Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Escherichia coli, Salmonella and Vibrio Derived from Farm-Raised Red Hybrid Tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) and Asian Sea Bass (Lates calcarifer, Bloch 1970) on the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

Antibiotics are widely used in intensive fish farming, which in turn increases the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria in the aquatic environment. The current study investigates the prevalence and determines the antimicrobial susceptibility of E. coli, Salmonella, and Vibrio in farmed fishes on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Over a period of 12 months, 32 aquaculture farms from the Malaysian states of Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, and Perak were sampled. Both E. coli and Salmonella were highly resistant to erythromycin, ampicillin, tetracycline, and trimethoprim, while Vibrio was highly resistant to ampicillin and streptomycin. Resistance to the antibiotics listed as the highest priority and critically important for human therapy, such as colistin in E. coli (18.1%) and Salmonella (20%) in fish, is a growing public health concern. The multi-drug resistance (MDR) levels of E. coli and Salmonella in tilapia were 46.5% and 77.8%, respectively. Meanwhile, the MDR levels of E. coli, Salmonella, V. parahaemolyticus, V. vulnificus and V. cholerae in Asian seabass were 34%, 100%, 21.6%, 8.3% and 16.7%, respectively. Our findings provide much-needed information on AMR in aquaculture settings that can be used to tailor better strategies for the use of antibiotics in aquaculture production at the local and regional levels.

Salmonella in native "village" chickens (Gallus domesticus): prevalence and risk factors from farms in South-Central Peninsular Malaysia.

Village chicken or Ayam Kampung, common to Southeast Asian countries, has always been regarded as superior in comparison to commercial broiler chicken in terms of wholesomeness and health benefits. The current study investigates the prevalence and risk factors of Salmonella among village chicken flocks from the central and southern states of Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 35 village flocks were sampled from Selangor (n = 19), Melaka (n = 10), Johor (n = 4), and Negeri Sembilan (n = 2). In total, 1,042 samples were collected; these included cloacal swabs (n = 675), eggs (n = 62), pooled drinking water (n = 175), pooled feeds (n = 70), and pooled flies (n = 60). Isolation of Salmonella from cloacal swabs, poultry drinking water, and feeds was carried out according to the protocols and recommendations of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) terrestrial manual. The prevalence of Salmonella at an individual bird-level was 2.5% (17/675, 95% CI: 1.6 to 4.0). All eggs screened were negative; in the case of environmental samples, however, Salmonella was detected in 5.14% (9/175), 7.14% (5/70), and 5.0% (3/60) for water, feed, and flies, respectively. A total of 34 isolates and 8 Salmonella serotypes were identified. Weltevreden (20.6%) was the most common, followed by Typhimurium and Agona (17.6%), Albany and Enteritidis (8.8%), Molade (5.9%), Corvallis and Schleissheim (2.9%), and others grouped as Salmonella spp. (11.8%). Multivariable logistic regression models revealed that Salmonella positivity among flocks could be strongly predicted by storage of feeds (uncovered feeds; OR = 10.38; 95% CI: 1.25 to 86.39; p = 0.030) and uncovered water tanks (uncovered tank; OR = 6.43; 95% CI: 1.02 to 40.60; p = 0.048). The presence of Salmonella in village chickens in the study area was lower than that of commercial chickens in Malaysia.

Systematic review on international practices in controlling waterpipe tobacco smoking.

BACKGROUND: Waterpipe tobacco smoking has becoming popular especially among young people worldwide. Smokers are attracted by its sweeter, smoother smoke, social ambience and the misconception of reduced harm. The objective of this study was to systematically review the effects of waterpipe tobacco policies and practices in reducing its prevalence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review was conducted electronically using the PubMed, OVID, Science Direct, Proquest and Embase databases. All possible studies from 1980 to 2013 were initially screened based on titles and abstracts. The selected articles were subjected to data extraction and quality rating. RESULTS: Three studies met the inclusion criteria and were eligible for this review. Almost all of the waterpipe tobacco products and its accessories did not comply with the regulations on health warning labelling practices as stipulated under Article 11 of WHO FCTC. In addition, the grisly new warning labels for cigarettes introduced by Food and Drug Administration did not affect hookah tobacco smoking generally. Indoor air quality in smoking lounges was found to be poor and some hookah lounges were operated without smoke shop certification. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings revealed the availability of minimal information on the practices in controlling waterpipe smoking in reducing its prevalence. The lack of comprehensive legislations or practices in controlling waterpipe smoking warrants further research and policy initiatives to curb this burgeoning global epidemic, especially among the vulnerable younger population.