Bacteriological assessments of foodborne pathogens in poultry meat at different super shops in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Poultry is now considered as a major fast-growing source of meat in the world. The consumers demand safe and hygienic products without contamination with pathogenic microorganisms when the production and consumption of poultry meat is gradually increasing. The present study was conducted to assess the bacterial contamination of dressed chicken collected from different supershops in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The chicken samples from S1, S2, M1, M2 and A supershops were analyzed to determine the enteropathogenic bacteria in poultry meat. Three genera of bacteria were isolated from all of the chicken meat samples. These enteropathogens from various organs of dressing chickens were also enumerated. The isolates were presumptively identified as E. coli, Salmonella spp., and Shigella spp. by conventional culture method. The three enteropathogens were subjected to PCR assay for their confirmation as virulent enteropathogens. Only E. coli isolates were confirmed as pathogenic E. coli (Enterotoxigenic), other isolates were not confirmed as virulent Salmonella spp., Shigella spp.. Results of this study demonstrated that more cautions are recommended for personnel hygiene in processing and handling of poultry and poultry products to prevent occurrence of enterotoxigenic E. coli in dressed poultry meat sold by the supershops in Bangladesh

Colistin-resistant Escherichia coli carrying mcr-1 in food, water, hand rinse, and healthy human gut in Bangladesh.

BackgroundOne of the most significant public health concerns in today's world is the persistent upsurge of infections caused by multidrug resistant bacteria. As a result, clinicians are being forced to intervene with either less effective backup drugs or ones with substantial side-effects. Colistin is a last resort antimicrobial agent for the treatment of infections caused by multi-drug resistant gram-negative bacteria.MethodsEscherichia coli (n = 65) isolated from street food (n = 20), hand rinse (n = 15), surface water (n = 10), and healthy human stool (n = 20) were tested for colistin resistance gene mcr-1 and response to antimicrobial agents. Antimicrobial resistance genes and virulence genes were detected by employing polymerase chain reaction. DNA fingerprinting of the strains were determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.ResultsScreening of E. coli allowed us to confirm colistin resistance marker gene mcr-1 in 13 strains (street food, n = 4; hand rinse, n = 2; surface water, n = 4; and stool, n = 3); and two of these E. coli strains carrying mcr-1 harbored bla TEM gene encoding extended spectrum beta lactamase. Antibiotic assay results revealed all 13 E. coli strains carrying mcr-1 to be multi-drug resistant (MDR), including to colistin. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for colistin ranged from 2 to 6 μg/ml. DNA sequencing confirmed homogeneity of the nucleotide sequence for mcr-1, but the E. coli strains were heterogenous, as confirmed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis suggesting horizontal transmission of colistin resistance in Bangladesh.ConclusionWidespread dissemination of E. coli strains carrying mcr-1 encoding resistance to colistin in the present study is alarming as this is the last resort drug for the treatment of infections caused by MDR gram-negative bacteria resistant to almost all drugs used commonly

Gut microbiota shifts favorably with delivery of handwashing with soap and water treatment intervention in a prospective cohort (CHoBI7 trial)

Abstract Background Cholera can result in the expulsion of important microbiota from the gut and result in death if left untreated. The disease transmits mainly via drinking water carrying Vibrio cholerae; and household contacts (HHC) of cholera patients are at elevated risk during the first week of infection. The gut microbiota profiles of HHC-children of cholera patients at Dhaka city slums were investigated before (day 0) and after (day 8) delivery of chlorinated water as part of the major study ‘CHoBI7 trial (cholera-hospital-based intervention for 7 days)’. Result Results of sequencing and analysis of bacterial community DNA revealed the predominance of two bacterial phyla: Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes at day 0 with a relative abundance of 62 ± 6 (mean ± SEM%) and 32 ± 7, respectively. The pattern reversed at day 8 with a decreased relative abundance of Bacteroidetes (39 ± 12; p = 0.034) and an increased abundance of Firmicutes (49 ± 12; p = 0.057). Of 65 bacterial families confirmed at day 0, six belonging to Proteobacteria including Vibrionaceae disappeared at day 8. Interestingly, the relative abundance of four Firmicutes families—Lachnospiraceae, Bifidobacteriaceae, Clostridiaceae, and Ruminococcaceae was increased in all five study children at day 8. Conclusion The observed exclusion of pathogenic Proteobacteria and enhancement of beneficial Firmicutes in the gut of children delivered with chlorinated water as part of WASH intervention reflect a great promise of the CHoBI7 program in preventing cholera and improving child health