Objective: This experiment was undertaken to assess the scope and cost-effectiveness of the fer­mented corn mixture (FCM)-based buffalo fattening approach compared to urea molasses straw (UMS) and silage-based approach.  Materials and Methods: A completely comparative randomized design experiment was con­ducted for 90 days with three treatments and five buffalo bulls in each. UMS, silage, and FCM roughage-based fattening diets were attributed as T1, T2, and T3, respectively. Two types of protein supplements, i.e., Type 1 (Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute-developed) for T1 and T2 and Type 2 (prescribed by farmers) for T3 treatments, were used. All the parameters were analyzed through Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, 20 software.  Results: Dry matter intake (kg, %live weight) was significantly higher in T1 (2.65), followed by T2 (2.34) and T3 (2.00), respectively. The crude protein intake, digestible crude protein intake, and digestible dry matter intake (kg/d) significantly (p < 0.05) differed between T1 and T3, but not T2. The digest­ibility of acid detergent fiber (65.97) was significantly higher for T3 than T1 and T2 (54.44 and 58.73, respectively). Neutral detergent fiber digestibility of T3 (70.35) also differed (p < 0.05) with T1 (60.97) but not T2 (64.78). No difference was observed in the case of growth, but feed conversion ration was found to be significantly (p < 0.05) better in T2 (7.10) than T1 (8.35), where T3 (7.24) was neutral. The significantly (p < 0.001) highest expense [216.37 Bangladesh taka (BDT)/kg gain] was required for T1, followed by T2 and T3 (174.47 and 126.33 BDT/kg gain, respectively). Net profit from T3 and T2 (15,877 and 15,175 BDT, respectively) gained significantly (p < 0.05) higher than T1 (11,265 BDT).  Conclusion: The FCM-based diet was suitable and cost-effective as a buffalo fattening approach. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 8(2): 195-202, June 2021

Objective: This experiment was undertaken to assess the scope and cost-effectiveness of the fer¬mented corn mixture (FCM)-based buffalo fattening approach compared to urea molasses straw (UMS) and silage-based approach. Materials and Methods: A completely comparative randomized design experiment was con¬ducted for 90 days with three treatments and five buffalo bulls in each. UMS, silage, and FCM roughage-based fattening diets were attributed as T1, T2, and T3, respectively. Two types of protein supplements, i.e., Type 1 (Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute-developed) for T1 and T2 and Type 2 (prescribed by farmers) for T3 treatments, were used. All the parameters were analyzed through Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, 20 software. Results: Dry matter intake (kg, %live weight) was significantly higher in T1 (2.65), followed by T2 (2.34) and T3 (2.00), respectively. The crude protein intake, digestible crude protein intake, and digestible dry matter intake (kg/d) significantly (p < 0.05) differed between T1 and T3, but not T2. The digest¬ibility of acid detergent fiber (65.97) was significantly higher for T3 than T1 and T2 (54.44 and 58.73, respectively). Neutral detergent fiber digestibility of T3 (70.35) also differed (p < 0.05) with T1 (60.97) but not T2 (64.78). No difference was observed in the case of growth, but feed conversion ration was found to be significantly (p < 0.05) better in T2 (7.10) than T1 (8.35), where T3 (7.24) was neutral. The significantly (p < 0.001) highest expense [216.37 Bangladesh taka (BDT)/kg gain] was required for T1, followed by T2 and T3 (174.47 and 126.33 BDT/kg gain, respectively). Net profit from T3 and T2 (15,877 and 15,175 BDT, respectively) gained significantly (p < 0.05) higher than T1 (11,265 BDT). Conclusion: The FCM-based diet was suitable and cost-effective as a buffalo fattening approach. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2021; 8(2.000): 195-202]

