Predicting Human Risk with Multidrug Resistant Enterobacter hormaechei MS2 having MCR 9 Gene Isolated from the Feces of Healthy Broiler Through Whole-Genome Sequence-Based Analysis.

The zoonotic spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the associated infections are becoming a major threat to the human population worldwide. Strategies to identify the potential pathogen dissemination by seemingly healthy livestock are at a nascent stage and it is of significant importance to monitor environmental evolution of AMR. In this study, a multidrug resistant strain (MDR) of Enterobacter hormaechei MS2 isolated from the feces of healthy broiler chicken has been characterized by whole-genome sequencing-based method. Here, the isolate was primarily subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing followed genome sequencing and analysis. From the antimicrobial susceptibility testing result, the strain was found to be resistant to multiple classes of drugs including the colistin which is an important  last resort drug used to treat infectious diseases. The resistome prediction of genomic data further revealed the presence of 7 perfect and 26 strict hits including those for MCR-9 and FosA2. The pathogenicity prediction has also demonstrated the strain to have the potential to be a human pathogen with 0.72 probability. The phylogenetic analysis has also supported the zoonotic potential of the strain due to its clustering with isolates from both human and livestock-associated host groups. The results of the study suggest the need for a strong surveillance system to identify the opportunistic zoonotic pathogens to prevent a silent AMR menace mediated by them. Carriage of multi-drug resistant strains in the livestock gut microbiome is also a serious concern as it has high AMR transmissibility through contact and supply chain activities.

Rapid detection of mobile resistance genes tetA and tetB from metaplasmid isolated from healthy broiler feces.

Containing antimicrobial resistance is the thought of the moment as it affects the human life from every aspect. Because, the inappropriate use of antibiotics in livestock animals for the growth promotion and prophylactic purpose has already generated significant challenges. The livestock farms which harbor and disseminate drug resistant microorganisms have already been identified as potential source of resistance genes acquired by the sensitive strains. Hence there is high demand for the affordable and effective surveillance method for the detection of antimicrobial resistance genes from livestock. In this study, direct detection of antibiotic resistance from metaplasmid DNA isolated from the poultry feces was conducted. For the initial standardization, plasmid DNA purified from the previously characterized Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were used. The tetA and tetB genes amplified from the purified plasmid DNA were further confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis and sequencing. Further to this, metaplasmid DNA was purified from 29 different poultry fecal samples and these were further screened for the presence of resistance genes. Among the 29 metaplasmid samples, 8 were positive for tetA gene and 9 were positive for tetB gene. The results of the study indicate the potential of PCR based methods for the rapid screening of poultry samples for the antibiotic stewardship in the livestock sector.

Natural Rabies Infection in a Domestic Fowl (Gallus domesticus): A Report from India.

BACKGROUND: Rabies is a fatal encephalitis caused by viruses belonging to the genus Lyssavirus of the family Rhabdoviridae. It is a viral disease primarily affecting mammals, though all warm blooded animals are susceptible. Experimental rabies virus infection in birds has been reported, but naturally occurring infection of birds has been documented very rarely. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The carcass of a domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus), which had been bitten by a stray dog one month back, was brought to the rabies diagnostic laboratory. A necropsy was performed and the brain tissue obtained was subjected to laboratory tests for rabies. The brain tissue was positive for rabies viral antigens by fluorescent antibody test (FAT) confirming a diagnosis of rabies. Phylogenetic analysis based on nucleoprotein gene sequencing revealed that the rabies virus strain from the domestic fowl belonged to a distinct and relatively rare Indian subcontinent lineage. SIGNIFICANCE: This case of naturally acquired rabies infection in a bird species, Gallus domesticus, being reported for the first time in India, was identified from an area which has a significant stray dog population and is highly endemic for canine rabies. It indicates that spill over of infection even to an unusual host is possible in highly endemic areas. Lack of any clinical signs, and fewer opportunities for diagnostic laboratory testing of suspected rabies in birds, may be the reason for disease in these species being undiagnosed and probably under-reported. Butchering and handling of rabies virus- infected poultry may pose a potential exposure risk.