Knowledge and practices of dairy farmers relating to brucellosis in urban, peri-urban and rural areas of Assam and Bihar, India

Background: Brucellosis is one of the most common zoonotic diseases in the world. This study aimed at assessing farmers’ knowledge about brucellosis as well as practices relevant to transmission of brucellosis and their associated determinants. Results: Few farmers knew about brucellosis (3.4%, n = 18) and its zoonotic importance (0.8%, n = 4). Knowledge about brucellosis was higher for farmers with a larger herd size (p < 0.001) and fully using a stall-fed system (p < 0.001). Training on dairy cattle management (p < 0.001), training on animal disease (p < 0.01), consultation with veterinarians (p < 0.001) and farms being in urban areas (p < 0.01) were also significantly positively associated with knowledge about brucellosis. No significant association was observed between farmers’ knowledge about brucellosis and state, family size, education, age or gender of the farmers. Farmers knowledge about brucellosis was significantly associated with certain practices that include use of disinfectant while cleaning farms (p < 0.05), animal movement (p < 0.01), introduction of new animals (p < 0.05) and raw milk consumption (p < 0.05). The study did not find any association between knowledge about brucellosis and method of disposal of aborted materials, personal hygiene and quarantine practices. Conclusion: More interaction with veterinarians and training on animal management may be an important tool for generating awareness among the farming community for reducing transmission of the disease

Prevalence of extended spectrum β-lactamase, AmpC β-lactamase and metallo β-lactamase mediated resistance in Escherichia coli from diagnostic and tertiary healthcare centers in south Bangalore, India

Background: The increasing reports on multidrug resistant Escherichia coli has become a potential threat to global health. Here, we present a cross-sectional study to characterize extended spectrum β-lactamase, AmpC β-lactamase and metallo β-lactamase producing E. coli isolated from different human clinical samples.Methods: A total of 300 clinical Gram negative bacterial isolates were collected and re-characterized for the identification of E. coli following standard microbiological techniques. The antimicrobial susceptibility of E. coli isolates was initially screened by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion and MIC methods. The resistant isolates were confirmed to be ESBL, AmpC and MBL producers by their respective phenotypic confirmatory tests of combined disc method.Results: We identified 203 (68%) E. coli and 97 (32%) Non-E. coli isolates. The highest recovery of E. coli was from urine samples 72 (35%). Combined disc method using ceftazidime/ceftazidime+clavulanic acid and cefotaxime/cefotaxime+clavulanic acid confirmed 156 (79%) and 144 (73%) E. coli as ESBL producers, respectively. Thirty-four (34%) and 16 (27%) resistant E. coli isolates were confirmed to be AmpC and MBL producers, likewise.Conclusions: Increased prevalence of ESBL, AmpC and MBL producing E. coli were observed. Beta-lactamase mediated resistance appears to be prime mechanism in the multidrug resistant E. coli. Thus, early detection of beta lactamase producing E. coli is necessary to avoid treatment failure and prevent the spread of MDR

Understanding Antibiotic Usage on Small-Scale Dairy Farms in the Indian States of Assam and Haryana Using a Mixed-Methods Approach-Outcomes and Challenges

The use and misuse of antibiotics in both humans and animals contributes to the global emergence of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacteria, a threat to public health and infection control. Currently, India is the world's leading milk producer but antibiotic usage within the dairy sector is poorly regulated. Little data exists reflecting how antibiotics are used on dairy farms, especially on small-scale dairy farms in India. To address this lack of data, a study was carried out on 491 small-scale dairy farms in two Indian states, Assam and Haryana, using a mixed method approach where farmers were interviewed, farms inspected for the presence of antibiotics and milk samples taken to determine antibiotic usage. Usage of antibiotics on farms appeared low only 10% (95% CI 8-13%) of farmers surveyed confirmed using antibiotics in their dairy herds during the last 12 months. Of the farms surveyed, only 8% (6-11%) had milk samples positive for antibiotic residues, namely from the novobiocin, macrolides, and sulphonamide classes of antibiotics. Of the farmers surveyed, only 2% (0.8-3%) had heard of the term "withdrawal period" and 53% (40-65%) failed to describe the term "antibiotic". While this study clearly highlights a lack of understanding of antibiotics among small-scale dairy farmers, a potential factor in the emergence of AMR bacteria, it also shows that antibiotic usage on these farms is low and that the possible role these farmers play in AMR emergence may be overestimated

