Bird-biting mosquitoes act as bridge vectors of diverse pathogens of emerging infectious diseases. In this study, we report for the first time the abundance, diversity, distribution, and feeding pattern of bird-biting mosquitoes on an island where avifaunal diversity is rich. Monthly mosquito collections were done at six different habitats in three different climatic zones using bird-baited traps over a year. Collected mosquitoes were identified using morphological and molecular tools. A total of 2,655 bird-biting mosquitoes of eight genera and 25 species were identified. Of these, 52% were Culex species, which represents 35% of the Culex species in the country. The most abundant species were Culex sitiens, Cx. pseudovishnui, Cx. nigropunctatus and Cx. quinquefasciatus, whereas the latter two were common to all habitats. The highest abundance was reported in lowland forests (49.6%), while it was lowest in highland forests (22.3%). Highest species similarity was reported from highland forests. Seasonal variations of the most abundant species were significantly different in selected habitats (p< 0.05). Two distinct biting peaks were identified, from 06:00 to 21:00 and 22:00 to 02:00. The biting nature of identified ornithophilic mosquitoes suggests the potential vector status of these mosquitoes.

The presence of unacceptable levels of veterinary drug residues in animal-derived food is a global concern due to its negative impacts on human health. This study reports the occurrence and levels of two fluoroquinolone antimicrobialsenrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin-in broiler meat sold in Sri Lanka. A total of 129 broiler meat samples were purchased from the market, representing nine large-scale broiler meat processors (107 samples in 66 batches, branded) with an islandwide distribution and 22 small-scale processors (22 samples, unbranded). Enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin in breast muscle were extracted following a previously published method with modifications and were subjected to High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Fluorescence Detection analysis for the quantification of antimicrobials. Enrofloxacin residues were detected in 67 (51.9%) samples, out of which 28 had quantifiable levels (1.7-578.6 μg kg -1 ), whereas ciprofloxacin was detected in only nine samples. Only three samples (2.3%) exceeded the European Union maximum residue limit of 100 μg kg -1 for the sum of ciprofloxacin and enrofloxacin in poultry muscle. These three samples had enrofloxacin in 130.3-578.6 μg kg -1 range and ciprofloxacin in 15.7-28.8 μg kg -1 range. Mean enrofloxacin level in other samples was 5.9 ± 5.3 µg kg -1 . This study shows the widespread use of enrofloxacin in broiler meat industry in the country and the possibility of meat with harmful levels of residues entering the market. Thus, we highlight the need to establish regulations and a national-level veterinary drug residue surveillance program for animal-derived foods including broiler meat to ensure consumer safety.

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SUMMARY: During religious, cultural and other human entertainment activities domesticated elephants comeinto close contact with humans creating a potential disease transmission threat between elephants and humans. The main objective of the study was to screen the elephants participated in the Esala Perahera 2015 for the zoonotic bacterial pathogens namely Salmonella, Campylobacter and Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. Further, the antimicrobial susceptibility of the fecal E. coli and zoonotic pathogens isolated were determined to identify multidrug resistant organisms.The isolation rates for E.coli and Salmonella were 100% and 8%, respectively while Campylobacter was not isolated from any of the fecal samples collected. Three of the four Salmonella isolates were resistant to ampicillin and tetracycline and all four isolates were susceptible to nalidixic acid, streptomycin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim combination, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, imipenem and amikacin. A number of E.coli isolates were resistant to ampicillin (8%), sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim combination (8%), tetracycline (8%), ceftriaxone (8%), amikacin (6%), nalidixic acid (4%), imipenem (4%), gentamicin (2%), streptomycin (2%), ceftazidime (2%) and ciprofloxacin (2%). However, all tested E.coli isolates were susceptible to cefotaxime.Further, 8% of the E. coli isolates showed resistance tothree or more antimicrobial groups used and can be classified asmultidrug resistant. None of the elephants yielded a positive result for the fecal PCR assay indicating that the animals did not excrete pathogenic mycobacteria in their feces.