[afro-nets] Open Learning Web site on Enteric pathogens

["Salvatore Rubino" <rubino@uniss.it>]

Open Learning Web site on Enteric pathogens
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Dear Friends of the Open Learning Web site on Enteric pathogens

A new lecture is available at the new web site

http://www.oloep.org

Reservoirs of Campylobacter in Barbados

Suzanne Workman (Barbados),
Department of Biological & Chemical Sciences
University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus

Campylobacter is the second most common bacterial pathogen isolated from diarrhoeal stools in Barbados. The aim of this study was to identify local reservoirs of Campylobacter and determine likely sources of human infection. Fresh faeces or rectal swabs from 596 animals and 311 samples of animal food products were analysed for the presence of Campylobacter spp. by culture on selective isolation media. Isolates were characterised using conventional biochemical tests, confirmed by latex agglutination and polymerase chain reaction with genus-specific primers, and identified using species-specific primers. High isolation rates were obtained for chickens (94.2%), pigs (90.5%), dogs (46.9%), cats (37.3%) and wild birds (39.3%). Campylobacter was also isolated from monkeys (17.1%) and sheep (4.2%), but not from cows. Campylobacter was frequently recovered from chicken meat (58%); however, recovery from other animal food products was uncommon. C. jejuni was the most common species amongst isolates from humans (63.6%), chickens (86.6%), dogs (51.5%) and chicken meat (79.8%). Isolates from pigs and pork were predominantly C. coli (98.4%); cats carried mainly C. upsaliensis and C. helveticus. Urease-positive thermophilic campylobacters were carried by wild birds alone. RAPD analysis with primers OPA 11 and HLWL 85 was performed on C. jejuni and C. coli isolates from different sources. Such genotyping revealed similarities between chicken meat isolates and human isolates and could not differentiate between two clinical isolates and four canine strains. The findings of this study suggest that dogs are significant reservoirs of Campylobacter and contribute to human enteric infection on the island of Barbados, and that chicken meat is a likely vehicle for transmission of campylobacters to humans.

ciao Salvatore Rubino

Prof. Salvatore Rubino
Dip. di Scienze Biomediche
V.le San Pietro 43/b
07100 Sassari (Italy)
Tel: +33-79/228302
Fax: +33-79/212345
Cell: +33-83865292
email: mailto:rubino@uniss.it