Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute

Avian influenza virus (AIV) remains a persistent zoonotic and economic threat in South Asia, yet a comprehensive understanding of its research trajectory, outbreak patterns, and viral evolution in the region remains limited. This study integrates bibliometric, epidemiological, metadata, and phylogenetic analyses to assess two decades (2005–2025) of AIV research and H5N1 dynamics in South Asia. Bibliographic records were retrieved from Scopus and analysed using VOSviewer and Biblioshiny, while hemagglutinin (HA) gene sequences of H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b were obtained from GISAID and analysed using maximum-likelihood phylogenetic tree. A total of 858 documents were identified, exhibiting a strong upward research trend (R²=0.89), with peak outputs between 2021 and 2024; primary research articles dominated (84.9

Background: Lassa fever is a zoonotic disease, caused by Lassa virus (LASV), that was first reported in 1965. After 55 years, its research landscape remains largely underexplored. Therefore, a bibliometric study is needed to identify LASV research landscape. Methods: Scopus database was searched and the resulting data was analyzed using VOSviewer (version 1.6.15) for Windows, bibliometrix (version 3.0.0) with Biblioshiny, and R (version 4.5.2) to reveal trends in LASV publications, including keywords, authors' productivity over time, and collaboration among research institutions and universities. Results: From Scopus, 1566 studies were retrieved, and the trend analysis indicated three distinct phases: a low productivity phase (1970-2002), consistent increase phase (2003-2014), and high productivity phase (2015-2025). The Journal of Virology included the most LASV publications (132 articles). Original research articles dominated the LASV publications with 1270 (81.10%), followed by reviews 296 (18.90%). Keyword analysis revealed evolution over time, with terms used to describe LASV forming the most dominant network across clusters. Factorial analysis revealed keywords absence linked to health and environment role in LASV spread. Among the top 50 authors, 20% were from Africa (Guinea, Mali, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone), indicating minimal locally driven research. Country collaboration network analysis revealed the dominance of the United States, Germany, France, and China, while Nigeria was prominently represented in Africa. The findings further indicate few studies on vaccines and therapeutics, and less involvement of authors from LASV-endemic regions. Conclusion: Despite significant growth in LASV research, critical gaps in vaccines, therapeutics, and endemic region representation highlight the urgent need for locally driven One Health studies and equitable research partnerships.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents a global health crisis, driven largely by the mobility of resistance determinants through mobile genetic elements (MGEs). These include plasmids, integrons, insertion sequences, transposons, integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs), and prophages, which together facilitate horizontal gene transfer (HGT) across bacterial species and ecosystems. This review aims to provide a comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge on the types, mechanisms, ecological drivers, and impacts of MGEs in the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Methods involved critical evaluation of recent genomic, epidemiological, and ecological studies, alongside case studies of clinically significant resistance outbreaks. Findings highlight how MGEs function as hubs for ARG capture, recombination, and stabilization, enabling the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) pathogens. We also explored their interactions with ecological pressures such as antibiotics, heavy metals, and biocides, as well as their role in One Health transmission pathways. The significance of this study lies in linking molecular insights with applied strategies, including genomic surveillance, MGE-targeted inhibitors, phage therapy, and CRISPR-based interventions. Understanding MGEs is essential for designing effective interventions to mitigate AMR and protect global health.

Abstract In Bangladesh, more than 90% of people are Muslim. During Eid-ul-Azha, around 4.76 million cattle were slaughtered, which is almost half of the total of 10.04 million cattle slaughtered. Thus, the demand for beef cattle is particularly high during Eid, and as a result raising and fattening of cattle is a popular trade. The present study was conducted to investigate cattle fattening profitability and its marketing. The data was collected through structured interviews with 90 farmers, 15 beparies, and 15 meat sellers. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were applied to determine the factors that affect profitability. According to the analysis, about 53% of farmers fattened their cattle during the whole year, while 47% of farmers fattened their cattle only before Eid-ul-Azha. The average benefit-cost ratio was estimated to be 1.25, implying that beef cattle fattening is profitable. The coefficients of the variables of treatment cost, feeding cost, and labour cost were significant at the 1% level, indicating a positive association with profitability. The average net return for beparies was BDT 1,964, and the average net return of meat sellers was BDT 1,944. The predominant marketing channels were identified as (i) farmer–bepari–meat-seller–consumer and (ii) farmer–bepari–consumer. However, the preferred channel was farmer-consumer because this channel enabled farmers to maximise profit. Marketing efficiency was also the highest in this channel. We recommend the provision of appropriate training, as well as easy access to market information, to establish sustainable cattle fattening enterprises in Bangladesh.

This study evaluated the associations of region, Holstein Friesian (HF) inheritance level, parity, Body Condition Score (BCS), and Age at First Service (AFS) with the productive and reproductive performance of Holstein Friesian local crossbred (HFLC) cows in Bangladesh. Data were collected from 158 lactating HFLC cows across Gaibandha, Dhaka Metropolitan City, and Mymensingh from January 2021 to January 2022. Productive traits included Average Daily Milk Yield (ADMY) and Lactation Length (LL), while reproductive traits included Service Per Conception (SPC) and Calving Interval (CI). Region significantly influenced CI, ADMY, and LL, with urban farms in Dhaka producing more milk and experiencing longer lactations, while rural farms in Gaibandha had shorter CI. HF inheritance level significantly influenced all productive and reproductive traits. Cows with 50-<62.5% and ≥ 62.5-<75% HF inheritance level had lower SPC and shorter CI, whereas cows with > 75% HF inheritance level showed higher ADMY and longer LL. Parity did not influence CI, ADMY, or LL but significantly influenced SPC, with the lowest SPC observed in first-parity cows. BCS was associated with SPC and LL but not with CI or ADMY. Cows with moderate BCS exhibited lower SPC, while those with higher BCS had longer LL. AFS significantly influenced SPC, CI, and ADMY, emphasizing the importance of first breeding age on reproductive and productive outcomes. Overall, higher HF inheritance levels were linked to increased milk production but reduced reproductive efficiency, whereas moderate HF inheritance levels were associated with better reproductive performance under field conditions in Bangladesh.