engleski

Campylobacter spp. in healthy dogs and cats in Manawatu, New Zealand

Campylobacteriosis is the most common bacterial enteric disease in humans worldwide and in New Zealand. Disease is most commonly associated with C. jejuni and C. coli although other Campylobacter species might cause clinical signs but are underdiagnosed. The significance of the pathogenic potential of Campylobacter spp. in pets remains controversial and pets are suspected to be the only reservoir of C. upsaliensis and C. helveticus. There is limited data regarding Campylobacter spp. in dogs and cats in New Zealand. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in healthy dogs and cats in Manawatu, New Zealand. Rectal swabs were obtained at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital from animals examined for neutering, dental care, or vaccination. In total, 110 cats and 90 dogs were recruited. All samples were processed within 24h of collection using two selective bacterial culture methods to allow isolation of a wide range of Campylobacter spp. Confirmation of the results of culture and speciation was performed by PCR. Prevalence rates of the carriage of Campylobacter spp. were 35.6% (32/90) and 17.3% (19/110) in dogs and cats, respectively. C. upsaliensis was detected in 68.8% and C. jejuni in 37.5% of dogs shedding Campylobacter spp. C. helveticus and C. lari were each recovered from one dog only. In cats, C. jejuni, C. upsaliensis and C. helveticus were isolated in 36.8%, 26.3% and 42.1%, respectively. Co-carriage was recorded in 4 dogs and 1 cat. This was the first time C. helveticus has been confirmed in New Zealand. Although pets pose a minor risk to humans for contracting C. jejuni/coli by source attribution studies in Manawatu, further investigations are required to investigate the prevalence of other Campylobacter spp. in humans with bacterial gastro-enteritis and the potential role pets might play in the transmission of pathogens.

Campylobacter ; zoonosis ; dogs ; cats ; prevalence

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