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.

Increased emergence in microbial resistance to antibiotics is a growing problem globally. A retrospective investigation was made of antimicrobial resistance in a total of 2,345 Escherichia coli isolates from clinical cases submitted to Regional Veterinary Laboratory of Bukit Tengah, Penang, Malaysia between January 2000 and December 2015. Analysis using WHONET 5.6 revealed that resistance to ampicillin, norfloxacin and aminoglycosides was detected in isolates from poultry and pigs more often than ruminants. Resistant to colistin was higher in ruminants compared to other animal groups. Nor floxacin susceptibility was very high in isolates from ruminants, pet birds (82.2%) and zoo animals (88.6%). Isolates from pet birds had higher resistant rate to all of the antimicrobials tested compared to zoo and companion animals. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) E. coli isolates (29.25%, 684/2345) were detected in this study. Further efforts, for instance, national monitoring and surveillance, are required to quantify the exposure of animals to antimicrobial agents and resistant pathogenic or commensal bacteria in the animals and also its environment. Such useful information indeed will assist the prudent use of antimicrobial agents in veterinary practice; therefore, suppress the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in animals.