Isolation and RFLP genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii from the domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) from Grenada, West Indies revealed high genetic variability.

Stray dogs are considered as sentinels in the epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii because they are carnivores and eat a variety of foods, including garbage. In the present study, tissues and sera of 249 stray dogs (Canis familiaris) from Grenada, West Indies were examined for T. gondii infection. Sera were examined for antibodies to T. gondii by the modified agglutination test (MAT); 89 (35.7%) of 249 were seropositive with titers of 25 in seven dogs, 50 in 22 dogs, 100 in 22 dogs, 200 or higher in 38 dogs. Hearts of 76 seropositive dogs were bioassayed in mice. Viable T. gondii was isolated from 12 dogs; these isolates were designated TgDogGr1 to TgDogGr12. These isolates were further propagated in cell culture and DNA isolated from cell culture derived tachyzoites of 12 isolates was genotyped using 10 PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism markers (SAG1, SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, and Apico). The results revealed six genotypes, including ToxoDB PCR-RFLP #1, #2, #3, #7, #13 and #224, with 1, 6, 1, 2, 1 and 1 isolates, respectively. The result supports previous findings that T. gondii population genetics is highly diverse in Grenada.

Antimicrobial drug resistance in Escherichia coli isolated from commercial chicken eggs in Grenada, West Indies.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the antimicrobial resistance profile of Escherichia coli (E coli) isolated from the shell membrane and yolk of commercial chicken eggs in Grenada. METHODS: A total of 450 eggs were collected from different locations including small (33.3%) and big farms (26.7%), roadside vendors (26.7%) and supermarkets (13.3%). The shell membranes and yolk were cultured separately on blood agar and McConkey Agar Escherichia coli were identified using biochemical tests and API20E strips. The isolates were tested for antimicrobial sensitivity. RESULTS: A total of 55 E coli isolates were obtained. Of which 34 isolates were from shell membrane and 21 from yolk samples. Twenty-two of the total 34 isolates from shell membrane exhibited resistance to one or more of the antibiotics used in the study whereas 11 of the 21 yolks isolate also showed resistance to one or more of the tested antibiotics. Among the six antibiotics tested, the highest level of resistance was observed for ampicillin, 42.9 per cent and 31.8 per cent respectively for shell membrane and yolk isolates. The lowest resistance rate among all the antibiotics was observed against enrofloxacin (0%). Multi-drug resistance (resistance to > or = 3 compounds) was observed in 10.9% of the isolates. CONCLUSIONS: This study on E coli drug resistance in commercial chicken eggs in Grenada generated baseline data indicating that chicken eggs used for food can harbour resistant E coli. A regular monitoring of commensal and clinical isolates of E coli for antibacterial resistance is warranted.

Antimicrobial drug resistance in escherichia coli isolated from commercial chicken eggs in Grenada, West Indies / Resistencia antimicrobiana a los medicamentos en escherichia coli aislada de huevos comerciales de gallina en Granada, West Indies

OBJECTIVE: To determine the antimicrobial resistance profile of Escherichia coli (E coli) isolated from the shell membrane and yolk of commercial chicken eggs in Grenada. METHODS: A total of 450 eggs were collected from different locations including small (33.3%) and big farms (26.7%), roadside vendors (26.7%) and supermarkets (13.3%). The shell membranes and yolk were cultured separately on blood agar and McConkey Agar. Escherichia coli were identified using biochemical tests and API20E strips. The isolates were tested for antimicrobial sensitivity. RESULTS: A total of 55 E coli isolates were obtained. Of which 34 isolates were from shell membrane and 21 from yolk samples. Twenty-two of the total 34 isolates from shell membrane exhibited resistance to one or more ofthe antibiotics used in the study whereas 11 of the 21 yolks isolate also showed resistance to one or more ofthe tested antibiotics. Among the six antibiotics tested, the highest level of resistance was observed for ampicillin, 42.9 per cent and 31.8 per cent respectively for shell membrane and yolk isolates. The lowest resistance rate among all the antibiotics was observed against enrofloxacin (0%). Multi-drug resistance (resistance to > 3 compounds) was observed in 10.9% of the isolates. CONCLUSIONS: This study on E coli drug resistance in commercial chicken eggs in Grenada generated baseline data indicating that chicken eggs used for food can harbour resistant E coli. A regular monitoring ofcommensal and clinical isolates of E coli for antibacterial resistance is warranted.

OBJETIVO: Determinar el perfil de resistencia antimicrobiana de Escherichia coli (E coli) aislada de la membrana de la cáscara y la yema de huevos comerciales de gallinas en Granada. MÉTODO: Un total de 450 huevos fueron recolectados de diferentes localidades, incluyendo granjas pequeñas (33.3%) y grandes (26.7%), vendedores a la orilla de los caminos (26.7%), y los supermercados (13.3%). Las membranas de la cáscara y yema fueron puestas por separado en un cultivo de agar sangre y agar McConkey. Las Escherichia coli fueron identificadas usando pruebas bioquímicas y tiras API20E. Los aislados fueron sometidos a pruebas para determinar su sensibilidad antimicrobiana. RESULTADOS: Se obtuvo un total de 55 aislados de E coli. De estos, 34 aislados provenían de la membrana de las cáscaras y 21 de las muestras de yemas. Veintidós del total 34 aislados de la membrana, mostraron ser resistentes a uno o más de los antibióticos usados en el estudio, mientras que 11 de los 21 aislados de yemas también mostraron resistencia a uno o más de los antibióticos probados. Entre los seis antibióticos probados, el nivel más alto de resistencia se observó frente a la ampicilina, 42.9 por ciento y 31.8 por ciento respectivamente para la membrana de la cáscara y los aislados de yema. La tasa de resistencia más baja entre todos los antibióticos se observó frente a la enrofloxacina (0%). Una resistencia multidroga (resistencia a > 3 compuestos) se observó en 10.9% de los aislados. CONCLUSIONES: Este estudio sobre la resistencia medicamentosa de E en los huevos comerciales de gallina en Granada, generó datos básicos que indican que los huevos de gallina usados para la alimentación pueden ser fuente de E coli resistentes a los medicamentos. Se garantiza un monitoreo regular de aislados comensales y clínicos de E coli a fin de detectar su resistencia antibacteriana.

Existence of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in rats (Rattus norvegicus) in Grenada, West Indies.

The zoonotic rat lung worm, Angiostrongylus cantonensis is endemic to Asia, North America, Africa and Australia. The parasite is expanding geographically and has recently been recorded in some of the Greater Antilles in the northern part of the Caribbean. In this study A. cantonensis is reported for the first time in the Lesser Antilles in one of the southernmost islands, Grenada. Between September 2005 and September 2006, 192 rats (Rattus norvegicus) were trapped throughout the island. The rats were anesthetized, exsanguinated, necropsied and the lungs were fixed whole in 10% buffered formalin, trimmed, processed, cut at 3microm, stained with hematoxylin and eosin and examined microscopically. A total of 45 (23.4%) of the 192 rats examined were found to be infected with A. cantonensis and adult worms were found in the cardiopulmonary system of one of the rats. Microscopically, pulmonic lesions, consisting of pulmonary thrombosis, hypertrophy of pulmonary arteries and granulomatous pneumonia were associated with intralesional adults, larvae and embryonated eggs of A. cantonensis. An incidental finding of variably sized (2-7mm) solitary to multiple cysts containing larvae of Taenia taeniaformis were seen in the livers of 57 rats. This report of A. cantonensis in Grenada provides evidence of the further global expansion of this important zoonotic parasite and the public health implications of this discovery is discussed.