1.Detection of virulence genes and antibiotic resistance profiles of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from animals
Asinamai Athliamai Bitrus ; Zakaria Zunita ; Siti Khairani Bejo ; Sarah Othman ; Nur Adilah Ahmad Nadzir
Malaysian Journal of Microbiology 2016;12(6):408-417-417
Aims: This study was designed to determine the virulence genes and antibiotic resistance profiles of Staphylococcus
aureus isolated from dogs, cats, chickens and horses.
Methodology and results: A total of 15 S. aureus isolates were used in this study. Antibiogram and screening of
virulence genes was carried out using disc diffusion method and polymerase chain reaction. The results obtained
showed that a total of 9 S. aureus isolates were resistant towards oxacillin (60%), 9 isolates were resistant towards
neomycin (60%) and 8 isolates were resistant towards tilmicosin (53%). Resistance to amoxicillin, tetracycline and
vancomycin was also observed in 6 (40%) of the isolates. Additionally, 5 (33%) of the isolates showed resistance
towards streptomycin and linzolide while 4 (27%) of the isolates were resistant towards rifampin, erythromycin and
mupirocin. Lastly, 3 (20%) of the isolates were resistant towards doxycycline. Intermediate resistance to amoxicillin and
doxycycline was also observed. Virulence gene profiling showed that 4 (26.7%) of the isolates were positive for hlβ and
SspA, 9 of the isolates (60%) showed positive for geh and 12 of the isolates (80%) showed positive for Set-1. Similarly,
2 (13.3%) of the isolates showed positive for etA and Seu while only 1 isolate (6.7%) showed positive for PVL and hlα.
None of the isolates were positive for tst-1 and etB.
Conclusion, significance and impact of study: This study revealed reduced susceptibility and multiple drug
resistance (MDR) in four isolates, and susceptibility to all antibiotics in two isolates in addition to low carriage rate of
virulence gene in all isolates. Thus, indicating resistance development in majority of the isolates and the need to regulate
indiscriminate use of antibiotics in animals.
Staphylococcus aureus
2.Prevalence of Escherichia Coli O157:H7 and Enterobacteriaceae on Hands of Workers in Halal Cattle Abattoirs in Peninsular Malaysia
Shamsul Bahri Mohd Tamrin ; Adamu Muhammad Tukur ; Mohd Desa Mohd Nasir ; Khairani-Bejo Siti
Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences 2016;23(5):65-71
Background: Several occupational diseases of multiple origins are encountered among
abattoir workers. Presence of indicator microorganisms (coliforms) on hands of workers can be
used a gauge for hygienic practices.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed to assess the prevalence of E.coli
and enterobacteriaceae among Halal abattoir workers in some government halal abattoirs of
Malaysia. A total of one hundred and sixty-five hand swab samples were collected from workers
of Halal abattoirs in Malaysia. The samples were subjected to microbiological analysis for
characterisation and serotyping.
Results: The results have shown that no Escherichia coli O157:H7 was isolated on
the hands of abattoir workers before and after work. However, a total prevalence of 9.7% was
recorded for all samples during work. For non-O157:H7, total prevalence of 33.3% during work
and 13% after work were obtained. High prevalence was recorded in sample taken during work
from Tampin, Jasin and Kemaman (100% each) while low prevalence where observed in Shah
Alam, Banting and Ipoh (20% each).
Conclusions: Based on the findings the hygienic practices of hand washing among the
workers in few locations was found to be low especially after work.
3.Seroprevalence and molecular detection of leptospirosis from a dog shelter
Tropical Biomedicine 2016;33(2):276-284
A study on seroprevalence and molecular detection of canine leptospirosis was
carried out in a dog population (randomly selected
n
=80 dogs) from an animal shelter X. All
the dogs in Shelter X appeared clinically healthy. Eighty blood samples were obtained and
their serum were serologically examined using Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) against
10 Leptospira serovars. Plasma samples obtained were subjected to Polymerase Chain Reaction
(PCR) assay. Three out of 80 dogs (3.8%) tested positive for
L. bataviae
based on MAT at a
titer of 1:80. The seroprevalence of 9 other Leptospira serovars was not evident in this study.
All the dogs tested negative against leptospirosis with PCR assay. In conclusion, canine
leptospirosis was detected in dogs in this animal shelter.
L. bataviae
was identified as the
infecting serovar. To our knowledge, this is the second report of serovar Bataviae infection in
dogs in Malaysia. The 3 dogs in our study could possibly be a source of leptospiral infection
to other dogs and may shed the bacteria into the environment. This serovar is not available in
canine vaccination programs, therefore the dogs are not protected from this disease. Further
investigation is warranted to determine whether the infected dogs are carriers of this serovar.
4.Antibiotic resistance profiles of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius isolated from dogs and cats
Mohamed Abdelrahman Mohamed ; Saleha Abdul-Aziz ; Gurmeet Kaur Dhaliwal ; Siti Khairani Bejo ; Mohammed Dauda Goni ; Asinamai Athliamai Bitrus ; Ibrahim Muhammad Jalo
Malaysian Journal of Microbiology 2017;13(3):180-186
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.
5.Occurrence of antibiotic resistant Campylobacter in wild birds and poultry
Ibrahim Mohamed Mohamed-Yousif ; Saleha Abdul-Aziz ; Jalila Abu ; Siti Khairani-Bejo ; Chong Leong Puan ; Asinamai Athliamai Bitrus ; Abdulrasheed Bello Aliyu ; Elmutaz Atta Awad
Malaysian Journal of Microbiology 2019;15(2):143-151
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.
6.Occurrence of multidrug resistant (MDR) Campylobacterspecies isolated from retail chicken meats in Selangor, Malaysia and their associated risk factors
Muhammad Jalo IBRAHIM ; Saleha ABDUL-AZIZ ; Asinamai Athliamai BITRUS ; Dauda Goni MOHAMMED ; Jalila ABU ; Siti Khairani BEJO ; Mohamed Abdelrahman MOHAMED ; Mohamed Yousif Ibrahim Mohamed
Malaysian Journal of Microbiology 2018;14(3):272-281
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