Occurrence of sheep carrier of infection with Campylobacter spp. in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil

ABSTRACT:

The objective of this study was to determine the occurrence and risk factors associated with Campylobacter spp. infection in sheep in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil. A total of 421 fecal samples were collected from 20 herds for the isolation of Campylobacter spp. The species Campylobacter fetus and Campylobacter jejuni were identified by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). To analyze the risk factors, logistic regression was conducted through a questionnaire about the hygienic-sanitary and reproductive management. The occurrence of Campylobacter spp. was 4.5% (19/421; C.I. 2.8 to 7.1%). Of the 19 positive samples isolated, eight (1.9% CI 0.9 to 3.9%) were classified as C. fetus subsp. fetus and seven (1.7% CI 0.7 to 3.5%) as C. jejuni, with co-infection in four samples (0.95%). The number of identified focuses was 35.0% (7/20) of the sheep herds that had at least one positive animal. The logistic regression analysis did not identify any of the variables as a risk factor. This appears to be the first report of infection with Campylobacter spp. in sheep herds in northeastern Brazil. Thus it is necessary to implement measures for control and prevention avoid damage to sheep production and risk to public health, since campylobacteriosis is considered an emerging zoonosis.

INDEX TERMS:
Campylobacter spp.; campylobacteriosis; sheep; bacterioses