INVESTIGATION OF FOODBORNE CAMPYLOBACTER SPECIES IN ANIMAL PRODUCTS AND HUMAN FROM SELECTED DISTRICTS OF SIDAMA REGION, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Campylobacter species, small, microaerophilic, spirally curved, Gram-negative rods with characteristic fast corkscrew motility, are pathogens of major public health concern of global importance and among the leading cause of zoonotic foodborne gastroenteritis and acute diarrhea in humans worldwide. Human infection typically occurs through ingestion of contaminated foods or water and direct contact with feces of infected animals or humans. A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2023 to June 2024 with the aim of investigating the presence of Campylobacter species in selected animal-derived foods (beef, milk, and eggs) and stool samples of diarrheic patients in three districts of Sidama region. For this study, a total of 284 samples, comprising raw beef (n=46), chicken eggshell swabs (n=47), raw cow milk (n=91), and stool samples of diarrheic patients (n=100), were purposively collected. The individual samples were examined using standard microbiological culture techniques and biochemical tests for isolation and identification, followed by species-level confirmation of presumptive isolates by polymerase chain reaction using specific primers. Molecular analysis confirmed the detection of thermophilic Campylobacter species in 17 (6%) of the samples with species distribution of C. lari (35.3%), C. coli (17.6%), C. jejuni (17.6%) and other unidentified thermophilic Campylobacter species (29.4%). The majority of the isolates were detected in chicken eggshell swabs (12.8%, n=6), followed by stool samples of diarrheic patients (6%, n=6), raw beef samples (4.35%, n=2) and raw cow milk samples (3.3%, n=3), but there was no difference (p > 0.05) in all of these prevalence values. The presence of thermophilic Campylobacter species in raw beef, egg, and milk can suggest the products to be important reservoirs posing the risk of foodborne public health hazards. Therefore, to mitigate these risks, it is crucial to enforce adequate safety measures and good hygienic practices in egg, milk, and beef producers and retailers. Adoption of the One Health approach to promote medical and veterinary sectors’ collaboration is recommended to prevent the spill-over transmission of the pathogen between animals and humans and improve public health outcomes.