Occurrence of Campylobacter in dogs and cats in Selangor Malaysia and the associated risk factors
- Author:
Mohammed Dauda Goni
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Campylobacter, cat, dog, risk factors
- From:Malaysian Journal of Microbiology
2017;13(3):164-171
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Aims: Campylobacter is the most widely reported zoonotic bacterial agent that causes enteric disease in humans
worldwide with millions of cases recorded far exceeding salmonellosis in Europe and United States. The objective of this
study was to determine the occurrence of Campylobacter in dogs and cats and their associated risk factors.
Methodology and results: A total of 101 rectal swabs were collected from both pets (n=40) and stray dogs (n=61) for
the study. Similarly, a total of 86 rectal swabs were taken from stray cats (n=46) and pet cats (n=40) from client pets at a
university veterinary hospital and from stray dogs and cats from animal shelters. Campylobacter were isolated by
culture, identified by biochemical tests and confirmed and speciated, using mPCR assay. The result showed occurrence
of Campylobacter in stray dogs and stray cats were 16.3% and 32.6% respectively, while in pet dogs and cats were 12.5
% each. Based on the mPCR assay, three species of Campylobacter were identified in dogs namely Campylobacter
upsaliensis (66.6%), C. jejuni (6.7%) and C. heliviticus (20%), while C. upsaliensis (55%), C. helviticus (20%) and C.
jejuni (6.7%) were identified in cats. The risk factors for the presence of Campylobacter in the animals were analysed
but none was significantly associated, however the occurrence in cats was found higher in adults, females, those kept
outdoors and residing in town areas, multipets household, cats with no history of being given antibiotics in past
infections and being fed on raw meat and fish while the occurrence of Campylobacter was high in dogs of local breeds,
females, of young age, being kept outdoors and fed raw meat and fish.
Conclusion, significance and impact of study: These findings showed that Campylobacter were quite prevalent in
both stray and pet dogs and cats which may contaminate other animals and spread in the environment as
Campylobacters. It is of public health concern as humans can contract the disease if they do not practice proper hygiene
after coming into contact with an infected animal or contaminated environment.
