Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the prevalence and characterization of Staphylococcus aureus from chicken and quail eggshells and to study the antibiogram of the isolates. Materials and methods: A total of 300 eggs (220 chicken eggs and 80 quail eggs) were collected from different retail shops and farms in Mymensingh district. Swabs taken from the egg surfaces were cultured on Mannitol Salt Agar for the isolation of S. aureus . Polymerase chain reaction was conducted for confirmatory identification of the bacterial species targeting nuc gene, followed by confirmation of methicillin-resistant S. aureus by targeting the mecA gene. Antibiotic sensitivity test of the isolated bacteria was done against commonly used antibiotics by the disk diffusion method. Results: The prevalence of Staphylococcus spp. and S. aureus in the chicken eggshell surface was 20.45% and 10.45%, respectively. Similarly, the prevalence of Staphylococcus spp. and S. aureus in quail eggshell surface was 16.25% and 5%, respectively. Overall, 27 isolates were identified as S. aureus , of which 23 were from the chicken eggshell surface and four from quail eggshell surface. Among the seven isolates tested, overall four (57.14%) were positive for the nuc gene. On the other hand, the mecA gene could be detected in three (50%) S. aureus out of six oxacillin resistant isolates. The antibiogram study indicated that most of the isolates were resistant to the antibiotics under β-lactam group. Conclusion: The present study concludes that chicken and quail egg surface harbor multidrug-resistant bacteria which may cause public health hazards, if these antibiotic-resistant bacteria are transferred to a human.

This study was designed to isolate and characterize the Staphylococcus aureus from raw cow's milk and some other dairy products sold in the local markets of Mymensingh district of Bangladesh by using conventional methods and molecular techniques. Raw cow's milk, pasteurized milk, yogurt, roshmalai, cheese, lassi, matha, milk-shake, custard, faluda, pudding and borhani sampled from different retail shops and renowned restaurants of the local markets of Mymensingh. Out of 72 samples tested, all the samples revealed presence of Staphylococcus spp. and 57 isolates found coagulase positive S. aureus. The antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of the 57 pathogenic isolates was determined by using 10 commercially available antimicrobial drugs by disk diffusion assay. It exposed that majority of the isolates (79.16%) showed resistant to more than three antimicrobial agents. Among 57 isolates, 14 (24.56%) showed resistance against both methicillin and oxacillin, also intermediately resistant against vancomycin. Molecular detection of mecA and mecC gene in the 14 methicillin and oxacillin resistant isolates for the identification of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains revealed 8 isolates (57%) from raw milk, yogurt, roshmalai, borhani and cheese to be positive for mecA gene while it was not detected in any other of the samples. None of the tested samples found mecC positive. Our findings revealed that the milk and dairy food products sold at local markets of Mymensingh are contaminated with multidrug resistant S. aureus elucidating a possible risk of MRSA infection which is alarming for both human and animal health.

Objective: The present study estimated the seroprevalence of avian reovirus (ARV) infections in backyard chickens of the Mymensingh district in Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: Considering several risk factors, a total of 460 serum samples were collected from backyard chickens from eight Upazilas of the Mymensingh district in Bangladesh. Blood samples were taken from the wing vein using 3-ml sterile syringes and kept at room temperature for clotting in a slanting position and then transported to the laboratory maintaining the cool chain. Subsequently, the prepared sera were harvested and stored at −20°C until used. Finally, an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to detect ARVspecific antibodies using a commercial ARV antibody detection ELISA test kit. Results: The results revealed high prevalence rates of ARV antibodies, with a total seroprevalence of 69.78% (321/460). Area-wise, 74.55% (82/110) seroprevalence was recorded as the highest in Mymensingh Sadar, whereas 64% (32/50) was the lowest in Gauripur Upazila. With regard to sex, female chickens showed a significantly higher ( p < 0.05) seroprevalence as 90.33% (271/300) compared to male chickens 31.25% (50/160). With regard to age groups, the seroprevalence of ARV infection was 59.33% (89/150) within 2–8 weeks, 82% (205/250) within 9–16 weeks, and 45% (27/60) within 17–20 weeks, respectively. Based on hygienic conditions, the highest seroprevalence of ARV was noted in backyard chickens housed in poor conditions 80% (120/150) than good conditions 50% (40/80). Backyard chickens reared in free-ranging conditions exhibited a significantly higher seroprevalence 73.33% (220/300) of ARV antibodies compared to rearing in separate houses 63.12% (101/160). The seroprevalence of ARV was higher in crossbreeds 71.67% (43/60), brought from market 76% (38/50), and unhealthy 78.57% (55/70) backyard chickens than non-descriptive indigenous 69.5% (278/400), home-reared 69.02% (283/410), and healthy chickens 68.21% (266/390). Conclusion: The high prevalence of ARV antibodies revealed in the current study indicates an extensive exposure of ARV to backyard chickens in Bangladesh that may be transmitted naturally to other chickens, ultimately leading to ominous economic effects on the poultry sector.

Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic pathogen causing dental infection and systemic infections in human body. This organism decreases susceptibility to several types of antibiotics every day and becomes more resistant which is a growing sense of concern in this era. Considering this fact, the study was attempted to characterize the S. aureus from human dental infection and to determine the antibiogram profile of isolates. Sixty four (64) samples were collected from the patients with dental infection who visited different dental clinics and hospitals in Mymensingh, Bangladesh for treatment. Isolation and identification of S. aureus were conducted by using cultural, morphological, and biochemical characteristics. Polymerase chain reaction was performed for final confirmation of S. aureus followed by detection of methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) targeting mecA and mecC genes. Antibiotic susceptibility test of isolated bacteria was tested against seven antibiotics by disk diffusion methods. Forty isolates among 64 samples were found positive for S. aureus based on cultural characteristics. Among them 30 isolates were found positive in coagulase test. Depending on the result of coagulase test, all the 30 isolates were subjected to antibiotic sensitivity test and among them 25 were 100% resistant to penicillin, ampicillin and amoxicillin. All the 25 isolates were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify methicillin resistant gene mecA and mecC. Eight isolates were positive for mecA gene while no isolates were positive for mecC. The present findings conclude that S. aureus is prevalent in dental infections and contain methicillin resistant genes.

Aim: Microbiological risk analysis of ready-to-eat fast foods for sale on the campus of Bangladesh Agricultural University was undertaken to understand the contribution of such foods to foodborne disease. Materials and Methods: From each of 10 randomly selected fast food outlets, a total of 120 samples of six food items were collected to assess common microbial load. In parallel, vendors were asked about their food production and selling practices, while consumers (n=200) were asked about their consumption of fast foods and whether they had experienced symptoms of foodborne disease. Results: Aerobic plate count (APC) varied from 6.92 to 7.24 log colony-forming unit (cfu)/g, Staphylococcus spp. 4.67 to 5.15 log cfu/g, Salmonella spp. 3.67 to 4.22 log cfu/g, and Escherichia coli 4.10 to 4.58 log cfu/g. Microbial risk assessment of Staphylococcus spp., Salmonella spp., and E. coli for daily, weekly, or monthly consumption was estimated by Monte Carlo simulation (10,000 iterations). The consumer survey showed 57% chance of being infected by ready-to-eat fast food samples. The calculated mean annual risks of Staphylococcus spp., Salmonella spp., and E. coli infection were about 100% in all cases. Conclusion: Thus, the study revealed high risk of infection associated with the consumption of ready-to-eat fast foods.