Multidrug-Resistant Extended-Spectrum ß-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli Pathotypes in North Eastern Region of India: Backyard Small Ruminants-Human-Water Interface.

A total of 648 diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) were isolated from calves (n = 219), lambs (n = 87), kids (n = 103), human (n = 193), and water (n = 46) samples. The presence of enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), and shigatoxigenic E. coli (STEC) was confirmed by PCR-based detection of the Shiga toxin, intimin, hemolysin, and enterotoxin genes. All the isolates were tested for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by disc diffusion assay. Extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL), carbapenemase, and metallo-beta-lactamase production were determined by double-disk synergy test, modified Hodge test, and combined disk test assays. AMR genes (blaTEM, blaSHV, blaCTX-M, blaCMY-2, blaNDM, blaKPC, blaVIM, and blaIMP) were detected by PCR using specific primers. Majority of the isolates from human and water exhibited resistance (>80%) against amoxicillin, ampicillin, aztreonam, cefotaxime, cefixime, gentamicin, ceftazidime, and cefalexin, and against imipenem (70.98%), doripenem (70.47%), and ertapenem (60.62%). Bovine isolates were sensitive to carbapenems. Many isolates (5.75-24.35%) from human, water, calves, kids, and lambs were multidrug resistant (MDR), with resistance against three or more classes of antimicrobials. A total of 170/648 (26.23%) isolates were classified as STEC (9.88%), EPEC (4.32%), and ETEC (12.04%). The AMR genes, including blaTEM, blaCMY2, blaCTX-M, and blaSHV were detected in the E. coli from all sources. but blaNDM and blaKPC were detected only in the isolates from human and water. Three STEC isolates from human origin possessed multiple ESBLs, carbapenemase and metallo-beta-lactamase genes reported for the first time. ESBLs producing EPEC and ETEC in lambs and kids are also reported under this study. Presence of MDR-DEC in domestic animals and common potable water poses public health concern in this region.

Biology, Predatory Potential, Life Table, and Field Evaluation of Propylea dissecta (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), Against Lipaphis erysimi (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on Broccoli.

Propylea dissecta (Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is one of the most promising ladybird beetle against many sucking pests. Predation rates, developmental biology, life table, and field assessment of this ladybird were examined against mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), on broccoli. Data on the life history were collected at 23 ± 1°C and 70 ± 1% RH and were evaluated using the two-sex, age-stage life table. Results showed that the two-sex, age-stage life table-based net reproductive rate (R0) was 11.264 ± 6.197 offspring. The adult females lived longer (33.8 ± 2.356 d) than the adult males (32.2 ± 0.841 d). The fourth instar consumed most of L. erysimi (113.97 ± 5.76) compared to the other larval stages of the predator. Male (1,821) and female (2,673) consumed more aphids than larvae. The net consumption rate was 741.78 ± 89.91 aphids. Other aphidophagous predators such as Coccinella septempunctata L., Micraspis discolor (F.), Coccinella transversalis (F.), and syrphid (Diptera: Syrphidae) were also noted in broccoli. Our research showed that inoculative release of 150 or 200 adults per 1,000 m2 for two times on broccoli achieved a significant decrease in aphids L. erysimi and Brevicoryne brassicae L. (Hemiptera: Aphididae) (>95%). The release rate of 150 adults per 1,000 m2 for two times may, therefore, be recommended to manage the aphid population on broccoli.