Isolation, identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli from cattle, goat, and chicken meats in Mekelle, Ethiopia

Abstract

Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli are globally recognized as a major cause of bacterial foodborne gastroenteritis. A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2015 to May 2016 in Mekelle city to isolate, identify, and estimate the prevalence of C. jejuni and C. coli in raw meat samples and to determine their antibiotic susceptibility pattern. A total of 384 raw meat samples were randomly collected from bovine (n = 210), goat (n = 108), and chicken (n = 66), and isolation and identification of Campylobacter spp. were performed using standard bacteriological techniques and PCR. Antibiotic susceptibility test was performed using disc diffusion method. Of the total 384 raw meat samples, 64 (16.67%) were found positive for Campylobacter spp. The highest prevalence of Campylobacter spp. was found in chicken meat (43.93%) followed by bovine meat (11.90%) and goat meat (9.25%). The most prevalent Campylobacter spp. isolated from meat samples was C. jejuni (81.25%). The overall prevalence of Campylobacter in restaurants, butcher shops, and abattoir was 43.93%, 18.30%, and 9.30%, respectively. 96.8%, 81.25%, 75%, and 71% of the Campylobacter spp. isolates were sensitive to norfloxacin, erythromycin, chloramphenicol, and sulphamethoxazole-trimethoprim, respectively. However, 96.9%, 85.9%, and 50% of the isolates were resistant to ampicillin, amoxicillin, and streptomycin, respectively. Strains that developed multi-drug resistant were 68.7%. The result of this study revealed the occurrence of Campylobacter in bovine, goat, and chicken meats. Hence, there is a chance of acquiring infection via consumption of raw or undercooked meat. Thus, implementation of hygienic practices from a slaughterhouse to the retailers, proper handling and cooking of foods of meat are very important in preventing Campylobacter infection.

Identification and Characterization of Campylobacter Species in Livestock, Humans, and Water in Livestock Owning Households of Peri-urban Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A One Health Approach

“…Most Campylobacter species have been isolated from animals, and direct and indirect contact with animals is a known risk factor for Campylobacter infection, especially in children (10)(11)(12). Animals can serve both as reservoirs, and as potential sources for the contamination of food, water, and the environment (4,(13)(14)(15). Contamination of different water sources with Campylobacter species presents an opportunity for transmission of environmentadapted genotypes to livestock and humans (7,13,14,16).…”

“…Studies on the prevalence of Campylobacter in Ethiopia have identified a range of 13.8-50.0% in humans, and 10.6-56.5% in animals (12,13,(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27). In addition, studies conducted on the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Campylobacter species, in both humans and animals in Ethiopia, have identified increased multidrug resistance of Campylobacter species (4,25,28). Most of these studies were conducted in only humans or animals, and utilized only a culture method approach for Campylobacter species identification and characterization.…”

“…Enteric pathogens including rotavirus, norovirus, Campylobacter, Salmonella, E. coli and Shigella species are known causative agents ( 2 , 3 ). Campylobacter species are the leading zoonotic bacterial causes of human gastroenteritis and foodborne disease globally ( 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ). The genus Campylobacter , comprises of 31 species and 13 subspecies ( 6 ); of these, thermophilic Campylobacter , especially C. jejuni and C. coli , are the primary causes of human bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide ( 2 , 7 ).…”

Occurrence, Risk Factors, and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Test of Thermophilic Campylobacter Species of Bovine Carcass at Municipal Abattoir and Butcher Shops of Jimma Town, Southwest Ethiopia

“… 14 , 15 In Ethiopia, it is difficult to give an accurate picture of the disease’s burden mainly due to lack of a national surveillance program, limited routine culture availability for Campylobacter species isolation in clinical and research settings, and the requirement for selective media. 16 …”

“…14,15 In Ethiopia, it is difficult to give an accurate picture of the disease's burden mainly due to lack of a national surveillance program, limited routine culture availability for Campylobacter species isolation in clinical and research settings, and the requirement for selective media. 16 Children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems (such as cancer patients, HIV/AIDS patients, and transplant recipients) are particularly vulnerable. Because of the severity of diarrhea and the possibility of squeals, campylobacteriosis is a major public health threat having a significant socioeconomic implications.…”