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Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Wayanad

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2021 - 202317
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Subject: Veterinary Public Health × End date: 2023 × Start date: 2021 ×
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Now showing 1 - 9 of 17
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    EPIDEMIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH OCCURRENCE OF LEPTOSPIROSIS IN DAIRY CATTLE
    (COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES MANNUTHY, THRISSUR, KERALA VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITY, 2022-10-19) SRIJI A. P.; Dr. K. Vrinda Menon
    Leptospirosis is a neglected bacterial zoonotic disease with worldwide distribution posing significant threat to humans and animals. The present study was conducted to identify the risk factors associated with bovine leptospirosis in Pananchery panchayat and Irinjalakuda municipality in Thrissur district, Kerala. Blood and urine (102 each) samples from dairy cattle and water (50) samples were collected from both the study areas in pre and post-monsoon seasons. A survey was conducted at the time of sample collection in order to identify risk factors. Blood, urine and water samples were examined by Dark Field Microscopy (DFM) and were found to be negative. Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) of serum samples revealed seroprevalence of 25 per cent in pre-monsoon and 36.54 per cent in post-monsoon season from samples collected from Pananchery. In Irinjalakuda, 22 per cent and 28 per cent seroprevalence was observed in pre and post-monsoon seasons, respectively. The predominant serovars detected in both seasons were Hardjo (30 per cent in pre-monsoon and 28.95 per cent post￾monsoon) and Grippotyphosa (16.67 per cent in pre-monsoon and 23.68 per cent in post-monsoon). Urine and water samples were subjected to PCR targeting 16S rRNA, lipl 21, lipl 32 and lipl 41 genes. On molecular analysis of urine by PCR, 15.38 per cent samples from Pananchery and 10 per cent samples from Irinjalakuda were found positive for leptospires in pre-monsoon. In post￾monsoon, 23.08 per cent urine samples from Pananchery and 18 per cent from Irinjalakuda were detected by PCR. Pathogenic leptospires were detected in 5.88 per cent and 8.82 per cent of the urine samples in pre and post-monsoon, respectively. Analysis of water samples by PCR revealed that two per cent samples in pre-monsoon, 10 per cent of samples in post-monsoon were found to be positive without any significant difference between two study areas and two seasons. On molecular analysis, only six per cent water samples in post-monsoon revealed pathogenic leptospires. Initially, the risk factors were analysed by subjecting the data to univariate analysis (Chi-Square) for identifying risk factors associated with infection in both pre and post-monsoon seasons. The factors which were identified as significantly associated with leptospirosis in univariate analysis were then subjected to multivariate analysis. Using multivariate logistic regression analysis, possibility of contamination of grazing land with animal urine (OR=3.605; p<0.01) was identified as risk factor in pre-monsoon. In post monsoon, semi intensive and extensive system of rearing of animals (OR=6.493; p<0.01) and animals that used water sources shared by human and cattle for drinking (OR=2.487; p<0.05) were significantly associated with the presence of leptospirosis. The research revealed that apparently healthy cattle and water sources may lead to endemicity of disease in the area. Identification of risk factors will help to adopt proper intervention strategies to minimise the disease occurrence in endemic areas.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    ISOLATION AND DETECTION OF ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE OF THERMOPHILIC CAMPYLOBACTER FROM LAYER FARMS AND CHICKEN PROCESSING LINES
    (COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES, MANNUTHY, THRISSUR, KERALA VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITY, 2022-10-19) PRAVITHA C. P; Dr. Deepa Jolly
