Bluetongue in India: a systematic review and meta-analysis with emphasis on diagnosis and seroprevalence

Bluetongue (BT) is an infectious viral disease which affects a wide range of ruminants and was first reported in India in 1964. In view of the absence of comprehensive information on the BT status in India, this study presents the seroprevalence on BT in farm animals of India based-on a systematic review and meta-analysis. A systematic review was conducted to identify the published articles (2001–2018) reporting the seroprevalence of BT in sheep, goats, cattle, buffalo, camels, and Mithun (Bos frontalis) from India. From 409 research articles, 71 fulfilled the inclusion criteria and meta-analysis for proportions was carried out targeting the eligible studies. From these, 144 strata level data were extracted with a sample size of 14048 sheep, 14696 goats, 5218 cattle, 2653 buffaloes, 2062 camels, and 222 Mithun. Overall, the analyses showed that the BT seroprevalence of 43% (95% CI: 38–49%) in goats, 39% (95% CI: 33–46%) in sheep, 38% (95% CI: 25–45%) in cattle, 34% (95% CI: 20–51%) in buffaloes, 16% (95% CI: 10–22%) in camels, and 66% (95% CI: 17–95%) in Mithun. Furthermore, the meta-regression analysis suggested that serological tests, geographical region, and sample size were the prime moderators. Meta-analytic study indicates the BT seropositivity in 25.35 million sheep (95% CI: 21.5–29.9), 58 million goats (95% CI: 51.3–66.2), 66.8 million cattle (95% CI: 47.7–86), 37.0 million buffaloes (95% CI: 21.7–55.4), 0.06 million camels (95% CI: 0.04–0.09), and 0.19 million Mithun (95% CI: 0.05–0.28). The findings highlight the variation of BT seropositivity in different geographical regions of India.

Carbapenem resistant Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in captive blackbucks (Antilope cervicapra) and leopards (Panthera pardus) from India

The study aimed to investigate the occurrence of carbapenem resistant E. coli and P. aeruginosa in apparently healthy, captive blackbucks and leopards of India. Faecal samples of blackbucks (n = 7) and leopards (n = 7) were processed to isolate carbapenem resistant E. coli (CRE) and P. aeruginosa (CRP). Forty (leopards n = 26; blackbuck n = 14) E. coli and two P. aeruginosa (blackbuck n = 2) samples were isolated from the faecal samples (n = 14). Eleven carbapenem resistant isolates were recovered, of which 10 were CRE and one was CRP. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined for meropenem for carbapenem resistant isolates and was between 8 and 64 μg/mL. All the CRE and CRP were phenotypically multidrug resistant, and six CRE were extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) producers. On genotypic screening, seven CRE and one CRP were positive for the blaNDM carbapenemase gene. Efflux pump-mediated carbapenem resistance was noticed in four CRE isolates (36.4%, 4/11). Of the six ESBL producing CRE, four isolates carried blaCTX-M-1 genes. The CRE isolates also harbored blaTEM-1, blaAmpC, qnrA, qnrB, qnrS, tetA, tetB and sul1 resistance genes. On Shiga toxin virulence screening, Stx1, Stx2 genes were detected in two and one isolates, respectively. Plasmid typing of CRE revealed that the blaNDM genes were carried on an Incl1 plasmid. The plasmid multilocus sequence typing (pMLST) of the isolates showed the Sequence Type (ST) 297. The occurrence of carbapenem resistance bacteria in captive wildlife should be a major public health priority.

Faecal carriage of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and New Delhi metallo beta-lactamase(NDM) producing Escherichia coli between piglets and pig farmworkers

A cross-sectional study on five organized pig farms was conducted to assess the faecal carriage of ESBL and blaNDM carbapenemase-producing E. coli in piglets and pig farmworkers. Faecal samples from piglets (n = 155) and pig farmworkers (n = 21) were processed for isolation and characterization of E. coli. A total of 124 E. coli isolates from piglets and 21 E. coli isolates pig farmworkers were recovered and screening for ESBL production showed that 44.4 % (55/124) of the isolates from piglets and 42.9 % (9/21) of the isolates from farmworkers were ESBL positive. The ESBL positive isolates from piglets and farmworkers harbored blaCTX-M and also co-harbored other beta-lactams, sulphonamide, quinolone and tetracycline resistance genes. Diarrhoeic (50%, 49/98) and crossbred piglets (52.7%, 39/74) harbored a significantly higher number of ESBL producing isolates than non-diarrhoeic (23.1 %, 6/26) and purebred piglets (32%, 16/50) (p < 0.05). Piglets and pig farmworkers harbored nine and two carbapenem-resistant isolates, respectively. Interestingly, two isolates from piglets and one isolate from farmworkers harbored the blaNDM gene. The blaNDM positive E. coli isolated from piglets and farmworkers of the same farm revealed similar antibacterial resistance patterns, resistant genes, sequence (ST-167) and plasmid type (IncX3). In India, carbapenems are not used in food animal treatment, hence carbapenem resistant E. coli in piglets possibly originated from the human contact or common environment and is of public health importance.

Antimicrobial resistance pattern of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli isolated from fecal samples of piglets and pig farm workers of selected organized farms of India

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli are gradually increasing worldwide and carry a serious public threat. This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial resistance pattern of ESBL-producing E. coli isolated from fecal samples of piglets and pig farm workers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fecal samples from <3-month-old piglets (n=156) and farm workers (n=21) were processed for the isolation of ESBL-producing E. coli in MacConkey agar added with 1 µg/mL of cefotaxime. E. coli (piglets=124; farm workers=21) were tested for ESBL production by combined disk method and ESBL E-strip test. Each of the ESBL-positive isolate was subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing. The ESBL-producing E. coli were further processed for genotypic confirmation to CTX-M gene.

RESULTS

A total of 55 (44.4%, 55/124) and nine (42.9%, 9/21) ESBL-producing E. coli were isolated from piglets and farm workers, respectively. Antibiotic susceptibility testing of the ESBL-positive E. coli isolates from piglets and farm workers showed 100% resistance to ceftazidime, cefotaxime, cefotaxime/clavulanic acid, ceftazidime/clavulanic acid, and cefpodoxime. A proportion of 100% (55/55) and 88.9% (8/9) ESBL-positive E. coli were multidrug resistance (MDR) in piglets and farm workers, respectively. On genotypic screening of the ESBL E. coli isolated from piglets (n=55), 15 were positive for the bla CTX-M gene and of the nine ESBL E. coli from farm workers, none were positive for the bla CTX-M gene.

CONCLUSION

Although there was no significant difference in isolation of ESBL-producing E. coli between piglets and farm workers, the ESBL-positive E. coli from piglets showed relatively higher MDR than farm workers.