Most of the efforts in elucidating the molecular relatedness and epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus in Malaysia have been largely focused on methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Therefore, here we report the draft genome sequence of the methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) with sequence type 1 (ST1), spa type t127 with Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (pvl) pathogenic determinant isolated from pus sample designated as KT/314250 strain. The size of the draft genome is 2.86 Mbp with 32.7% of G + C content consisting 2673 coding sequences. The draft genome sequence has been deposited in DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank under the accession number AOCP00000000.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the prevalence and antibiogram of Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistance S. aureus (MRSA) in rabbits, rabbit handlers, and rabbitry environments in Terengganu. Materials and Methods: Swab samples from 183 rabbits (183 oral and 183 ear swabs), 45 rabbit handlers (45 oral and 45 nasal), and environmental ( n = 180) samples from rabbitries were collected from 10 rabbit farms in Terengganu. The associated S. aureus isolates from the swabs were isolated using phenotypic microbiology tests. The bacteria were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction targeting nuc ( S. aureus ) and mecA (MRSA) genes. The antibiogram of all S. aureus isolates was determined using the Kirby–Bauer test. Results: Staphylococcus aureus was detected in 19% of rabbits, 26.7% of rabbit handlers, and 8.8% of swabs from the rabbitry environment. However, MRSA (0%) could not be detected. Antibiotic susceptibility test revealed that S. aureus from rabbits showed low resistance (<20%) against 15 different antibiotics while fully susceptible to 4 antibiotics. Meanwhile, S. aureus from rabbit handlers showed high resistance against penicillin (86%), oxacillin (64%), and amoxicillin (50%). Conclusions: This study suggests the emergence of antibiotic-resistant S. aureus in rabbit farms settings. Therefore, careful selection of antimicrobial agents will be essential to preserve the effectiveness of treatments toward S. aureus infections.

The emergence of multidrug-resistance Enterobacteriaceae such as extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) and carbapenem-resistant E. coli (CREC) has become an urgent veterinary and public health threat. These multidrug-resistant microorganisms are frequently associated with diseases that have high mortality with limited treatment options. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of ESBL producing E. coli and CREC from the rabbit, swine, and poultry and to determine the antibiogram profile of these E. coli isolates. In this study, 400 fecal swab samples were collected from rabbits, swine, and poultry from several selected animal farms in Malaysia. After incubation and isolation processes, suspected E. coli isolates were subjected to a PCR test to confirm the identity of the bacteria. The antibiogram of the E. coli isolates was determined via the Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method. A total of 212 (53%) E. coli isolates were isolated from rabbits (51 isolates), poultry (110 isolates), and swine (51 isolates). Screening of antimicrobial resistance genes revealed twelve ESBL producing E. coli (3%; 12/400). Two ESBL producing E. coli were also carrying carbapenemase gene (Bla NDM ), indicating ESBL producing and carbapenem-resistant E. coli (ESBL-CREC) in poultry fecal swab samples. The bacteria isolates were found to show resistance against nine antibiotics, including ertapenem, ampicillin, and amoxicillin-clavulanate. A total of 3.3% (7/212) of the E. coli isolates were found to be multidrug-resistance. This study demonstrated the presence of ESBL-producing E. coli and ESBL-producing CREC from poultry fecal swabs in Malaysia.

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infections, particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in humans and animals, have become a significant concern globally. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence and antibiogram of S. aureus isolated from animal handlers in Peninsular Malaysia. Furthermore, the genotypic characteristics of S. aureus isolates were also investigated. Nasal and oral swab samples were collected from 423 animal handlers in Peninsular Malaysia. The antibiogram profiles of S. aureus against 18 antibiotics were established using a Kirby–Bauer test. The genotypic profile of S. aureus, including the presence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), virulence genes and spa genotypes, was investigated using molecular techniques. The overall carriage rate of S. aureus, MRSA and MDRSA was 30.5%, 1.2% and 19.4%, respectively. S. aureus was highly resistant against penicillin (72.3%) and amoxicillin (52.3%). Meanwhile, gentamicin and linezolid were fully effective against all the isolated S. aureus from animal handlers. It was observed that animal handlers with close exposure to poultry were more likely to carry S. aureus that is resistant to tetracycline and erythromycin. S. aureus isolates harboured tetracycline resistance (tetK, tetL and tetM), erythromycin resistance (ermA, ermB, ermC and msrA) and immune evasion cluster (IEC) genes (scn, chp, sak, sea and sep). Seventeen different spa types were detected among the 30 isolates of MDRSA, with t189 (16.7%) and t4171 (16.7%) being the predominant spa type, suggesting wide genetic diversity of the MDRSA isolates. The present study demonstrated the prevalence of S. aureus strains, including MRSA and MDRSA with various antimicrobial resistance and genetic profiles from animal handlers in Peninsular Malaysia.

House flies are commonly found at homes and business premises in Malaysia. They are known as vectors of pathogen because they carry the pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella after contacting to animal waste. It is therefore very much essential to control over the house flies so that it cannot be spread out in a large scale. In doing so, many kinds of baits are used to attract and trap these flies either by mechanical or chemical means. But all these baits are not capable of attracting flies equally. The main goal of this study is to find out the best bait that can attract house fly effectively and safely in everyplace. Experiments were conducted to find out the best bait among six different baits commonly used in Malaysia. Two baits made in abroad and four baits made in Malaysia were selected for conducting this study because these baits are commonly used in Malaysia. Experiments were carried out in food industry, fish market and poultry farm in the east coast of Malaysia. Data were collected from the field experiments continuously for six days and analysed to determine the best bait that trap the house flies very effectively. Data analysis results show that the Chinese Electronic Fly Catcher Trap (CEFCT bait is the best one for trapping house flies effectively compared to other baits. Further studies are necessary to find out the low-cost bait components with similar effect of CEFCT bait in local market in order to develop new low-cost bait.