Prevalence, antibiotic spectrum and genetic relatedness in thermophilic Campylobacter species from poultry production environment of Punjab

Abstract

Campylobacter is responsible for human gastroenteritis worldwide. C. jejuni and C. coli are most frequently encountered in animals, birds and man, but mainly C. jejuni is particularly adapted to poultry. The disease in humans ranges from gastroenteritis to Guillain-Barre Syndrome. To know the status of Campylobacter species especially, C. jejuni in poultry environment in Punjab, 342 poultry fecal samples (228 from layers and 114 from broilers) were collected from 30 poultry farms of Punjab. Additionally, 27 fecal samples from poultry farm workers were also collected. Analysis of the samples revealed that 21 (6.14%) fecal samples (from poultry farm) and two (7.41%) from farm workers were positive for Campylobacters based on cultural and molecular detection. Out of 23 Campylobacter positive isolates, 19 (80.95%) were C. jejuni and 4 (19.04%) were C. coli. Antibiotic resistance in the isolates was low. The majority of the isolates were sensitive to macrolide and quinolone class of antibiotics which are important for the treatment of campylobacteriosis. Pulse Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) showed high genetic diversity among C. jejuni, however, it was limited in C. coli isolates. Poultry production in Punjab poses a potential risk of campylobacteriosis. However, antibiotic resistance in the isolates was low.