercial layer chickens and subsequently confirmed by Polymerase Chain Reaction assays (PCR). Furthermore, the antimicrobial resistance profiles of PCR positive Campylobacter isolates were determined.Cloacal swab samples (550) from chickens randomly selected from five poultry farms in the four geographical zones in Ogun State were cultured for Campylobacter using modified charcoal Cefoperazone deoxycholate agar (MCCDA) and an improved culture method involving Preston broth pre-enrichment and subsequent subculture on Mueller Hinton agar with Campylobacter growth supplements. Putative isolates were later confirmed by PCR assay and sequencing analysis.Other isolates that grew on MCCDA and confirmed by sequencing analysis are Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichis coli, Comamonas kerstli and Pseudomonas aeroginusa . The antibiotic resistant profile of all the isolates were evaluated genotypically for resistance genes to tetracyclines (tetO), multiclasses (cmeB), aminoglycosides (aphA-3-1) and β-lactams (Blaoxa-61) using multiplex PCR (mPCR), and phenotypically for chlortetracycline, tylosin, streptomycin, ciprofloxacin and erythromycin resistance by microbroth dilution method which correspond to the antibiotic resistance genes. The apparent prevalence of Campylobacter was 16.8% by MCCDA while none of the isolates was positive to PCR. Meanwhile, prevalence rate of 26% was obtained using Preston broth pre-enrichment and Mueller Hinton agar with Campylobacter growth supplements, of which 11/50 (22%) of the isolates was confirmed positive by PCR. Genotypic characterization of PCR positive isolates showed 10/11(90%) were C. coli, 1/11(10%) other Campylobacter species and 0% C. jejuni. All the isolates carried both tetO and cmeB resistant genes. The results of minimum inhibitory concentration presented all PCR positive isolates had resistance of 10/10(100%), 9/10(90%), 6/10(60%), 9/10(90%), and 8/10(80%) to tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, spectinomycin and tylosin respectively. In addition, all isolates carried multiple resistance to most antibiotics tested which are commonly used in poultry practice in Nigeria. Campylobacter spp in the study areas showed diverse genotypic characteristics, and gene mediated multidrug resistance.

Campylobacter fetus subspecies venerealis meningitis associated with a companion dog in a young adult: a case report

Background Campylobacter spp., common commensals in the gastrointestinal tract of animals, especially poultry, can cause acute gastrointestinal illness in humans through animal-to-human transmission. Although Campylobacter fetus, especially subspecies fetus, rarely leads to systemic infections such as bacteremia in immunocompromised patients, it is unclear whether Campylobacter fetus subspecies venerealis (Cfv) causes infectious diseases in humans. Case presentation A 28-year-old man with a history of chronic alcoholism visited the emergency department with weakness of the left extremities. The patient was clinically diagnosed with community-acquired bacterial meningitis. The organism from the blood culture was subsequently identified as Campylobacter fetus. On phylogenetic analysis, the 16S rRNA sequence showed 99.93% similarity with other Cfv 16S rRNA sequences. The patient had no exposure to identifiable sources except for close contact with a companion dog, which could have been a possible source of transmission. Conclusions This case suggests that Cfv could lead to human systemic infections such as meningitis and that companion animals, in addition to well-known animal hosts, could be sources of transmission.

Prevalence and Characterization of Quinolone Resistance in Campylobacter spp. Isolates in Chicken Livers from Retail Stores in Georgia, USA

Campylobacter is the leading bacterial pathogen that causes human foodborne illnesses worldwide and outbreaks have been associated with consumption of under-cooked chicken livers. The objectives of this study were to compare two PCR assays for speciation of 250 Campylobacter isolates, to assess antibiotic resistance of the isolates, and to analyze genetic diversity of the quinolone resistance determining regions (QRDR) of the isolates. Speciation was performed in a double-blind manner, and results showed that 181 (72%) isolates were identified as Campylobacter jejuni and 69 (28%) isolates were identified as Campylobacter coli by both PCR assays. A total of 93 (37.2%) isolates were determined to be resistant to at least one antibiotic. Among 88 C. jejuni isolates, 33 isolates (18%) were resistant to nalidixic acid (NAL) and ciprofloxacin (CIP), followed by 25 (14%) isolates resistant to tetracycline (TET) and 18 (10%) isolates resistant to NAL and TET. Two isolates were resistant to four antibiotics tested. One isolate was resistant to five antibiotics tested. For C. coli, two isolates were resistant to TET, and two were resistant to NAL, CIP and TET. The amino acid sequences of the QRDR regions among the isolates revealed eight point mutations and could be classified into 12 groups. Thirty-eight C. jejuni isolates resistant to NAL and CIP had a point mutation at residue 86 (Thr to Ile substitution). However, six isolates without the substitution at the same position were resistant to NAL and/or CIP. In addition, 10 isolates with a point mutation at residue 86 were susceptible to NAL and CIP. This observation suggests that besides the substitution at 86, other mechanisms may confer resistance to quinolones. Further studies are needed to elucidate mechanisms for quinolone resistance in Campylobacter. Based on our results, the Campylobacter spp. isolated from chicken livers were found to be resistant to the quinolones and other classes of antibiotics.

Demographic, Husbandry, and Biosecurity Factors Associated with the Presence of Campylobacter spp. in Small Poultry Flocks in Ontario, Canada

This study is part of a 2 year disease surveillance project conducted to establish the prevalence of poultry and zoonotic pathogens, including Campylobacter spp., among small poultry flocks in Ontario, Canada. For each post-mortem submission to the Animal Health Laboratory, a pooled sample of cecal tissue was cultured for Campylobacter spp., and a husbandry and biosecurity questionnaire was completed by the flock owner (n = 153). Using both laboratory and questionnaire data, our objective was to investigate demographic, husbandry, and biosecurity factors associated with the presence of Campylobacter spp. in small flocks. Two multivariable logistic regression models were built. In the farm model, the odds of Campylobacter spp. were higher in turkeys, and when birds were housed in a mixed group with different species and/or types of birds. The odds were lower when antibiotics were used within the last 12 months, and when birds had at least some free-range access. The effect of pest control depended on the number of birds at risk. In the coop model, the odds of Campylobacter spp. were lower when owners wore dedicated clothing when entering the coop. These results can be used to limit the transmission of Campylobacter spp. from small poultry flocks to humans.