The occurrence of veterinary drug residues in chicken meat originating from 320 small and medium scale chicken slaughterhouses in Peninsular Malaysia was determined. 637 chicken meat samples were examined for tetracycline (TCs), sulphonamide (SAs) and quinolone residues using a microbiological inhibition test and was further confirmed using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LCMS/MS). The presence of TC residues were confirmed in 10 (1.6%) samples, and 1 (0.2%)sample was confirmed in compliance to the established maximum residue limit (MRL) for residues of quinolone. A total of 6 (0.9%) samples were above the MRL for TC. The samples were from Pulau Pinang, Terengganu and Kelantan. Among those tested in compliance, the main analytes found for TC and quinolone werechlortetracyclines (CTC), enrofloxacin and mixture of chlortetracycline (CTC) and oxytetracycline (OTC). No samples were found to contain sulfonamides residues.

Colibacillosis is a disease caused by avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) and is one of the principle cause of morbidity and mortality in poultry worldwide which is represented by a complex syndrome characterized by multiple organ lesions. This study was carried out to determine phylogenetic grouping and virulenceassociated genes contained by E. coli isolates which is related in causing disease in chicken. E. coli isolates obtained from clinical cases of Veterinary ResearchInstitute were re-identified by conventional methods. Phylogenetic grouping of the isolates was determined by triplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the presence of eight virulence genes were identified by multiplex PCR. A total of 125 E. coli isolates were subjected toanalysis of phylogenetic background and virulence associated genes profiling. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that most of the E. coli isolated from chicken in this study belonged to group B1 (36.0%),group D (28.0%), group A (27.2%) and group B2 (8.8%). Multiplex PCR analysis demonstrated that 96 (78.6%) of the E. coli isolates harbored at least one virulencegene, while 29 (23.3%) did not contain any virulence genes tested. The most prevalent virulence genes identified were iss (51.2%), followed by iucD (36.0%),tsh (32.8%), vat (16.0%), astA (13.6%), irp2 (11.2%), papC (9.6%) and the least is cva/cvi gene (0%). None of the isolates harbored more than four virulence genes.Each of phylogenetic groups presented with different combinations of virulence genes, with no specific combinations of virulence genes found to correlate withE. coli phylogroups. None of the E. coli isolates harbored more than four virulence genes, suggesting that E. coli isolates from chicken in this study appear to bederived from commensal strains and may relate to environmental predispose factors especially stress factors in the host to establish infection.

A study was carried out to detect and identify the presence of coccidia oocysts in the faeces of village chicken from the district of Pasir Putih, Kelantan, West Malaysia. A total of 135 fecal samples were collected from 15 areas in the Pasir PutihDistrict. The faecal samples were examined by direct smear method (qualitative study). A pinch of the faeces was put onto the glassslide with 1-2 drops of normal saline and cover slip, which was then observed under the compound microscope to detect thecoccidia oocysts. The presence of coccidia oocyst was then identified by its size and shape. Results showed that ten out of 135 samples were positive for coccidia oocysts, and classified as Eimeria maxima and Eimeria mitis, both of which are from two locations at Kampung Chap Banir, Pasir Putih, Kelantan. The remaining 125 samples were observed to be negative. This may suggest that the chickens reared in the backyard (extensive)are less susceptible to the coccidia infection due to their environment with lower stocking density (mostly free ranging chicken), and no damp/wet litter as bedding which canfacilitate sporulation of the coccicia oocyst thereby spreading the infection. Further studies need to be done to elucididate other factors which may affect coccidial infections in free range chicken such as the availability of medications in feed or genetic hardiness and tolerance to field infections. The localvillage chicken industry is an up and coming facet of the poultry industry and needs concerted efforts to boost it.

Data over a period of eleven years was analysed for Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) virus isolated from chicken samples submit ted to the Regional Veterinary Laboratory at Bukit Tengah, Malaysia (RVLBT) for diagnosis. A total of 247 suspect IBD cases were tested by Virology Section, RVLBT between years of 2006 to 2016. IBD virus has been isolated by using Agar Gel Precipitation Test (AGPT), a bursal homogenate which has been used as an antigen against a known positive antiserum. About 27 cases (11%) from a total of 247 suspect cases in chickens were positive for the presence of IBD. The rate of IBD may be influenced by age of chickens with an increase in the possibility of IBD occurring in chicken older than 3 weeks. Apart from that, both broiler and local chickens are highly susceptible to this disease. Therefore, awareness on the existing IBD cases indicates the importance of strict management procedures, proper management programmes, vaccination and immunisation for chickens in Malaysia.

