Characterization of thermophilic Campylobacter species from diarrhoeic dogs referred to veterinary hospitals in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Background: Campylobacter is a leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis globally, and pets are important reservoirs for human infections.

Aims: This study aimed at characterizing thermophilic Campylobacter from diarrhoeic dogs at major veterinary hospitals in Ilorin, Nigeria.

Methods: In a cross-sectional approach, 120 fecal samples were collected from diarrheic dogs presented to selected Veterinary Hospitals between March and December 2022. Campylobacter was isolated and identified using standard bacteriological methods. Subsets of the isolates were characterized targeting 16S rRNA, and all isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

Results: 13.0 (10.8%) of the samples were positive for Campylobacter. The isolation rate of Campylobacter from studs (2.5%) was lower than that of the bitches (8.3%) albeit the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conversely, the rate during raining season (9.2) was significantly higher than that of dry season (1.7%) (P<0.05). The isolates showed evolutionary relationships with Campylobacter coli (n=2) and Campylobacter jejuni (n=1). Varying resistance profiles were exhibited by the isolates, with 92.3% showing resistance to ampicillin and nalidixic acid, while 84.6% resisted tetracycline. The lowest rate (7.7%) of resistance was observed to chloramphenicol, and 46.2% of the isolates displayed MDR phenotypes.

Conclusion: This study reports Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter jejuni from dogs for the first time in Ilorin, Kwara State, and highlights the antimicrobial resistance patterns of the isolates. The presence of antimicrobial-resistant Campylobacter species in dogs calls for continuous surveillance, given the zoonotic potential of this organism.