Aims:The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of Escherichia coliand E. coliO157:H7 in the cattle, farm environment beef andmilk samples.Methodology and results:A total of 192 samples were collected from cattle (rectal faeces) (96) and their farm environment (96) including feed, floorof stall swabs, pooled flies and water samples and 30 milk samples from dairy cattle. A total of seven markets were selected to collect 60 beef samples. The presence of E. coli and E. coli O157:H7 was determined using culture method and confirmed using PCR assay. The overall occurrence rate of E. coli in the farm was 49%. In milk, the occurrence of E. coliwas 33.3% and in beef was 10%. The isolated E. coli were then screened for E. coli O157 using latex agglutination test (Oxoid) and 34.2% were found positive to the test. The identified E. coliO157 isolates were then subjected to multiplex PCR with five primer pairs. They were all negative except for 3.6% of the E. coliO157 (10.5%)isolates which were positive for the presence of fliCH7 genes. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: This study showed the absence of E. coli O157:H7 in the cattle, farm environment, milk and beef. This study may provide a base for conducting a broader spectrum study by having more risk factors included in the study of E. coliin cattle in Malaysia. Further detailed studies may provide a platform to control emergence and distribution of pathogenic bacteria and ensure good control and surveillance strategies and policies.

Aims: Antibiotic resistance in Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is increasing gradually towards those antibiotics that are frequently used leading to limited therapeutic options due to multidrug resistance. The objectives of the study were to investigate the antibiotic resistance profiles of S. pseudintermedius isolates from pet and stray dogs and cats in Selangor, Malaysia and to detect the resistance genes (mecA and BlaZ) within the isolates. Methodology and results: A total of 200 stray and pet dogs and cats were sampled. The samples were cultured onto Mannitol Salt agar and all the presumptive colonies were subcultured, then identified using biochemical tests and confirmed by PCR assay targeting the nuc gene. The isolates were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility test against 12 antibiotics. Twenty three isolates (11.5%) were positive to S. pseudintermedius (stray cats, 11/50; stray dogs, 9/50; pet dogs, 3/50 and pet cats, 0/50). One hundred percent (100%) of the S. pseudintermedius isolates were found to be resistant to penicillin, erythromycin and tetracycline while they showed 100% susceptible to oxacillin, amoxicillinclavulanic acid, gentamicin, chloramphenicol, vancomycin, ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin, cephalexin and rifampicin. The blaZ gene which codes for β-lactamases production was found in all of the isolates that were resistant to penicillin but not to methicillin. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: A high number of S. pseudintermedius from dogs and cats developed antibiotic resistance which is a public health concern.

Aims: Campylobacter is a major cause of gastroenteritis in humans worldwide, particularly in developed countries and is reported to show an increased trend in antibiotic resistance. The purpose of this study was to determine the occurrence of Campylobacter in wild birds, poultry and in poultry environments in Selangor, Malaysia as well as to determine the rate of antibiotic resistance among Campylobacter isolates from poultry and wild birds. Methodology and results: The wild birds were trapped near poultry farm areas and in open areas which were more than 5 km away from poultry farms (refered to as open environment). Of 57 wild birds trapped near the farm environment, 17.5% were positive for Campylobacter and out of these, 90% were Campylobacter jejuni. Of a total of 77 birds in the open environment, 22.1% were positive for Campylobacter and of these 88.7% were C. jejuni. The poultry farms consisted of 3 chicken and 2 duck farms. About 60% of the chickens and 44.8% of the ducks were positive for Campylobacter of which 80% were C. jejuni, while 20% were Campylobacter coli. The Campylobacter isolates were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility test using disk diffusion method against 12 antibiotics. All the isolates (100%) from wild birds around poultry houses were resistant to at least one antibiotic. Conclusion, significance and impact of study The findings showed 93% of the isolates from wild birds were resistant to at least two antibiotics. Campylobacter isolates from poultry in the farms were resistant to at least one antibiotic. The antibiotic resistant Campylobacter is of public health importance.

Aims:Campylobacter infection is one of the leading bacterial food-borne illness and most frequently reported in humans in developed countries. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of multidrug resistant (MDR) Campylobacterand the risk factors associated with their occurrence in broiler chicken meat retailed in markets. Methodology and results:A total of 210 samples consisting of 140 chicken meat and 70 swabs from weighing scales and cutting boards were collected. Isolates were cultured by passive filtration method, identified by biochemical tests and confirmed using PCR assay.Thirty-two(32/210) 15.2% were positive for Campylobacterof which (25/210) 11.9%, (6/210) 2.9% and (1/210) 0.5% were Campylobacter jejuni, C.coli andC.upsaliensis respectively. The isolates showed high resistance to ampicillin (62.5%), enrofloxacin (56.3%) and nalidixic acid (50.0%), while only 3.1% were resistant to streptomycin. Multidrug resistant isolates (resistance to at least one antibiotics in three classes or more) was high at 71.9%. The risk factors significantly (p<0.05) associated with Campylobactercontamination on chicken’smeat included poor workers hygiene {OR: 5.250 (95% CI: 0.988-27.895)}, wearing improper work attire {OR: 2.700 (95% CI: 1.144-6.374)}, poor protective equipment {OR 38.50 (95% CI: 2.915-508.463)}, poor environment/stall hygiene {OR 44.00 (95% CI: 2.193-882.66)}, and using tiled counter top surface {OR 6.667 (95% CI: 0.597-74.506). Conclusion, significance and impact of study:The finding of this study affirmed that lack or poor work hygiene, unclean environmental stall and protective equipment are associated with high occurrence of multidrug resistant Campylobacterspecies isolated from chicken meat