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Page No. : 105-109

ABSTRACT

Campylobacter infection is one of the most widespread infectious diseases in both developed as well as developing countries. The present study was carried out to investigate the occurrence of thermophilic Campylobacter spp. in diverse sources by isolation and biochemical characterization, followed by PCR confirmation for species. A total of 490 samples were screened which revealed an overall isolation rate of 9.39% of Campylobacter spp. High isolation rate was observed in caeca of chicken and quail (17.8% and 18%, respectively), followed by chicken meat (9.47%), pig faeces (6%), dog faeces (6%), human stools (4%) and milk (3%). A total of 46 thermophilic campylobacters were isolated comprising 33 C. jejuni (81.25%) and 6 C. coli (18.75%). The high isolation rate in chicken and quail caecum, followed by chicken meat reinforces the fact that poultry are major reservoirs of Campylobacter spp. Further isolation from dogs highlights the role of pets in transmission of Campylobacter spp. The multiplex PCR assay was found to be a rapid and reliable tool for species identification.

Keywords: Dog faeces, foods of animal origin, human stool, pig faeces, thermophilic campylobacters