Study of antimicrobial resistance and physiological biomarkers with special reference to Salmonellosis in diarrheic foals in Punjab, Pakistan.

This research paper is about a study conducted in Punjab, Pakistan, on antimicrobial resistance and physiological biomarkers in foals affected by Salmonella. The researchers discovered an alarming degree of antimicrobial resistance in the bacteria isolated, as well as noticeable physiological changes in the infected foals.

Sample Collection and Analysis

• The research involved a total of 447 diarrheic foals from Lahore and Sahiwal districts of Punjab, Pakistan. These comprised of horse, donkey, and mule foals.
• Fresh fecal and blood samples were collected to identify Salmonella, a bacteria which causes a disease called Salmonellosis.
• The samples were subjected to Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), a standard process to detect genetic material from specific organisms such as bacteria.

Results

• Of the 447 foals, 50 (11.25%) tested positive for Salmonella. The bacteria were detected in all three types of foals: horse, donkey, and mule.
• The Salmonella bacteria were of the type ‘enterica’ which includes various serovars (strains). Seven different serovars were found among the isolated bacteria.
• The study also found that foals taken to veterinary hospitals were more likely to be infected with Salmonella as compared to those remaining on stud farms or those individually reared in low-income households.

Antimicrobial Resistance

• Out of the 50 positive samples, an alarming 92% showed resistance to three or more antimicrobials.
• The highest resistance was seen against Sulphamethoxazole with 86% of the strains being resistant.
• Lowest resistance (4%) was reported against Trimethoprime, however, resistance against multiple other antibiotics like Doxycycline, Oxytetracycline, Streptomycin, Neomycin, and several others was observed.

Blood Analysis

• Blood analysis of the infected foals showed certain abnormalities in their physiological biomarkers. Hemoglobin, packed cell volume (PCV) and total erythrocyte count (TEC) were significantly higher than normal. Total leukocyte count (total white blood cells) and several components of white blood cells like monocytes, lymphocytes, and others were lower than normal.
• Abnormal levels of liver and kidney function indicators, like Albumin, Bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and Creatinine were also reported.