Publications by authors named "Faten Ben Chehida"
Article Synopsis
- - The study focused on detecting Shiga-toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 in diarrheic camels in Tunisia, collecting 120 fecal samples between January 2018 and April 2019.
- - Out of 70 E. coli isolates, 4 (5.7%) were identified as STEC O157:H7, with key genes for virulence and antibiotic sensitivity tests revealing their resistance patterns.
- - This research marks the first finding of E. coli O157:H7 in camels in Tunisia, emphasizing the need for regular screening programs in food-producing animals to manage foodborne pathogens effectively.
Article Synopsis
- * A total of 236 E. coli isolates were tested, revealing that 4.2% were positive for the O157:H7 strain, and many isolates exhibited various virulence factors associated with this pathogen.
- * The findings indicate that E. coli O157:H7 is present in healthy cattle, suggesting a potential risk for food-borne diseases in humans, highlighting the importance of monitoring this pathogen in the food supply.
Article Synopsis
- Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health issue, with limited research in Tunisia specifically concerning wildlife, highlighting the need for more data on this topic.
- This study focused on evaluating the antibiotic resistance profiles of bacteria from the feces of 110 wild boars in northern Tunisia, finding that most of the isolates identified were Escherichia coli and other related bacterial species.
- The results revealed a significant prevalence of multidrug-resistant strains, with notably high resistance rates to common antibiotics and alarms raised over resistance to colistin and ertapenem, emphasizing wild boars as potential carriers of resistant bacteria.
Article Synopsis
- Researchers collected 318 nasal and rectal swabs from 159 healthy camels in Tunisia, finding a high carriage rate of Staphylococcus aureus, with 81% of swabs testing positive.
- Among the isolates, 16 were identified as coagulase positive, and all were methicillin-susceptible, with three different genetic types and various virulence genes detected.
- This study represents the first comprehensive genotyping and characterization of S. aureus in camels from Tunisia, contributing to understanding the pathogen’s population structure and toxin genetics.
Article Synopsis
- - Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD), caused by the rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV), leads to significant mortality in European rabbits and has been reported in Africa since 1992, with a new genotype (GI.2) detected in 2015.
- - GI.2 strains are now found in various North and Sub-Saharan African countries, causing serious economic losses in rabbit breeding sectors due to the virus's high recombination rates with both harmful and benign strains.
- - Research on Tunisian GI.2 strains shows they likely originated from Europe and emphasizes the necessity for ongoing monitoring of rabbit trade and the complete sequencing of circulating lagoviruses to manage the spread of RHD in Africa more effectively
Article Synopsis
- * A study sampled 470 healthy dromedary camels in Tunisia, finding that 34% tested positive for RVF, with age, flock size, and contact with other ruminants identified as key risk factors for infection.
- * The findings suggest that RVF poses a significant risk to both camels and the farming community, highlighting the need for further research and control strategies to mitigate its spread.
Article Synopsis
- Enterobacteriaceae resistant to extended-spectrum cephalosporins (ESC-R) are a significant health concern, especially related to potential transmission to humans through the food chain, with the chicken industry being a major focus.
- A study in Tunisia collected 258 cloacal swabs from five different chicken farms, all of which tested positive for ESC-R, showing prevalence rates between 4% and 67.3%.
- The research identified a dominant ESC-R gene/plasmid combination (IncI1/ST3) in chickens, alongside various other resistance genes, suggesting a high diversity of resistant bacteria that could spread through the food supply.
Objectives: Resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones and colistin is under constant scrutiny in food-producing animals worldwide. However, little is known about camels, which provide milk and meat for human consumption, and are attractions for tourists to ride in arid regions. This study assessed the role of camels as potential reservoirs of these resistance determinants.
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- Bovine mastitis is a significant issue in dairy farming, leading to substantial economic losses, with major pathogens including Staphylococci, Streptococci, and coliforms.
- This study highlights the prevalence of Escherichia coli (31.7%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (20.7%) as key contributors to mastitis in African dairy cattle, alongside important resistance findings to antibiotics such as tetracycline and sulfonamides.
- It emphasizes the urgent need for improved farm management practices in Tunisia to manage coliform-related mastitis and curb the spread of antibiotic-resistant strains that pose risks to public health.