    Campylobacteriosis is the leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide. Chicken and other poultry species are the major reservoir for thermophilic Campylobacter spp. like C. jejuni and C. coli. The present study was undertaken to determine the occurrence of Campylobacter spp. in layer farms, chicken processing lines, molecular confirmation and antibiotic resistance profile studies of isolates, investigation of genotypic resistance pattern of isolates against tetracycline and ampicillin and evaluation of antibacterial efficacy of chitosan against Campylobacter spp. on chicken skin. A total of 260 samples, comprising of 120 cloacal swabs and 140 environmental samples were collected from two organised layer farms (F1 and F2), one each in Thrissur and Ernakulam districts. In order to establish the important contamination points of Campylobacter during slaughter, a total of 324 samples were analysed from various points of two poultry processing lines, SL1 and SL2. All the samples were subjected to isolation and identification of Campylobacter spp. by conventional culture technique. Genus confirmation and species level identification of the isolates was done by polymerase chain reaction. The overall occurrence of Campylobacter spp. in layer farms F1 and F2 was 20 per cent and 15.4 per cent, respectively. Upon comparing the contamination points from poultry processing lines, contamination in SL1 (37.65 per cent) was found to be higher than SL2 (15.4 per cent). In both slaughterlines, Campylobacter positive status of the birds brought for slaughter was the prime source for C. jejuni contamination. The presence of the organism which increased during scalding, defeathering and evisceration steps, decreased after final washing and chilling of the carcass. Antibiotic resistance profiling revealed all isolates to be resistant to cefipime, cefixime, ceftazidime and cefuroxime. The genes conferring tetracycline and ampicillin resistance, tetO and blaOXA-61 were found among 73.3 per cent and 42.8 per cent of the isolates. Upon statistical analysis, no significant reduction of Campylobacter counts on chicken skin was observed after treatments with different concentrations of chitosan (0.5 per cent, 1 per cent or 2 per cent). The results of present study signify the prevalence of C. jejuni, a zoonotic pathogen, in the layer farms and poultry processing environment of central Kerala. Appropriate biosecurity measures and processing interventions along the poultry production chain is essential for the effective control of this pathogen.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    EFFICACY OF CAMPYLOPHAGES AND SELECTED PHYTOCHEMICALS IN THE CONTROL OF CAMPYLOBACTER BIOFILMS
    (COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES MANNUTHY, THRISSUR, KERALA VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITY, 2023-03-23) VIVEKANANDHAN R; Dr. B. Sunil
    Campylobacteriosis is one of the most common causes of bacterial foodborne disease. Campylobacter spp. are found as commensals in the intestines of a wide variety of animals, particularly pigs utilised for food production. The present study was undertaken to analyse the efficacy of campylophages and selected phytochemicals in the control of campylobacter biofilms. A total of 130 samples including 40 samples each of faecal and rectal swabs and sewage (n=50) were collected from the two unorganised pig farms. An overall occurrence of 26.15 per cent with higher isolation from rectal swabs (57.5 per cent) than faecal and sewage samples (25 per cent and two per cent) were observed. In both the farms, no effective biosecurity measures were followed. In pork processing line, a total of 80 samples including 20 each of carcass swabs, cutting board swabs, knife swabs and sewage samples were collected. An overall occurrence of 12.5 per cent was observed. All the isolates were subjected to biofilm forming ability at three different temperatures 42℃ (10 per cent CO2 condition), 37℃ & 25℃ (aerobic condition) and compared with two media (Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s Medium (DMEM) & Muller Hinton Broth (MHB)). Strong biofilm formers were predominant in aerobic condition at 37℃& 25℃ incubated in MHB. Weak biofilm formers were more on stainless steel and nylon fibre. Carvacrol, trans-cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, ethanolic extract of citrus by-product and bleaching powder had minimum biofilm inhibition concentration of 0.078 mg/mL, 0.156 mg/mL, 0.156 mg/mL, 0.321 mg/mL and 0.625 mg/mL, respectively. Trans-cinnamaldehyde significantly (p<0.001) inhibited 99.39 per cent biofilm formation by the campylobacter isolates on polystyrene surface at MBIC of 0.156 mg/mL. Citrus by-product ethanolic extract significantly (p<0.001) inhibited 99.43 per cent biofilm formation by the campylobacter isolates on stainless steel surface at MBIC of 0.312 mg/mL.Carvacrol significantly (p<0.001) inhibited 97.80 per cent biofilm formation by the campylobacter isolates on nylon fibre surfaces at MBIC of 0.078 