Objective: Fast foods are often responsible for staphylococcal foodborne illness. The present study was carried out to isolate Staphylococcus spp. from various fast foods sold in Mymensingh and to determine their antibiogram.  Materials and Methods: Overall, 60 samples of fast foods sold in different restaurants were screened by culture, biochemical tests, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to isolate and iden­tify Staphylococcus spp., followed by employing of disk diffusion method to determine their anti­biotic resistance patterns.  Results: Among these 60 samples, 8 [13.33%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 6.91%–24.17%] were positive for Staphylococcus spp. by cultural and biochemical properties. By PCR, four (6.67%, 95% CI: 2.62%–15.93%) isolates were confirmed as Staphylococcus aureus by targeting nuc gene. Additionally, all the S. aureus isolates were coagulase-positive. By antibiogram profiles, all the Staphylococcus isolates exhibited resistance to azithromycin and erythromycin (95% CI: 67.56%– 100.00%), and frequently resistance to cefixime (75%, 95% CI: 40.93%–95.56%), ampicillin (50%, 95% CI: 21.52%–78.48%), and amoxicillin (37.5%, 95% CI: 13.68%–69.43%); moderate to lower resistance was found against cefotaxime, gentamicin, and doxycycline. In addition, all the isolates were sensitive to ciprofloxacin and chloramphenicol. Interestingly, 75% (6/8; 95% CI: 40.93%– 95.56%) isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR) in nature. Furthermore, the indices of multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) were ranged from 0.2 to 0.6.  Conclusion: This study revealed that fast foods sold in restaurants were contaminated with MDR and MAR Staphylococcus isolates, having potential public health significance. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 8(2): 274-281, June 2021

Objective: Fast foods are often responsible for staphylococcal foodborne illness. The present study was carried out to isolate Staphylococcus spp. from various fast foods sold in Mymensingh and to determine their antibiogram. Materials and Methods: Overall, 60 samples of fast foods sold in different restaurants were screened by culture, biochemical tests, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to isolate and iden¬tify Staphylococcus spp., followed by employing of disk diffusion method to determine their anti¬biotic resistance patterns. Results: Among these 60 samples, 8 [13.33%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 6.91%24.17%] were positive for Staphylococcus spp. by cultural and biochemical properties. By PCR, four (6.67%, 95% CI: 2.62%15.93%) isolates were confirmed as Staphylococcus aureus by targeting nuc gene. Additionally, all the S. aureus isolates were coagulase-positive. By antibiogram profiles, all the Staphylococcus isolates exhibited resistance to azithromycin and erythromycin (95% CI: 67.56% 100.00%), and frequently resistance to cefixime (75%, 95% CI: 40.93%95.56%), ampicillin (50%, 95% CI: 21.52%78.48%), and amoxicillin (37.5%, 95% CI: 13.68%69.43%); moderate to lower resistance was found against cefotaxime, gentamicin, and doxycycline. In addition, all the isolates were sensitive to ciprofloxacin and chloramphenicol. Interestingly, 75% (6/8; 95% CI: 40.93% 95.56%) isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR) in nature. Furthermore, the indices of multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) were ranged from 0.2 to 0.6. Conclusion: This study revealed that fast foods sold in restaurants were contaminated with MDR and MAR Staphylococcus isolates, having potential public health significance. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2021; 8(2.000): 274-281]