Colibacillosis is animportant disease affecting the poultryindustry in many countries, caused bythe Avian Pathogenic E. coli (APEC):it manifests as various clinical signs. Itcontributes significantly to economicloss for poultry farmers as a result ofhigh mortality and morbidity in poultry.To overcome this, antibiotics have beenwidely used to eliminate E. coli infectionin poultry farms in recent years. Treatmentwith antibiotics has been considered as avital regimen to control E. coli infectionat the farm level for many years. However,high frequency of antibiotic resistance ofE. coli isolates from chicken has becomethe centre of attention due to public healthimportance. The aim of the present study isto determine the multidrug resistant profilesof E. coli strains isolated from chicken.E. coli isolates obtained from clinicalcases were re-identified and classified byconventional methods. Multidrug resistantprofiles against 13 different antibiotics of125 E. coli isolates were determined byusing disk diffusion method accordingto Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute(CLSI). Antibiogram revealed that 81.6%of the E. coli isolates showed multidrugresistant profiles to different antibiotics.Most of the E.coli isolates were highlyresistant to erythromycin (52.8%), followedwith tetracycline (52.0%), spectinomycin(39.2%), trimethoprim (38.4%) andflumequin (37.6%). Out of 125 isolatestested, 19.2% were resistant to more thaneight antibiotics, with one isolates found tobe multidrug resistant to most of antibioticsexcept polymyxin B. These findings alsodemonstrated that most of the isolateswere susceptible to antibiotics commonlyused for E.coli infections treatment inpoultry with lowest resistant score againstpolymyxin B (92.8%) and colistin (92.0%).Moderate resistant profiles were observedtowards amoxycilin (25.6%), apramycin(16%), kanamycin (8.8%) and streptomycin(8.0%). High percentage of multidrugresistance was found among the E. coliisolated from chicken as an indicator tomore serious problems in animal health.Therefore, continuous surveillance of antibiotic resistance profiles in chicken andother food animals is crucial to ensure foodchain safety

Malaysia has experienced four waves of H5N1 outbreak but no humandeaths were recorded which is in 2004, 2006, 2007 and latest outbreak in 2017 at Kelantan. The objective of this paper is tocollect, analyse and summarise the data of HPAI cases from the outbreak from 1 March to 22 June 2017. A total of 1,634 cases, 8,544 samples were received at the Registration Unit and Virology Section, Regional Veterinary Laboratory in Kota Bharu (RVLKB) for diagnosis and surveillance of H5N1 during this period. The samples received were pooled organs and intestines from post-mortem (41 cases) and cloaca swabs in tryptose phosphate buffer from surveillance (1,593 cases), which were sent to RVL, Kota Bharu and Veterinary Research Institute, Ipoh, Perak (VRI). They were processed and diagnosed using quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (RT qPCR) technique to detect and subtyping of the virus. Total positive cases for H5N1 were 53 out of 1,634 with 18 diagnostic cases and 35 surveillance cases. All positive cases during outbreak were detected from 43 locations from six districts of Kota Bharu, Bachok, Pasir Puteh, Pasir Mas, Tumpat and Tanah Merah, with 19 locations in Kota Bharu which is thehighest affected by H5N1, seven locations in Bachok, four in Pasir Putih, six in PasirMas, six in Tumpat and one in Tanah Merah. Many factors could have led to the acute spread of the virus between the districts like chicken smuggling, legal and illegal poultry trade, migration of infected wild birds and others. Understanding the source of outbreak and how it spread is important to control, eradicate and prevent the spread of the disease as it is zoonotic and infects human.

