Bangladesh livestock journal. 2019. 1: 41-45 ISSN 2409-7691 Isolation, identification and antibiogram profiles of bacterial isolates from diarrheic piglets reared in Dinajpur district of Bangladesh Mir Rowshan Akter* 1 , Josephina Murmu 1 , Md. Atiqul Haque 1 , Md. Abu Sayed Khan 2 and Md. Fakhruzzaman 1 1 Department of Microbiology, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur-5200, Bangladesh 2 Japfa Comfeed Bangladesh Pte Ltd,House No # 322 (1 st floor), Lean # 5 (West), Baridhara DOHS, Dhaka. Abstract Context: Pigs are fast growing and one of the most prolific livestock breeds in Bangladesh Objectives: To isolate and identify the etiological agents from diarrhoeic piglets with antibiogram profiles of identified isolates in Dinajpur district of Bangladesh. Materials and methods: The research work was undertaken in eight selected pig populated areas namely Shantipara, Bishoppara, Subraa, Pachkur, Mathasagor, Auliapur, Jamunapara and Vat para situated at sader upazilla in the district of Dinajpur. The study was conducted during the period from July 2014 to June 2015.The samples were collected aseptically and brought to the Bacteriology laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur for proper isolation and identification by cultural, morphological and biochemical examinations. For this purpose, a total of 230 samples were collected from diarrheic piglets of eight different areas. Results: In this study, point prevalence was examined at 8 selected pig populated areas. The point prevalence was found to be as 38.26 %. A total of 88 diarrheic faecal samples were examined for the isolation of bacteria in which 57 (64.8 %) samples were positive for Escherichia coli and 31 (35.2%) samples were positive for Clostridium perfringens. The infection of the piglets were higher in 1 st week of age; E. coli ; 17 (19.3%)and Cl. perfringens ; 11 (12.5%).On the other hand the infection of the piglets were higher during the winter season E. coli; 27(30.7%) and Cl. perfringens; 13 (14.8%) during rainy season. The isolated E. coli produced greenish metallic sheen colonies on EMB agar and Clostridium perfringens showing double zone of beta hemolysis on blood agar using anaerobic conditionand the Cooked meat midea turns to pink color. The antibiogram profiles revealed that most of the E. coli and Clostridium perfringens were resistant to erythromycin, neomycin, and streptomycin. However, most of the E.coli and Clostridium spp. were sensitive ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, amoxicillin and gentamycin respectively. Conclusion: Among the isolated bacterial pathogens Escherichia coli plays significant role (30.7%) on piglets diarrhoea and it is highly sensitive to ciprofloxacin and chloramphenicol. From our study, it was evident that ciprofloxacin and chloramphenicol could be of better choice for the treatment of diarrhea in piglets. Keywords: antibiogram profiles; Escherichia coli;Clostridium spp.;diarrhea; piglets Introduction Pigs are fast growing and one of the most prolific livestock breeds (Durranc 2008; Phookan et al. 2006; Prakash et al. 2008; Taylor and Roese 2006). Pig is considered as the richest source of animal protein at a lower cost for the peoples who consume pork. In most of the areas of Dinajpur district, pigs are reared by poor people who neither have means nor know how to improve production. In global perspective, pigs were used for production of meat and bristles (Long et al. 1990). In addition to a highly prolific species, pig has high ovulation rate, and if mated at the right moment, there is high probability of pregnancy in sows (Peltoniemi et al.2007). It is a highly productive animal compared with other farm animals (Anderson 1974). If we begin swine farming using modern technology, it will contribute to our economy as well as to the GDP of Bangladesh. In pig rearing, piglets diarrhea represents a major problem in the early stages of pig production. Piglets diarrhea caused by Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens are responsible for major losses in the pig industry worldwide (Lee et al. 2014).Piglets diarrhea can occur for several reasons, including when a new pathogen enters in a farm due to lack of bio- security, when the piglets have not been exposed to the pathogen, or when conditions allow for an endemic pathogen to create disease. Escherichia coli is one of the most important causes of piglets diarrhea resulting economic losses due to mortality, morbidity, decreased growth rate and cost of medication, all over the world (Fraibrotheret al. 2005). Similarly the Clostridium perfringensis also associated with diarrhoea in piglet having an economic concern in swine production (Basker et al. 2010). This infectious disease is often be prevented or lessened through effective programs targeting the biosecurity and vaccination. Therefore, it is important to be aware of what we can do to protect our farm and our important resource from contamination. As far as, there have been no previous studies documented in Bangladesh to isolate the bacterial agents as a cause of piglets diarrhea. In addition, very little information is available on which Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens are currently present in Bangladesh piggeries. i. Although, different studied have been carried out in various part of Bangladesh, but limited attempt have been taken to isolate and identified the etiological agents from diarrheic piglets and to observe the antibiogram profiles of identified isolates. Materials and methods 2.1. Study areas The research work was undertaken in eight selected pig populated areas namely Shantipara, Bishoppara, Subraa, Pachkur, Mathasagor, Auliapur, Jamunapara and Vat para situated at Sadar upazilla, Dinajpur. The study was conducted during the period from July 2014 to June 2015. 2.2. Collection of fecal samples About 20 gms of feces was collected aseptically from each piglets by using sterile plastic gloves and kept in a sterile screw caped vial containing PBS (phosphate buffer solution). A total of 88 diarrheic faecal samples were aseptically collected from 230 piglets and brought to the Bacteriology laboratory in the department of Microbiology, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur. Diarrheic piglets were categorized into 6 groups related with age like 1 st week to 6 th week and seasons as rainy season ; July-October (32 ), winter ;November–February (38 ) and summer ; March-June (18 ) respectively. 2.3. Isolation of bacteria 2.3.1. Cultural and morphological characterization All samples were plated on Nutrient agar and then sub-cultured on the differential media (MacConkey agar) and selective media (EMB agar, BA, Cooked Meat media etc.) for identification of bacteria by observing specific colony characteristics and then stained by Gram’s staining techniques for morphological characterization according to the procedure described by Marchant and Packer (1967) and Buxton and Fraser (1977). 2.3.2. Biochemical characterization A series of biochemical tests such as Methyl-Red (MR), Voges- *Corresponding author: email: akter.rowshan@gmail.com