mg/mL. Carvacrol, trans-cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, ethanolic extract of citrus by-product and bleaching powder had minimum biofilm inactivation concentration of 0.312mg/mL, 2.5 mg/mL, 1.25 mg/mL, 2.5 mg/mL and 5 mg/mL, respectively. Trans cinnamaldehyde inactivated 21.49, 57.89 and 95.92 per cent pre-formed biofilms by campylobacter isolates after 2, 5, 10 min of exposure, respectively at MBIAC of 2.5 mg/mL on polystyrene surface. Eugenol significantly (p<0.001) inactivated 53.79, 70.87 and 98.90 per cent pre-formed biofilms by campylobacter isolates after 2, 5, 10 min of exposure, respectively on stainless steel surface at MBIAC of 1.25 mg/mL. Trans-cinnamaldehyde significantly (p<0.001) inactivated 87.71, 93.9 and 99.15 per cent pre-formed biofilms by campylobacter isolates after 2, 5, 10 min of exposure, respectively on nylon fibre surface at MBIAC of 2.5 mg/mL. Three campylophages were isolated from sewage samples of farm B. Phage 2 and 3 were characterised as Siphoviridae and phage 5 was as Myoviridae by transmission electron microscope. Phage 5 inactivated 30.3 per cent, 30.55 per cent and 29.60 per cent pre-formed biofilms of campylobacter isolates on polystyrene, stainless steel and nylon fibre surface after 24 h of exposure, respectively. Campylophages were effective in inactivating pre-formed biofilms by the isolates which were lysed by the phages. Campylophages were not effective in inactivating biofilms formed by the campylobacter isolates which did not show lytic activity. Cost analysis showed citrus by-product extract as cost effective (Rs 0.41/L) than other phytochemicals.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    DETECTION OF COLISTIN AND QUINOLONE RESISTANT SALMONELLA ENTERICA FROM POULTRY PROCESSING LINE
    (COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES MANNUTHY, THRISSUR, KERALA VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITY, 2022-02-10) RADHIKA A. N.; Dr. Binsy Mathew
    The present study was undertaken to detect colistin and quinolone resistant Salmonella enterica from poultry processing lines. A total of 450 samples were collected which included 75 samples each of cloacal swabs, caecal contents and carcass rinsates from two processing plants viz., Plant A, Thrissur and Plant B, Ernakulam. The samples were subjected to isolation of Salmonella by conventional culture technique and Salmonella were detected in 14.22 per cent of the samples. There was significant difference (p < 0.05) in the occurrence of Salmonella spp. in cloacal swabs and carcass rinsates of two processing plants. The molecular confirmation of positive isolates targeting invA gene for Salmonella genus and iroB gene for Salmonella enterica species was detected in 67.19and81.4per cent of isolates, respectively. The Salmonella enterica confirmed isolates were subjected to antibiotic sensitivity against quinolones by disc diffusion method and colistin agar test for colistin; wherein, highest resistance was observed to enrofloxacin and levofloxacin, whereas 8.57 per cent of the isolates were resistant to colistin. For molecular confirmation of quinolone resistance mismatch amplification mutation assay (MAMA) PCR was employed to detect mutations in gyrA and parC genes, 15.15 per cent of isolates had mutations in gyrA gene but none of the isolates had mutations in parC gene. The qnrS gene was present in 18.18 per cent of the isolates. However, none of the isolates harboured oqxAB gene. For molecular confirmation of colistin resistance,mutations in pmrA and pmrB genes were analysed by sequencing; out of three resistant isolates, two isolates viz., pmrA1 and pmrA2 had mutations in pmrA gene at 345th and 346th position, respectively. Further, two pmrB harbouring isolates showed mutation in 79th, 244th, 319th, 388th and 577th position of the sequence. All the representative amplicons of the genes were sequenced and submitted to the NCBI. The results of the study revealed the occurrence of antibiotic resistant Salmonella enterica throughout the poultry or chickenprocessing lines. In order to prevent antibiotic resistant Salmonella contamination in the processing line elucidating risk factors is necessary and implementation of one health approach in the meat production so as to ensure food safety to the consumers.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    ASSESSMENT OF POST HARVEST CONTAMINATION OF SEAFOOD WITH DRUG RESISTANT PATHOGENS OF PUBLIC HEALTH SIGNIFICANCE IN WAYANAD DISTRICT
    (COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCS, POOKODE, WAYANAD, KERALA VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITY, 2023-01-13) ANJUSHA.K.M; Dr. Prejit
    Antimicrobial resistance is a global public health emergency that causes existing antibiotics to fail therapeutically and raises healthcare costs among humans, animals, and aquaculture sectors. The presence of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Staphylococcus aureus in retail fish outlets and their environments acts as a potential source of transmission of AMR genes to humans. Hence, the present study aims to determine the occurrence of the above pathogens from different fish markets of the Wayanad district and to assess the prevalence of carbapenem-resistant and Extended- spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) -producing E. coli, Salmonella spp, and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). A total of 216 samples, comprising finfishes (60), crustaceans (60), and molluscans (60) and 36 market environmental (hand wash, surface swab, and ice) samples, were analyzed for the presence of E. coli, Salmonella spp., and S. aureus by conventional microbiological and molecular methods. The prevalence was observed to be 79.63, 12.03, and 67.59 per cent, respectively. Furthermore, the characterization of isolates for ESBL production through the phenotypic disc diffusion method confirmed 66.27 per cent of E. coli isolates and 65.38 per cent of Salmonella spp. isolates as ESBL producers, and by PCR-based genotypic characterization of ESBL revealed 66.27 per cent of E. coli and 65.38 per cent of Salmonella spp. isolates harbouring at least one of the selected ESBL genes, i.e., blaCTX-M, blaTEM, or blaSHV. The ascending order of carbapenem sensitivity of the isolates upon phenotypic assay was imipenem, ertapenem, doripenem, and meropenem for E. coli, whereas the order was imipenem, ertapenem, meropenem and doripenem in the case of Salmonella spp. Carbapenemase genotypic characterization using PCR revealed that E. coli was positive for genes viz., blaOXA (14.53%), blaNDM (6.97%), and Salmonella spp. was positive for blaOXA (3.84 %), blaNDM (3.84%), with none of the isolates positive for the blaIMP gene. The characterization of isolates for MRSA production by the phenotypic disc diffusion method showed more resistance towards oxacillin (11.64%), followed by cefoxitin (5.48 %), and a genotypic assay revealed that 5.48 percent of isolates were found to harbor the mecA gene. The present study confirmed the prevalence of drug-resistant E. coli, Salmonella spp., and S. aureus in retail fish outlets and their environment. Hence, the study recommends retailers adopt stringent hygiene practices to prevent post-harvest contamination of fish.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    EFFICACY OF GREEN SYNTHESISED SILVER-ZINC OXIDE NANOCOMPOSITES AGAINST MULTI-DRUG RESISTANT NON TYPHOIDAL SALMONELLA SPP.
    (COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCS, POOKODE, WAYANAD, KERALA VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITY, 2023-01-13) ARYA P.R; Dr. Jess Vergis
    The indiscriminate use of antibiotics has accelerated the emergence of multi- drug resistant (MDR) bacterial strains. In recent times, nanotechnology offers a novel alternative solution by providing a long-term strategy to combat the emergence of drug resistance. The present study evaluated the antibacterial efficacy of green synthesised silver-zinc oxide nanocomposites (Ag/ZnO NCs) against MDR strains of non- typhoidal Salmonella spp. (NTS). The green synthesis of Ag/ZnO NCs was attempted using the aqueous extract of leaves, stems, and rhizomes of Curcuma longa. Initially, the green synthesised Ag/ZnO NC was subjected to UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential thermogravimetric analysis (DTA), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The green synthesised Ag/ZnO NCs exhibited absorbance peaks at 340 and 450 nm by UV-Vis spectroscopy, corresponding to Ag and ZnO nanoparticles (NPs), respectively, which was further confirmed by FTIR analysis. The TGA/DTA revealed an initial weight loss of around four per cent from 40oC to 100oC along with a progressive thermal degradation of Ag/ZnO NCs between 200 oC and 450 oC, which in turn corresponded to an exothermic peak at 320 oC. The PXRD analysis of Ag/ZnO NCs confirmed the face-centered cubic structure of AgNPs and hexagonal wurtzite structure with P63 mc symmetry of ZnO NPs. Further, FE-SEM analysis confirmed the agglomerated polycrystalline morphology of Ag/ZnO NCs with a characteristic spherical shape in TEM analysis. This study evaluated in vitro antibacterial efficacy of Ag/ZnO NCs against MDR-NTS strains (S. enterica Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis; n = 3 for each serotype). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC; 31.25μg/mL) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC62.50 μg/mL) were determined by employing the micro broth dilution technique. Later, Ag/ZnO NCs were assessed for their stability (high-end temperatures, physiological concentration of cationic salts, proteases, and pH); safety (chicken RBCs), and effecton gut beneficial microflora (Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. plantarum, and Paediococcus acidilactis). In general, the Ag/ZnO NCs tested stable at MIC concentration; however, a two-fold rise in the MBC value was detected. Besides, Ag/ZnO NCs tested safe with chicken RBCs; moreover, the beneficial gut microflora was not inhibited. Furthermore, the in vitro time-kill kinetic assay of MDR-NTS strains treated with Ag/ZnO NCs revealed a complete clearance at 240 min, alike meropenem control. In brief, the green synthesised Ag/ZnO NCs were found to exhibit antibacterial activity against the tested MDR-NTS and were tested safe and stable. Overall, the study demonstrated a facile, eco-friendly method for the synthesis of Ag/ZnO NCs, which could be employed as a potential therapeutic alternative candidate.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    OCCURRENCE OF CARBAPENEMASE AND EXTENDED SPECTRUM β-LACTAMASE PRODUCING MAJOR ENTEROPATHOGENS IN POULTRY FARMS OF WAYANAD
    (COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES, POOKODE,WAYANAD, KERALA VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENECES UNIVERSITY, 2022-09-22) HEMA PERSIS ANDREWS; Dr. Asha K
    Antimicrobial resistance is a global health emergency which leads to therapeutic failure of existing antibiotics and increases the health cost. The presence of antimicrobial resistant zoonotic pathogens such as E. coli and Salmonella spp. in broiler poultry and farm environments act as a potential source of transmission of AMR genes to humans which are of critical public health concern. Hence, the present study is envisaged to evaluate the occurrence of the above pathogens from organised broiler farms in the Wayanad district and to characterize the ESBL and carbapenem resistance of the recovered isolates. A total of 211 cloacal swabs from broiler chicken (189), Japanese quail (22) and 60 farm environmental samples were analysed for E. coli and Salmonella spp. by conventional microbiological, biochemical and molecular methods and the occurrence was observed as 65.68 and 14.76 per cent, respectively. Further, the characterization of isolates for ESBLproduction through the phenotypic disc diffusion method, confirmed 39.88 per cent of E. coli isolates and 25 per cent of Salmonella isolates as ESBL producers and PCR- basedgenotypic characterisation of ESBL revealed 73.59 per cent of E. coli and 57.5 per cent of Salmonella isolates were harbouring at least one of the selected ESBL genes i.e, blaCTX M, blaSHV and blaTEM. The ascending order of carbapenem resistance by the isolates upon phenotypic assay was Doripenem, Ertapenem, Meropenem and Imipenem for E. coliwhereas the the order was Doripenem, Ertapenem, Imipenem and Meropenem in case ofSalmonella isolates. None of the isolates was found positive for the carbapenem resistant genes blaNDM, blaOXA-48, blaIMP and blaVIM when screened by PCR. Thus, a diversephenotypic and genotypic pattern of ESBL and carbapenem resistance was observed among isolates. The present study envisages the occurrence of E. coli and Salmonella among broiler poultry and farm environment and the ability of these pathogens to harbour and disseminate ESBL and carbapenem resistance genes
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    OCCURRENCE OF CARBAPENEMASE AND EXTENDED SPECTRUM BETA LACTAMASE PRODUCING MAJOR ENTERIC BACTERIA IN FARMED PIGS AND HOUSE FLIES FROM FARM PREMISES
    (COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES, POOKODE, WAYANAD, KERALA VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITY, 2022-09-22) MANOJ M; Dr. PREJIT
