Aim: The study was conducted to determine the prevalence and viability of Campylobacter species isolates from different species of poultry and humans in Sokoto State, Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in poultry presented for sales and slaughter in the live bird markets and humans on admission and at outpatient clinics in the randomly selected hospitals in Sokoto State. Isolation and characterization of Campylobacter species were performed using standard culture isolation techniques and biochemical characterization. A total of 798(506 cloacal and 292 faecal) swabs from poultry and humans respectively were collected and analyzed. The viability of 307 isolates stored in 15% glycerol and 85% tryptone broth at -200C was determined after 7-13 months
Results: A total of 312 (39%) were positive for Campylobacter species which comprises of 119 (30%), 20 (30%), 3 (14%), 9 (56%), 1 (50%) and 160 (55%) in chicken, guinea fowls, pigeons, ducks, turkey and humans respectively. The total of 38 (24%), 63 (39%) and 59 (37%) humans and 29 (19%), 79 (52%) and 44 (29%) poultry isolates were positive for C. jejuni, C. coli and C. lari respectively. A total of 261 (85%) of the stored isolates were still viable on re-isolation with the viability rates of 41 (95%), 67 (85%), and 17 (59%) at 7, 9 and 13 months of storage respectively. There was a negative correlation between months of storage and viability rates. However, there was no significant statistical association (P>0.05) between prevalence rate and species of poultry.
Conclusion: Campylobacter species have been detected with varying degree of prevalence in both poultry and humans and their ability to survive freezing at -200C (95%) for up to 7 months as revealed in the study area being the second largest livestock producer in Nigeria is a concern not only to food and livestock industries but of public health importance. This is due to the cost of gastroenteritis management, antimicrobial resistance, food contamination and complications like paralytic condition called Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
Key words: Campylobacter species, humans, Poultry, Sokoto, Nigeria
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