Leptospira interrogans Serovar Hardjo Seroprevalence and Farming Practices on Small-Scale Dairy Farms in North Eastern India; Insights Gained from a Cross-Sectional Study

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease of major public health concern in India. Bovines play an important role in maintaining and transmitting this disease and proximity between dairy cows and humans makes the dairy cow-human nexus a transmission route of public health interest, yet one currently under-examined in North Eastern India. We report a cross-sectional survey carried out on small-scale dairy farms in the states of Assam and Bihar in North Eastern India investigating seroprevalence for Leptospira interrogans serovar Hardjo, the most common pathogenic serovar reported in cattle worldwide. Higher seroprevalence was reported on dairy farms in Bihar 4.5% (95% CI 2.6–7.5%) than in Assam 1.2% (95% CI 0.42–3.6%), but overall seroprevalence levels were low. The study is the first indication of leptospirosis circulating in small-scale dairy farms in these states. To correlate farming practices with zoonotic risk, we combined results from a dairy farmer questionnaire with cow seroprevalence. However, low seroprevalence levels found in this study made the identification of risk factors difficult. Nevertheless, poor farming practices around hygiene and biosecurity on dairy farms have been highlighted. Implementing simple measures could mitigate environmental contamination, and therefore, reduce the risk of Leptospira interrogans, and other zoonoses transmission, at the animal-environment-human interface

Evaluation of an In-house Indirect ELISA for Differential Detection of IgM and IgG anti-Brucella Antibodies in Human Brucellosis

Brucellosis caused by various species of the genus Brucella is one of the most important zoonotic diseases of global importance with veterinary, public health, and economic concerns. The study aimed to standardize IgM and IgG-based iELISA to detect anti-Brucella antibodies for serodiagnosis of acute and chronic human brucellosis. The test was standardized using 1:320 dilution of smooth lipopolysaccharide (sLPS) antigen from B. abortus S99 strain, 1:80 serum dilution, 1:4000 anti-human IgM and IgG conjugates, respectively for both IgM and IgG iELISA. The cut-off using 50 each brucellosis positive and negative human sera panel samples was set at ≥ 42 for both IgM and IgG iELISA. A total of 700 human sera samples were evaluated (137 veterinary doctors, 157 artificial inseminators, and 406 veterinary assistants). Overall, the study detected 8.3%, 8.1%, 8%, and 6.1% positivity by in-house IgG iELISA, RBPT, IgM iELISA, and SAT tests, respectively. Considering commercial iELISA kit as a gold standard, the sensitivities of IgM and IgG iELISA were 90% and 97.9%, respectively, whereas, specificities were >99%. The study established >98% specificity and >90% sensitivity for differential detection of immunoglobulin classes in the standardized iELISA. The developed assay outperformed the other evaluated tests with a shorter assay time and can be implemented in both endemic and non-endemic regions for surveillance and diagnosis of human brucellosis

Management of bovine brucellosis in organized dairy herds through the identification of risk factors: A cross-sectional study from Karnataka, India

Background and Aim: Brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by Brucella species. This study aimed to identify the risk factors associated with bovine brucellosis seropositivity in organized dairy farms to control the disease in unvaccinated adult bovine herds in Karnataka, India. Materials and Methods: In total, 3610 samples (3221 cattle and 389 buffaloes) were subjected to parallel testing using the Rose Bengal plate test and protein G-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, followed by analyses of animal- and farm-level epidemiological datasets to identify the risk factors. Results: The apparent brucellosis prevalence at the animal level was higher in buffaloes (8.2%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 5.9–11.4) than in cattle (6.1%, 95% CI = 5.3–7.0). In a multivariable logistic model, animals calved 3–5 times (odds ratio [OR] = 2.22, 95% CI = 1.50–3.1, reference [ref]: animals calved <2 times); animals with a history of abortion (OR = 54.73, 95% CI = 33.66–89.02), repeat breeding (OR = 19.46, 95% CI = 11.72–32.25), and placental retention (OR = 13.94, 95% CI = 4.92–39.42, ref: no clinical signs); and dogs on farms (OR = 2.55, 95% CI = 1.48–4.40, ref: absence of dogs); disposal of aborted fetus in open fields (OR = 4.97, 95% CI = 1.93–12.84) and water bodies (OR = 2.22, 95% CI = 1.50–3.1, ref: buried); purchase of animals from other farms (OR = 6.46, 95% CI = 1.01–41.67, ref: government farms); hand milking (OR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.02–10.0, ref: machine milking); and use of monthly veterinary services (OR = 3.45, 95% CI = 1.28–9.29, ref: weekly services) were considered significant risk factors for brucellosis in organized bovine herds (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The study identified that the animals calved 3–5 times or with a history of abortion/repeat breeding/placental retention, and disposal of aborted fetus in open fields/water bodies as the potential risk factors for bovine brucellosis. These risk factors should be controlled through the implementation of best practices to reduce the brucellosis burden in bovine farms

