The prevalence of virulence genes and multidrug resistance in thermophilic Campylobacter spp. isolated from dogs

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the role of dogs as a potential reservoir of Campylobacter spp. At the next stage of the research the frequency of occurrence of selected virulence genes, i.e. cadF, flaA and iam as well as genes responsible for the formation the cytolethal distending toxin (CDT), i.e. cdtA, cdtB and cdtC was determined. The isolates obtained in the research were tested for their resistance to selected antibiotics: ciprofloxacin (CIP), enrofloxacin (EF), erythromycin (E) and tetracycline (TE). Campylobacter spp. was found in 63 (12.6%) out of a total number of 500 isolates. 61 (12.2%) isolates were identified as C. jejuni. The number of C. jejuni isolates found in the younger animals was smaller (p <0.05) than in the older ones. The frequency of occurrence of virulence genes and the genes responsible for the formation of CDT was significantly (p <0.05) higher in the older dogs. A comparison of the effect of antibiotics showed that the isolates obtained from both age groups exhibited low resistance to erythrosine (13.5% in the group aged under 1 year and 8.6% in the group aged over 1 year). Both groups exhibited the highest resistance to ciprofloxacin and enrofloxacin.

Should We Consider Them as a Threat? Antimicrobial Resistance, Virulence Potential and Genetic Diversity of Campylobacter spp. Isolated from Varsovian Dogs

“…Most research focused on detection of genes encoding flagellar proteins (FlaA, FlaB, FlaC), subunits of cytolethal distending toxin (CdtA, CdtB, CdtC), adhesins (CadF, FlpA) and invasion factors (CiaB, IamA). Some of them also indicated a product of the pldA gene encoding outer membrane phospholipase, which is involved in the invasion and colonisation process [ 24 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ].…”

“…While the CdtB subunit is an active compound (DNase I), CdtA and CdtC mediate in binding and internalisation to the host’s cells [ 31 ]. Therefore, most of the studies focused on the presence of the cdtB gene [ 24 , 26 , 29 , 32 ], but some of them investigated all of the three genes or the cdtABC cluster [ 28 , 30 ]. Unlike the flaA gene, the prevalence of CDT encoding genes varied from 29.5–100% [ 6 , 24 , 28 ].…”

“…Therefore, most of the studies focused on the presence of the cdtB gene [ 24 , 26 , 29 , 32 ], but some of them investigated all of the three genes or the cdtABC cluster [ 28 , 30 ]. Unlike the flaA gene, the prevalence of CDT encoding genes varied from 29.5–100% [ 6 , 24 , 28 ]. In our study, cdtA, cdtB and cdtC were found in all of the examined strains belonging to C. jejuni , C. lari and C. upsaliensis species; thus, a fully functional toxin may be produced by those isolates.…”

“…The gene cadF was usually detected in 100% of isolates from different sources: dogs, cats, broilers, pigs, cattle, and humans [ 6 , 24 , 26 , 30 , 32 ]. Only in research by Selwet cadF was found in 83.6% of isolates from dogs [ 28 ].…”

Use of Ultrasounds to Reduce the Count of Campylobacter coli in Water

“…In the European Union, campylobacteriosis is listed as a zoonosis and is subject to mandatory registration of all cases. The detection of Campylobacter spp., for example in water, should be routinely performed ( Selwet 2019 ). Therefore, increasing efforts are being made to reduce the contamination of surface water with domestic and farm wastewater, and introduce effective water treatment methods ( Górka et al 2018 ).…”