Present study was undertaken to characterize Staphylococcus spp. associated with respiratory tract infection in small ruminants. A total of 139 bacterial isolates were recovered from clinically sick and apparently healthy small ruminants. The prevalence rate of Staphylococcus spp. in sick and healthy animals was 44.94 and 24% respectively. The sensitivity pattern of selected antibiotics was similar in both clinically sick and apparently healthy animals except streptomycin and penicillin-G. PCR assay was standardized for the detection of pathogenic genes of Staphylococcus spp. viz. clfA and spa. Among 34 random isolates selected, the prevalence rate of clfA and spa gene was 79.41 and 58.82% respectively indicating their pathogenic potential. In conclusion, Staphylococcus spp. was found to be one of the highly prevalent organism in respiratory tract infections.
The Greater Adjutant is an IUCN Red List ‘Endangered’ scavenging stork. This study reports the findings of post-mortem, histopathology, and a series of microbiological tests conducted on the Greater Adjutant that died in Deeporbeel Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam. A post-mortem examination revealed extensive nodule forming parasitic (Balfouria monogama) infestations in the stomach and intestine. Generalised congestion and haemorrhages in multiple organs were also revealed by the histopathological findings. Bacteriological culture detected the presence of Escherichia coli, Enterococcus sp., and Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens was confirmed by cpa gene PCR). Virus detection tests like HA and HI test for NDV and rapid antigen detection test for Avian Influenza virus were found to be negative; however, PCR of tissue samples from two Greater Adjutants for Flavivirus was found to be positive. Greater Adjutants may carry the above bacteria as commensals in their GI tract and may possibly act as a reservoir of Flavivirus. The actual cause of deaths, however, were confirmed by the forensic report to be due to organophosphorus toxicity.
Background and Aim: Listeriosis in food animals bears a significant threat to human health. Detailed investigations into the cause facilitate proper management of the disease. This study reports the cultural, pathological, and molecular characterization of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from encephalitic goats from peri-urban Guwahati, Assam.
Materials and Methods: Out of nine suspected samples, five positive isolates of L. monocytogenes were subjected to bacteriological, biochemical, and molecular tests. The genus and species-specific L. monocytogenes 16S rRNA and prs genes were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to yield 1200 and 370 bp sized products, respectively. The encephalitic form of the disease was characterized by circling movement, high fever, and terminal recumbence.
Results: All the five isolates were confirmed to be L. monocytogenes based on PCR amplification of genus and species-specific 16S rRNA and prs gene products. The isolates were sensitive to ciprofloxacin, oxytetracycline (OTC), and norfloxacin, but resistant to doxycycline and erythromycin. A high dose of OTC was used in a goat at the early stage of clinical symptom and the animal recovered clinically.
Conclusion: Listeriosis in goats could pose a significant public health threat as the meat (occasionally milk) or meat products from goats are widely consumed by the people of Assam. Understanding the molecular epidemiological aspects of L. monocytogenes infections of food animal species should, therefore, be the priority in this part of the country.
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