Escherichia fergusonii identified in preputial swabs from healthy Aceh cattle by phylogenetic 16S rRNA analysis

@#Aims:Thisstudy aimed to assess the risk of reproductive tract contamination in Aceh cattle by Escherichia fergusoniias revealed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing of preputial swab samples.Methodology and results:Preputial swabs taken from 50 breeding bulls at the Indrapuri Breeding and Forage Center of Aceh Cattle, Banda Aceh, Indonesia, were examined for the presence of bacteria. Samples were streaked on MacConkey agar and incubated under aerobic conditions at 37°C for 24 h. Smooth,yellow-or rose-colored colonies were selected for their characteristic appearance andsubjected to further analysis. Genetic identification was based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing and PCR analysis. We conducted a 16S rRNA sequence similarity search with GenBank using BLAST and constructed neighbour-joining dendrogramsusing MEGA. From among closely related species of the genus Enterobacteriaceae, we identified the enteric bacterium E. fergusoniias having the highest sequence similarity.Conclusion, significance and impact of study:We concluded that the E. fergusoniibacterium positively presence in preputial swab samples of clinically healthyAceh cattle population. Accordingly, it is potentially allowing the bacterium to be spread during natural mating or semen collection processing for artificial insemination in cattle breeding farm

Using surveillance data for action: lessons learnt from the second generation HIV/AIDS surveillance project in Pakistan

Although many countries are now collecting useful, high-quality HIV surveillance data, more efforts are put into the collection of data than into ensuring it is deployed effectively. The Canada-Pakistan HIV/ AIDS surveillance project has strengthened and expanded the existing national AIDS control programme surveillance system in Pakistan through a comprehensive estimate of the size and location of some of the most at-risk populations [sex workers and injection drug users] and annual assessments of their sociodemographic characteristics, behaviours and HIV prevalence. The country now uses second generation surveillance data at a broad level to lobby for policy change, mobilize resources, improve programming and measure the success of prevention through an integrated national effort. This article aims to share the experiences and lessons learnt in the development of a second generation surveillance system for HIV/AIDS in Pakistan