Nur Indah Ahmad

Campylobacter and Salmonella are widely recognized as significant causes of foodborne diseases, with poultry and poultry products being the most frequent sources of infection in humans. Rapid, simultaneous detection of both pathogens can prevent contaminated food from entering the human food chain. The present study aimed to simultaneously detect Salmonella and Campylobacter spp. directly from faeces of broiler chickens aged 4 to 5 weeks by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR). The suitability of the PCR protocol using pairs of primers targeting the invA and cadF genes was evaluated to detect Salmonella and Campylobacter spp., respectively, from 15 samples. The specificity of the PCR assay was 100% for both pathogens, as no positive cross-reactions were detected with non-targeted bacteria. The limit of detection for pure culture of Salmonella was 1 CFU/mL, whereas for Campylobacter it was 101 CFU/mL. Incubation of spiked faeces in brain heart infusion broth for 24 to 48 hours maintained a detection limit of 1 CFU/mL for Salmonella; however, the sensitivity decreased, resulting in a detection limit of 10² CFU/mL for Campylobacter. Simultaneous detection from 15 chicken faecal samples revealed two samples co-carrying both Salmonella and Campylobacter spp., four samples positive for Salmonella, six samples positive for Campylobacter, and three samples were negative for both pathogens. The developed mPCR protocol in the present study was highly specific and sensitive for detecting Salmonella and Campylobacter spp. directly from chicken faeces, achieving results in under 36 hours compared to the conventional culture method. The mPCR protocol can benefit veterinary and public health authorities during epidemiological investigations and rapid diagnostic purposes, which require timely confirmation of the disease status in chickens during the grow period. Keywords: Campylobacter, Faeces, Multiplex PCR, Salmonella, Simultaneous detection

Background: Epidemiological study of pets in Malaysia as reservoirs for antimicrobial resistant bacteria is unknown. Objectives: This study aims to determine the extended‐spectrum beta‐lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli from rectal swabs pet cats and dogs in the central region of Peninsular Malaysia. Materials and Methods: A cross‐sectional study on physically healthy pet cats and dogs was conducted in the Klang Valley between 2019 and 2020. Rectal swabs were collected for ESBL‐producing E . coli identification and detection. A questionnaire was used to collect pet data, and univariable and multivariable analysis was conducted to determine risk factors ESBL‐producing E. coli detection. Results: A total of 160 rectal swabs were collected from physically healthy pets in the Klang Valley, with 6.8% ( n = 11) dogs and 3.8% ( n = 6) cats were positive for ESBL‐producing E. coli (10.6%). The highest resistance demonstrated by the ESBL isolates was towards ampicillin, cephalexin and cefotaxime (100%). Multiple‐drug resistance of the ESBL‐isolates was high, with 91.7% ( n = 22) and 68.8% ( n = 11) in dogs and cats. The most predominant ESBL genes was bla _CTX‐M (43.2%). None of these isolates carried bla _SHV . Dogs were four times more likely to carry ESBL‐producing E. coli in their faeces compared to cats. ESBL‐producing E. coli carriage was positively associated in dogs, among pets sharing feeding area or pets with a history of gastrointestinal symptoms. Conclusion: ESBL‐producing E. coli in cats and dogs in Malaysia was determined at 10.6%, with dogs at a greater risk of carrying the bacteria. Co‐resistance to more than three types of tested antibiotics for the ESBL‐producing E. coli isolated was high. Pets act as reservoirs for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and resistance genes that can be shared with human through interactions. Antimicrobial stewardship remains critical to safeguard not only antibiotics but also the health of pets and humans.

Salmonella is one of the most important pathogens affecting animal and human health. With more than 2600 serotypes ubiquitous in nature, Salmonella is found worldwide, causing salmonellosis in humans…

Human stress levels escalated amid the COVID-19 epidemic as a result of restrictions on social interactions and movement. Furthermore, due to the lack of awareness about the disease's characteristics, numerous cases of violations of animal welfare occurred. The study is focused on the macro-level analysis regarding the impact of COVID-19 on human-pet interactions in Malaysia and Indonesia. A total of 1,829 tweets related to human-pet interactions during COVID-19 were retrieved from Twitter between March 17th and September 17th, 2020. Natural Language Toolkit (NLTK) was utilized to analyze the tweets with human moderation. The analysis revealed a large number of neutral and positive sentiments in the initial stage of the study. Later, positive public sentiment (50%, n = 27/54) rose in Malaysia significantly as the Twitter users were demanding justice for the abused animals. Meanwhile, the sentiments in Indonesia were predominantly both neutral (42%, n = 52/123) and positive (34%, n = 42/123), with the sentiment shifting after an incidence of animal cruelty went viral. Following a study in the United Kingdom reporting positive COVID-19 cases in cats, an upward trend in negative public reaction was observed in Malaysia (35%, n = 7/20) and Indonesia (48.8%, n = 40/82). In conclusion, the public sentiment regarding the impact of COVID-19 on human-pet interactions affects individuals due to the associated health risks.