Ever since infectious bursal disease (IBD) was recognised in Nigeria over forty years ago, it continues to pose a threat to poultry production with limited information on the likely role of other avian species especially those raised in close proximity with chickens. For this study, blood samples were obtained from184 unvaccinated apparently healthy birds comprised of Japanese quails (63) andindigenous chickens (60) on smallholdings as well as pigeons (61) in a live-bird market in Osun and Oyo states, southwest Nigeria.Sera from these birds were analysed for IBD virus antibodies using a commercial ELISA kit. Overall, 69 (37.5%) sera were positive for IBDV with 52.8% (65/184) and 6.6% (4/184)from birds on smallholdings and live-bird market, respectively. These findings indicate that these birds were sub-clinically infected and could serve as reservoirs shedding the virus into the environment and perhaps, corroborate the suggestion that the inability to effectively control or eradicate the disease from poultry flocks in Nigeria may be due to limited information on the contributions of other avian species other than chicken in the spread of IBD virus.

This study was conducted to observe the occurrence of aflatoxin in chicken feed from Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 336 samples of chicken feed from Peninsular Malaysia were conveniently collected in this survey. The chicken feed represented the following three categories which are starter, grower and finisher. All samples werecollected from local poultry farms in East Coast Region (Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang), Northern Region (Perlis, Kedah, Penang, and Perak), Southern Region (Malacca, Johor) and Central Region (Selangor, Negeri Sembilan) of Peninsular Malaysia for a periodof six months (July-December 2015). Enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for screening of total aflatoxin (TA) in the samples. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detector was used for determination of aflatoxin B and G. Moisture content of samples was determined using the hot airoven method (AOAC International, 2011). Overall, the incidence of positive TA >20 µg/kg in chicken feed is 14.9% (50 samples). The average level of TA was found significantly different between different states at p<0.05 for both broiler grower and finisher. Thechromatograph results showed that positive samples were found in broiler finisher from Kedah (94.6 µg/kg and 42.1 µg/kg) and Penang(56.4 µg/kg) with aflatoxin B1. In this study, the range of moisture content were around 6.5-27.3%. About 40% samples have more than12% moisture content. One of the predisposing factors for aflatoxin accumulation in chicken feed is moisture content. The results warrantthe need for surveillance and constant monitoring programmes for the prevention of aflatoxin incidence in poultry farms.

A total of 65 Pasteurella multocida were isolated and identified from various animal’s samples received by Veterinary Research Institute (VRI) during the period of 2014 to 2016. These animals comprises of cattle, goat, pig, chicken, duck and rabbit. The serogroup of Pasteurella multocida were carried out using designation system of Carter’s capsular typing and molecular serogrouping method. Based on cases submitted to VRI, the prevalence of pasteurellosis in Malaysia ranging from 1.0% to 3.2% (2014 to 2016). It is low compared to previous reports and the pattern of predominant serogroups and animal hosts were found to be changing every year. In 2014, 80% (12/15) of the isolates were Pasteurella multocida Carter’s type D where all were isolated from goats. In 2015, the predominant serogroup changed to Pasteurella multocida Carter’s type A with a prevalence rate of 40.6% (13/32) which were mostly isolated from duck and cattle. While for Pasteurella multocida Carter’s type D, the prevalence in 2015 reduced to 21.9% (7/32) compared to the previous year and it was isolated from various animal species. Interestingly, in 2015 there was one isolate of Pasteurella multocida Carter’s type B isolated from goat with no reported history of outbreak. In 2016, the prevalence of Pasteurella multocida Carter’s type A increased to 72.2% (13/18), with a high percentage (92.3%) infection in young calves showing clinical signs with high mortality and morbidity in infected farms. Furthermore, during these 3 years of study, 3 isolates of Pasteurella multocida serogroup F were also identified each from pig, goat and chicken, respectively. In conclusion, this study revealed that pasteurellosis had become sporadic in Malaysia and the distribution of serogroups were diverse in all species of animal with no definitive host.

Monitoring of veterinary drug residues in chicken, swine and cattle was conducted in Peninsular Malaysia from 2010 to 2016. Tissue samples were collected from slaughterhouses and processing plants. A total of six groups of veterinary drugs were analysed in 8,708 samples using bioassay or immunoassay and LCMS method. The average violation rate was 3.4%, 2.5%, 1.9%, 0.8%, 1.6% and 2.7% for year 2010, 2011 and 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively