Bangladesh Agricultural University researchers identify new bacteria in goats

Researchers from Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) have identified the ‘Burkholderia cepacia complex’ bacteria in Bangladeshi goats for the first time. While this bacterium has been detected in animals such as horses, dogs, cats, birds, and sheep globally, its presence in goats within Bangladesh had not been scientifically confirmed until this study.

The findings, published in the international journal ‘PLOS ONE’, highlight potential risks to human health. Certain species of this bacterium can cause serious infections in humans, particularly posing a threat to individuals with compromised immune systems or chronic lung diseases.

The research team was led by Professor Dr. Md. Siddiqur Rahman of the BAU Medicine Department, with Abdullah Al Mamun serving as the lead researcher. The study involved analyzing blood samples from 40 Black Bengal goats, including those with histories of respiratory issues and abortions. Through bacterial culture, PCR, and DNA sequencing, the team confirmed the presence of the complex in symptomatic goats.