    Intensively farmed pigs may act as a potential source of drug resistant bacteria due to the use of antibiotics as feed additives or growth promoters apart from their therapeutic purposes. Similarly, house flies in and around farm premises make effective contact with animals, manure and the environment thereby transmitting anti-microbial resistant bacteria to the food chain finally reaching humans. Hence, a study was designed to explore the antimicrobial resistance in E. coli and Salmonella spp. isolated from fecal samples of the in house reared pig and flies trapped at farm premises. A total of 210 representative pig rectal swabs and 30 pools of flies (15 pools from farm settings and 15 pools from non-farm settings) were collected from different farms of Wayanad district and processed for bacteriological culture. The recovery rate of E. coli from fly was 100 per cent and that from fecal samples was 96.7 per cent and Salmonella spp. were recovered from 13.33 per cent of flies from farm settings, 3 (20 per cent) flies in non-farm settings, and 33 (15.7 per cent) from fecal samples. The study also revealed that the recovered E. coli and Salmonella spp. were multi-drug resistant strains and the E. coli isolates exhibited resistance to Ceftazidime (28.6%), Cefotaxime (49%), Ertapenem (1%), Imipenem (1.4%), and Meropenem (0.5%) whereas, Salmonella spp. isolates were resistance to Ceftazidime (12%), Cefotaxime (39.9%). None of them showed resistance to following drugs Doripenem, Ertapenem, Imipenem, and Meropenem. ESBL resistance was recorded more in E. coli (56%) than Salmonella spp. (48%) by phenotypic assays. In the molecular study, ESBL genes could be detected in the E. coli i.e., blaCTX-M (48.6%), blaSHV (10.5%), blaTEM (43.8%), and that in Salmonella isolates included blaCTX-M (48%), blaSHV (12.12%), blaTEM (57.57%). Only two isolates from pig faecal were positive for the carabapenemase producing OXA-48 gene. The present study is suggestive of the fact that flies harbour multidrug resistant bacteria such as, ESBL producing E. coli and Salmonella strains. Furthermore, Pig can act as a hub of ESBL resistance and the emergence of carbapenem resistant genes in pigs cannot be neglected. The monitoring of AMR needs to be routinely conducted inorder to eliminate the risk of AMR pathogen in food source.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    EFFICACY OF GREEN SYNTHESISED ZINC OXIDE NANOPARTICLES AGAINST MULTI-DRUG RESISTANT NON- TYPHOIDAL SALMONELLA SPP.
    (COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES POOKODE, LAKKIDI, 2022-04-02) VARSHA UNNI; Jess Vergis
    In the recent wake of antimicrobial resistance, nanotechnology has received remarkable attention and has been considered as a promising interventional tool for treating the drug resistant pathogens. The present study evaluated the antibacterial efficacy of green synthesised Zinc Oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) against multi-drug resistant non-typhoidal Salmonella spp. (MDR-NTS). The synthesis and characterisation of ZnO NPs was attempted using the aqueous extract of Piper longum catkin. Initially, the characterisation of green synthesised ZnO NPs was performed by UV- Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infra- red spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermogravimetric analysis (DTA), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The green synthesised ZnO NPs exhibited an absorbance peak at 340 nm by UV- Vis spectroscopy, which was confirmed by FTIR analysis. The TGA/DTA revealed a progressive thermal degradation of the ZnO NPs between 250oC and 400oC, however, a good thermal stability was exhibited for annealing temperatures between 900oC and 1300oC. The ZnO NPs exhibited a hexagonal wurtzite crystalline structure by PXRD analysis, which was further confirmed by SEM and TEM. This study evaluated the in vitro antibacterial efficacy of ZnO NPs against MDR- NTS strains (S. enterica Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis (n= 3 for each serotype). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC; 125 μg/ml) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC; 250 μg/ml) of ZnO NPs was determined by employing microbroth dilution technique. Later, ZnO NPs was also tested for its stability (high- end temperatures, physiological concentration of cationic salts, proteases and pH); safety (chicken RBCs; HEK cell lines) and effect on gut beneficial lactobacilli (Lactobacillus acidophilus and L. plantarum). In general, the ZnO NPs tested stable at MIC concentration; however, a three to four- fold rise in the MBC value was observed. Besides, ZnO NPs were tested safe with chicken RBCs and HEK cell lines at MIC (1X, 2X, 5X and 10X) levels; moreover, the beneficial gut lactobacilli were not inhibited. Furthermore, the in vitro time- kill kinetic assay of MDR-NTS strains treated with ZnO NPs revealed a complete clearance after 360 min. To conclude, the biosynthesised ZnO NPs was found to exhibit antibacterial activity against the tested MDR-NTS, found stable and safe. Overall, the study demonstrated facile, eco- friendly method for the synthesis of ZnO NPs, which could be employed as a potential antimicrobial alternative candidate.