One Health problem-based learning (PBL) is known as an effective method in teaching zoonotic diseases. However, the classic classroom setting limits real-life exposure for students. Simulation-based learning may improve the learning experience without exposing the students to unnecessary risks. Hence, this study aimed to assess the effectiveness of field simulation PBL compared to a classic classroom setting using a module developed based on the One Health concept by examining the students’ reactions to the learning and by assessing the students’ performance. A quasi-experimental design was adopted in this study. Veterinary and medical undergraduate students participated in both types of PBL settings, and their knowledge and satisfaction were evaluated through a pre- and post-test as well as a feedback survey. The mean satisfaction score of students undergoing field simulation was significantly higher than the mean satisfaction score of students undergoing classic PBL ( p > .05). The respondents from both programs found the field simulation, in comparison to classic PBL, was more effective, and they were more satisfied with the overall learning experience, workloads, and facilitation. The attainment of the cognitive domain was comparable between both PBL groups, which was possibly due to the type of assessment used. In conclusion, field simulation enhanced the students’ positive learning experiences as they exhibited better attitudes toward learning. Future studies on the impact of the simulation on long-term knowledge retention and psychomotor skills are thus warranted.

Rumen flukes cause heavy economic losses in the ruminant industry worldwide, especially in tropical and subtropical countries. This study estimated the prevalence of rumen flukes in buffaloes, identified the species diversity, and determined risk factors associated with rumen fluke prevalence in Perak, Peninsular Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted, and 321 faecal samples were collected from six buffalo farms. A structured questionnaire was developed, and farmers were interviewed to obtain information regarding risk factors associated with rumen fluke infection. The faecal samples were examined using sedimentation and Flukefinder® techniques. Genomic DNA was extracted from the fluke eggs recovered using the Flukefinder® method, and the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) fragment was amplified and sequenced to facilitate species identification. The results showed that the overall prevalence of rumen fluke across the sampled farms was 40.2% (129/321). Three rumen fluke species were identified, namely, Fischoederius elongatus, F. cobboldi, and Orthocoelium streptocoelium. Several management factors had a significant association (P < 0.05) with rumen fluke prevalence, including production type, cleaning of the stable, drinking water system, flooding around the farm, grazing system, pasture sharing with other livestock, and deworming program. This work constitutes the first attempt to understand the epidemiology of rumen fluke infection in the region and suggests that good farm management, pasture management, choosing appropriate drugs, and proper husbandry practices may improve buffalo health and production in areas where rumen flukes are prevalent.

Mohd-Qawiem F, et al. J Vet Sci. 2024 Nov;25:e81. https://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.24098

Angiostrongylus malaysiensisis a potential zoonotic parasite, which reported to co‐occur withA. cantonensisin human cerebrospinal fluid. It is a heteroxenous nematode that primarily develops through the early larval stages in gastropods and attains sexual maturity within rats. This study was conducted to determine the host species responsible for the reservoir ofA. malaysiensisand investigate the risk factor for transmission among the hosts in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Sampling was conducted in six recreational parks. The rats were trapped alive using steel wire traps with bait, while the gastropods were collected by active searching. The rats were euthanized and dissected to collect any adult worms observed. The molecular detection ofA. malaysiensiswas performed by PCR on gastropod tissue samples. Biotic and landscape factors were recorded for risk factor analysis. In total, 82 rats and 330 gastropods were collected throughout the study. Overall, 3.64% of gastropods and 32.9% of rats were infected withA. malaysiensis.Rattus tiomanicus(Malayan wood rat) andParmarion martensi(Yellow‐shelled semi‐slug) were found as important hosts forA. malaysiensis. Host species, sampling site and macrohabitat type are risk factors associated with the prevalence ofA. malaysiensisinfection in rats. For gastropods, host species and sampling site are risk factors that correlate with the parasite detection. In total, 128 adultA. malaysiensiswere recovered from the infected rats. The mean intensity of infection with adultA. malaysiensiswas 4.65 forRattus rattuscomplex and 4.90 forR. tiomanicus. Adult worms were found in the pulmonary artery or right ventricle, while eggs and first‐stage larvae were found in capillaries of the caudal lung lobe. Infected lungs showed extravasated red blood cells in the alveolar spaces. The pulmonary arteries in the infected lung lobe were thickened. Kepong Metropolitan Park is the hotspot area forA. malaysiensisin Kuala Lumpur. These results provide essential information for public health officials to develop targeted interventions to reduce the transmission ofA. malaysiensisin urban areas, particularly in recreational parks.