Epidemiology of thermotolerant Campylobacter infection in poultry in Nsukka agricultural zone, Nigeria

Background and Aim: Thermotolerant Campylobacter organisms (TCOs) are primary causes of bacterial foodborne gastroenteritis worldwide. Although all warm-blooded animals are susceptible to colonization by TCOs, food-producing animals, especially poultry, are major reservoirs of the infection for transmission to humans. This epidemiological study for thermotolerant Campylobacter infection (TCI) in poultry was, therefore, conducted to determine the prevalence and to identify the risk factors of TCI in 60 randomly selected poultry farms in Nsukka agricultural zone. Materials and Methods: A structured questionnaire was used to elicit information on the farmers’ involvement in practices that may aggravate TCI in poultry farms. Isolation of TCOs for the determination of prevalence of the infection was done following standard microbiological protocol. Results: The majority (93.3%) of the farms practiced intensive management system. Farm and individual prevalence of TCI were 78.3% and 19.4%, respectively. The prevalence of 15.7% and 23.6% was recorded for birds reared in urban and rural areas, respectively. Similarly, prevalence rates of 17.2%, 25%, 14.7%, and 24.5% were documented for broiler, layer, male, and female birds, respectively. Major risk factors of TCI found were non-sanitization of drinking water, rearing birds of different ages together, thinning, raising other animals alongside poultry, and overstocking. Conclusion: Overall prevalence of 19.4% is high from public health and food safety points of view. Farmers’ participation in the risk factors for TCI is massive. Significant improvement in biosecurity practices in poultry farms in the study area is therefore imperative; to limit TCI in poultry and hence the risk of human infection through the food chain or at the poultryhuman interface.