Objective: The research was conducted to study the effect of a complex antimicrobial drug with an anti-inflammatory effect and an antimicrobial drug with an immunostimulating effect on the parameters of nonspecific resistance in calves.  Materials and Methods: Two groups (n = 5 each) of sick calves with respiratory pathology were selected for this study. For the treatment of the first experimental group, a complex antimicro­bial drug Sulfetrisan® was used. The second experimental group of the calves was intramuscu­larly injected with the experimental drug gentaaminoseleferon (GIA). To assess the cellular com­ponent of immunity in the blood before and after treatment, the number of white blood cells, T-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes, phagocytic activity of leukocytes, phagocytic number, and phago­cytic index (PhI) were determined. In addition, for assessing the humoral component, serum complement activity (SCA), serum lysozyme activity, serum bactericidal activity (SBA), circulating immune complexes (CIC), and total immunoglobulins (total Ig) were measured. The results were compared with the baseline parameters of healthy calves of the control group.  Results: When studying the parameters of the humoral and cellular components of nonspecific resistance, it was found that in sick animals, compared with healthy ones, respiratory pathology was accompanied by an imbalance in the immune system. In the process of recovery in animals of the experimental groups under the effect of the drugs, positive changes occurred. However, many of the studied parameters did not reach the values of healthy animals. In the group of calves that received GIA, compared with the calves given Sulfetrisan®, a significant increase in PhI (p < 0.05), SBA (p < 0.006), SCA (p < 0.05), total Ig (p < 0.0005), and CIC (p < 0.05) was observed, which indi­cated an increase in natural resistance due to the immunostimulating action.  Conclusion: The use of GIA in sick animals added to an increase in the general nonspecific cellular and humoral resistance of calves, which made it possible to increase therapeutic efficacy and shorten their recovery time. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 8(3): 355-360, September 2021 http://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2021.h522

Objective: The research was conducted to study the effect of a complex antimicrobial drug with an anti-inflammatory effect and an antimicrobial drug with an immunostimulating effect on the parameters of nonspecific resistance in calves. Materials and Methods: Two groups (n = 5 each) of sick calves with respiratory pathology were selected for this study. For the treatment of the first experimental group, a complex antimicrobial drug Sulfetrisan® was used. The second experimental group of the calves was intramuscularly injected with the experimental drug gentaaminoseleferon (GIA). To assess the cellular component of immunity in the blood before and after treatment, the number of white blood cells, T-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes, phagocytic activity of leukocytes, phagocytic number, and phagocytic index (PhI) were determined. In addition, for assessing the humoral component, serum complement activity (SCA), serum lysozyme activity, serum bactericidal activity (SBA), circulating immune complexes (CIC), and total immunoglobulins (total Ig) were measured. The results were compared with the baseline parameters of healthy calves of the control group. Results: When studying the parameters of the humoral and cellular components of nonspecific resistance, it was found that in sick animals, compared with healthy ones, respiratory pathology was accompanied by an imbalance in the immune system. In the process of recovery in animals of the experimental groups under the effect of the drugs, positive changes occurred. However, many of the studied parameters did not reach the values of healthy animals. In the group of calves that received GIA, compared with the calves given Sulfetrisan®, a significant increase in PhI (p < 0.05), SBA (p < 0.006), SCA (p < 0.05), total Ig (p < 0.0005), and CIC (p < 0.05) was observed, which indi¬cated an increase in natural resistance due to the immunostimulating action. Conclusion: The use of GIA in sick animals added to an increase in the general nonspecific cellular and humoral resistance of calves, which made it possible to increase therapeutic efficacy and shorten their recovery time. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2021; 8(3.000): 355-360]

Objective: Phuchka is one of the most common street foods in Bangladesh. It is served with salad, sweet and sour tamarind dispersed water, and minced eggs as topping at places where people usually gather. This makes these foods susceptible to bacterial contamination. Therefore, assess­ing the bacterial load and antimicrobial profile of organisms isolated from phuchka and other foodstuffs served with it was the focus of this study.  Materials and Methods: Bacterial isolates were isolated and identified from the samples after the bacterial loads were assessed as total viable count (TVC), total coliform count (TCC), and total staphylococcal count (TSC). The antibiotic resistance profile of the isolates was obtained using the disk diffusion method. Molecular detection of Escherichia coli isolates and the presence of gene responsible for tetracycline resistance was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction.  Results: According to the recommendations, the TVC value of 70% phuchka and egg samples was safe, whereas TSC value illustrated that 80% of both phuchka and egg samples were at safety level. For the TCC value, 80% egg and 70% phuchka samples were found to be safe for consump­tion. Among all the samples, the microbial loads of the vendors’ hand wash were least in the safety level. Antibiotic sensitivity tests revealed that both Staphylococcus spp. and E. coli isolates were sensitive to gentamicin and ciprofloxacin but showed resistance to ampicillin.  Conclusion: The data of this study indicate that phuchka can pose a public health problem as foodborne bacterial isolates which are antibiotic-resistant are found in it. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 8(3): 361-366, September 2021 http://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2021.h523

