Potential Virulence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility ofCampylobacter jejuniIsolates from Food and Companion Animals

Abstract

Infection in humans with Campylobacter jejuni is commonly associated with exposure to food animal fecal material. In this study, we report on the recovery, potential for virulence and antimicrobial resistance levels of C. jejuni isolated from food and companion animals. Three hundred and seventy-eight fecal samples from food and companion animals and surface swabs from beef carcasses were tested for the presence of C. jejuni. C. jejuni was isolated from 13.8% (11/80) of dogs, 5% (1/20) of goats, 28.3% (17/60) of dairy cattle, 0% (0/65) of range cattle, 73.5% (36/49) of feedlot cattle, and 94.7% (18/19) of beef carcasses. Beef cattle from a single Arizona herd showed a considerable increase in fecal shedding of C. jejuni from pasture to feedlot and over time on the feedlot. Forty-two isolates were tested for susceptibility to four antimicrobial agents, each representing a class of antimicrobial drug approved for use in both humans and animals. None of the isolates were found to be resistant to erythromycin or gentamicin, whereas 2.4% of isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin and 28.6% of isolates were resistant to tetracycline. The presence of virulence traits among the 42 isolates was assessed using in vitro macrophage survival and epithelial cell adherence and invasion assays. Of the isolates examined, 17 were able to survive within macrophages through 72 h at viable counts of >/=10(3)/well and 12 were capable of invading epithelial cells at viable counts of >/=10(3)/well. Data from these studies suggests that many of the isolates recovered from the non-poultry animal sources have the capacity to cause disease if transmitted to humans.

Characterization of antimicrobial resistance and application of RFLP for epidemiological monitoring of thermophilic Campylobacter spp. isolated from dogs and humans in Korea

“…isolates from dogs and humans was identified. This result agrees with the previous studies which suggested that none of C. jejuni isolates from humans and companion animals was resistant [16,28]. However, other studies reported 3-6.8% of erythromycin resistance in C. jejuni isolated from humans [7,18].…”

“…isolates from humans and companion animals [16,18,30]. A higher rate of resistance to tetracycline was also observed, mainly in C. coli isolated from pigs and broilers (62 and 52%, respectively) [30].…”

Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles and Mechanisms of Resistance inCampylobacter jejuniIsolates from Pets

“…Few studies on antimicrobial susceptibility in C. jejuni isolates from pets have been reported in the literature. Sandberg et al (2002) and Lee et al (2004) detected low rates of antimicrobial resistance by E-testing of C. jejuni isolates from pets. Resistance was only detected in 2 of 11 (18.2%) and in 1 of 11 (9.1%) C. jejuni isolates to tetracycline and to ciprofloxacin, respectively (Lee et al, 2004).…”

“…Sandberg et al (2002) and Lee et al (2004) detected low rates of antimicrobial resistance by E-testing of C. jejuni isolates from pets. Resistance was only detected in 2 of 11 (18.2%) and in 1 of 11 (9.1%) C. jejuni isolates to tetracycline and to ciprofloxacin, respectively (Lee et al, 2004). The isolates were obtained from dogs in shelters and private households in Arizona, United States, and comparison between shelter and private household pets was not performed.…”

Comparison ofIn VitroVirulence Factors ofCampylobacter jejunitoIn VivoLesion Production

“…However, Lindblom and Kaijser (1995) reported that the proportions of poultry and human isolates showing invasiveness were not statistically different. Campylobacter isolates from retail meat products (Zheng et al, 2006), and from food and companion animals (Lee et al, 2004) exhibited a wide range of adherence and invasion abilities, suggesting that strains do have differing virulence potential. However, few studies have been undertaken to demonstrate that animal isolates that invade epithelial cells in vitro are truly able to cause disease in humans.…”