Molecular Characterization of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococci from the Dairy Value Chain in Two Indian States

Bovine milk and milk products may contain pathogens, antimicrobial resistant bacteria, and antibiotic residues that could harm consumers. We analyzed 282 gram-positive isolates from milk samples from dairy farmers and vendors in Haryana and Assam, India, to assess the prevalence of methicillin-resistant staphylococci using microbiological tests, antibiotic susceptibility testing, and genotyping by PCR. The prevalence of genotypic methicillin resistance in isolates from raw milk samples was 5% [95% confidence interval, CI (3–8)], with 7% [CI (3–10)] in Haryana, in contrast to 2% [CI (0.2–6)] in Assam. The prevalence was the same in isolates from milk samples collected from farmers [5% (n = 6), CI (2–11)] and vendors [5% (n = 7), CI (2–10)]. Methicillin resistance was also observed in 15% of the isolates from pasteurized milk [(n = 3), CI (3–38)]. Two staphylococci harboring a novel mecC gene were identified for the first time in Indian dairy products. The only SCCmec type identified was Type V. The staphylococci with the mecA (n = 11) gene in raw milk were commonly resistant to oxacillin [92%, CI (59–100)] and cefoxitin [74%, CI (39–94)], while the isolates with mecC (n = 2) were resistant to oxacillin (100%) only. All the staphylococci with the mecA (n = 3) gene in pasteurized milk were resistant to both oxacillin and cefoxitin. Our results provided evidence that methicillin-resistant staphylococci occur in dairy products in India with potential public health implications. The state with more intensive dairy systems (Haryana) had higher levels of methicillin-resistant bacteria in milk

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183-184Bacterial strains from mangroves of Andamans were assayed for L-asparaginase enzyme. One hundred and eight (54%), of total 200, isolates synthesized L–asparaginase, growing at pH 7.2 and 37°C temperature. Only two gram negative strains appeared to be potent for large-scale production

Epidemiological studies of Bovine Brucellosis in rural villages of Mandya District Karnataka, India

Bovine Brucellosis is one of the devastating zoonotic diseases that affects the multiple livestock species and causes great economic losses. Therefore, appropriate detection and characterization of brucella species in farm animals to control the spread of infection, and obtain epidemiological data for planning disease control strategies are required. The present study was conducted to estimate the bovine brucellosis prevalence and possible risk factors associated with it in different villages of Mandya District, Karnataka. Blood and Milk samples collected from 210 animals of different villages of Mandya District Karnataka, were examined by the Rose bengal test (RBT) and Milk ring test(MRT).The overall seropositivity was 4.3 % for RBT and 3.3 % for MRT. The seropositive samples were further validated by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and differentiation by Bruce ladder PCR. The prevalence of bovine brucellosis by Polymerase chain reaction was found to be 4.3 %. Bruce ladder polymerase chain reaction showed that the isolated samples are Brucella abortus. This study indicated an urgent need of policy for prevention and control of brucellosis in dairy animals

Bacterial flora in mangroves of Andaman – Part-I : Isolation, identification and antibiogram studies

97-98Bacterial flora of mangrove litter fall and underneath sediments froIn South Andaman was investigated. Thirtyeight bacterial isolates were obtained from Rhizophora, Avicennia and Nypa species inhabited areas. The cultural, morphological and biochemical features revealed that most of the isolates belong to Bacillus spp (50%). In addition Aeromonas, Vibrio, Escherichia, Enterobacter, Corynaebacterium, Kurthia, Staphyllococcus, Micrococcus, and Listeria were also present. Most isolates were gram positive (76.3%), motile (87%) and fermentative bacteria ranged from 6.9% for dulcitol to 82.1% for dextrose. Thirty per cent isolates were pigment producer (either diffusible or cell associated). The bacterial isolates showed a minimum of 50% resistance against chloramphenicol and a maximum of 100% resistance against polymixin B