Objective: Phuchka is one of the most common street foods in Bangladesh. It is served with salad, sweet and sour tamarind dispersed water, and minced eggs as topping at places where people usually gather. This makes these foods susceptible to bacterial contamination. Therefore, assessing the bacterial load and antimicrobial profile of organisms isolated from phuchka and other foodstuffs served with it was the focus of this study. Materials and Methods: Bacterial isolates were isolated and identified from the samples after the bacterial loads were assessed as total viable count (TVC), total coliform count (TCC), and total staphylococcal count (TSC). The antibiotic resistance profile of the isolates was obtained using the disk diffusion method. Molecular detection of Escherichia coli isolates and the presence of gene responsible for tetracycline resistance was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. Results: According to the recommendations, the TVC value of 70% phuchka and egg samples was safe, whereas TSC value illustrated that 80% of both phuchka and egg samples were at safety level. For the TCC value, 80% egg and 70% phuchka samples were found to be safe for consumption. Among all the samples, the microbial loads of the vendors hand wash were least in the safety level. Antibiotic sensitivity tests revealed that both Staphylococcus spp. and E. coli isolates were sensitive to gentamicin and ciprofloxacin but showed resistance to ampicillin. Conclusion: The data of this study indicate that phuchka can pose a public health problem as foodborne bacterial isolates which are antibiotic-resistant are found in it. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2021; 8(3.000): 361-366]

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the prevalence and antibiogram of Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistance S. aureus (MRSA) in rabbits, rabbit handlers, and rabbitry envi­ronments in Terengganu.  Materials and Methods: Swab samples from 183 rabbits (183 oral and 183 ear swabs), 45 rab­bit handlers (45 oral and 45 nasal), and environmental (n = 180) samples from rabbitries were collected from 10 rabbit farms in Terengganu. The associated S. aureus isolates from the swabs were isolated using phenotypic microbiology tests. The bacteria were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction targeting nuc (S. aureus) and mecA (MRSA) genes. The antibiogram of all S. aureus isolates was determined using the Kirby–Bauer test.  Results: Staphylococcus aureus was detected in 19% of rabbits, 26.7% of rabbit handlers, and 8.8% of swabs from the rabbitry environment. However, MRSA (0%) could not be detected. Antibiotic susceptibility test revealed that S. aureus from rabbits showed low resistance (<20%) against 15 different antibiotics while fully susceptible to 4 antibiotics. Meanwhile, S. aureus from rabbit han­dlers showed high resistance against penicillin (86%), oxacillin (64%), and amoxicillin (50%).  Conclusions: This study suggests the emergence of antibiotic-resistant S. aureus in rabbit farms settings. Therefore, careful selection of antimicrobial agents will be essential to preserve the effectiveness of treatments toward S. aureus infections. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 8(3): 388-395, September 2021 http://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2021.h527

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the prevalence and antibiogram of Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistance S. aureus (MRSA) in rabbits, rabbit handlers, and rabbitry environments in Terengganu. Materials and Methods: Swab samples from 183 rabbits (183 oral and 183 ear swabs), 45 rabbit handlers (45 oral and 45 nasal), and environmental (n = 180) samples from rabbitries were collected from 10 rabbit farms in Terengganu. The associated S. aureus isolates from the swabs were isolated using phenotypic microbiology tests. The bacteria were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction targeting nuc (S. aureus) and mecA (MRSA) genes. The antibiogram of all S. aureus isolates was determined using the KirbyBauer test. Results: Staphylococcus aureus was detected in 19% of rabbits, 26.7% of rabbit handlers, and 8.8% of swabs from the rabbitry environment. However, MRSA (0%) could not be detected. Antibiotic susceptibility test revealed that S. aureus from rabbits showed low resistance ( [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2021; 8(3.000): 388-395]