Veterinary Research Forum

Abstract This study focuses on understanding how the sensitivity patterns of common probiotic Lactobacillus species differ between healthy and colibacillosis-diseased broiler chickens and explores any correlation between these patterns and avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC). Ileum samples were collected from the healthy (n = 10) and colibacillosis-diseased (n = 10) broiler poultry farms. Lactobacillus and E. coli were identified and incidence rate of six probiotic Lactobacillus species (L. acidophilus, L. brevis, L. casei, L. plantrum, L. delbrueckii, and L. fermenti) was determined, and their susceptibility to different antibiotics (ampicillin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, kanamycin, tetracycline, and vancomycin) was tested. A total of 120 Lactobacilli were examined. Certain Lactobacillus spp. from healthy birds (L. brevis) and those affected by colibacillosis (L. acidophilus) showed better sensitivity and lower multiple antibiotic resistance to chloramphenicol, erythromycin, and kanamycin. Statistical analysis revealed significant correlations between ampicillin and chloramphenicol, ampicillin and erythromycin, ampicillin and tetracycline, and ampicillin and vancomycin resistance. Also, a significant correlation was observed between erythromycin and tetracycline, and kanamycin and vancomycin. All APEC strains showed multiple antibiotic resistance. A strong positive correlation was found between resistant Lactobacillus spp. and APEC isolates from diseased birds, indicating co-occurrence of antibiotic resistance. The study suggests that antibiotic resistance in APEC and Lactobacillus species may spread through horizontal transfer, highlighting the need for improved anti-microbial management in poultry systems.

Abstract The over-use of anti-parasitic compounds as a method of control has led to insufficient effectiveness and widespread drug resistance worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of albendazole and levamisole as anti-parasitic agents in a lung worm control program in goat flocks. During 2021 and 2022, a total of 110 goats (age of four months and above) were randomly selected from 11 herds in the north-western region of Iran including Saanen breed (both sexes of the same age). The results indicated that 3.60, 50.80 and 41.90% were respectively infected with Dictyocaulus filaria, Muellerius capillaris and Proto-strongylus rufescens, and generally all the lung parasites in goats of this region were resistant to albendazole and levamisole. Due to clinical importance of D. filaria in goats, the molecular analysis of two samples was also done. Sequencing results showed that the identified parasites were 100% similar to the reference sequences registered in the GenBank^®. The results of this research showed low level of these anthelmintics efficacy against Dictyocaulus and Muellerius. Generally, the lung parasites in goats of this region are resistant to albendazole and levamisole. The P. rufescens showed high resistance to these drugs. Totally, it can be concluded that the level of drug resistance varies in different parts of the world; but, the frequencies of drug resistance in different parts of the world are not the same, requiring more studies.

Abstract Mastitis associated Klebsiella pneumoniae species were isolated from bovine milk to characterize virulence genes (wabG and kfuBC) and extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) genes (bla_CTX-M-1, bla_CTX-M-2, bla_CTX-M-9, bla_TEM, bla_SHV and bla_OXA). A total number of 325 bovine milk samples (195 raw and 130 mastitic milk specimens) collected from Banaskantha, a milk-shed district of Gujarat, India, were included in the study. A total number of 27 K. pneumoniae isolates were recovered, consisting of 17 (62.96%) isolates from raw milk and 10 (37.03%) isolates from mastitic milk samples, giving an overall prevalence of 8.31%. Antibiotic sensitivity patterns revealed that 20 out of 27 isolates were found to be multi-drug resistant. Based on combination disc diffusion test and HiCrome ESBL agar method, 20 (74.07%) and 25 (92.59%) isolates were detected as ESBL producers, respectively. Among virulence genes studied, presence of wabG (25/27; 92.59%) was higher than kfuBC (5/27; 18.51%). Beta-lactamase genes viz., bla_SHV, bla_TEM and bla_CTX-M-1 were detected in 23/27 (85.18%), 3/27 (11.11%) and 2/27 (7.40%) of isolates, respectively; while, none of the isolates was found to be positive for bla_CTX-M-9 and bla_OXA-1 genes. Outcome of the study provided an insight into virulence genes and ESBL producing K. pneumoniae isolated from bovine milk samples in India.