Objective: This study aims at investigating the antibacterial potential of ethanolic extract of Camellia sinensis (common name: Green tea) and Azadirachta indica (common name: Neem) leaves on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and shiga-toxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC). Materials and Methods: Fresh leaves were processed and extracted by 99% ethanol and reconstituted with 50% ethanol before testing. Disk diffusion and broth microdilution methods were used to determine zone diameter of inhibition (ZDI) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), respectively. Nutrient agar plate was used to estimate the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). Results: Maximum ZDI value was observed for green tea against MRSA (7.5 mm) and minimum for neem (4.9 mm). Moreover, the highest ZDI against STEC was also for green tea and the combination of green tea and neem (4.5 mm). The MIC values of green tea extract were 15.625 and 31.25 mg/ml against MRSA and STEC, respectively, whereas the MIC of neem was 31.25 and 125 mg/ml, respectively. The combination had similar MIC (46.87 mg/ml) against both organisms. Green tea showed the lowest MBC values, 31.25 and 62.5 mg/ml, against MRSA and STEC, respectively. However, MBC of neem and the combination against MRSA and STEC were found >250 mg/ml, >500 mg/ml and 93.75 mg/ml, >375 mg/ml, respectively. Conclusion: Green tea and neem leaves showed good antimicrobial effects and can be used to explore novel antimicrobial compounds against MRSA and STEC.

Objective: The present study was carried out for the isolation, identification and antibiogram study of Salmonella spp. from apparently healthy Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) at three different quail farms in Mymensingh, Bangladesh. Materials and methods: A total of 75 cloacal swab samples were randomly collected from apparently healthy Japanese quails from three different farms at Mymensingh, Bangladesh. The samples were subjected to a series of cultural and biochemical examination for the isolation of Salmonella followed by molecular detection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Motility of the Salmonella was performed by motility test and amplification of speF gene. The antibiogram profile of the isolates was also evaluated against commonly used antimicrobials by disc diffusion method. Results: The overall prevalence of Salmonella spp. in quails was found to be 13.33%(n=10/75). Out of the 10 isolates, seven were found to be motile. Farmwise, the prevalence of Salmonella spp. were 10%(n=3/30), 24%(n=6/25) and 5%(n=1/20) at the quail farms of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Shikarikanda and Akua, respectively. The antibiogram study revealed that all the isolates were resistant to both Erythromycin and Tetracycline. On the other hand, 100% isolates were sensitive to both Ciprofloxacin and Imipenem. Ninety percent isolates of Salmonella were resistant to Colistin sulphate. Neomycin was found to be sensitive to 80% Salmonella isolates. All the Salmonella isolates were found to be multidrug resistant (MDR). Conclusion:The presence of MDR Salmonella spp. in quails signifies public health importance of the organisms, which may be associated with food-borne illness.

Avian influenza has been considered as a serious threat to veterinary public health of Bangladesh since 2007. The national and international bodies responded so quickly as to control the outbreak at that time. A full scale long time strategic plan and its implementation could protect the country from further outbreak. The dynamic antigenic nature of this virus is an extra concern. Besides, mass vaccination without proper surveillance and use of ineffectiveborder-crossed unauthorized vaccines worsened the situations silently. Recent outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 is a matter of topmost national concern. It is time to navigate back to the unresolved issues prioritizing the analysis of existing avian influenza related data and metadata and fortification of surveillance system effectually. LBM (Live Bird Market) sink surveillance might serve the purpose given the feasibility of division wise surveillance system. Only by detecting existing field strain causing infections, master seed can be produced that will eventually result in efficient vaccine. Viral phylodynamics blended with computerized technology now provides prediction of variant protein and their phenotypic characteristics. Also the countries are more united than ever to share the genetic sequence of influenza virus and collaborate more actively.Bangladesh Journal of Infectious Diseases 2017;4(2):48-51