Risk factors for Campylobacter infection in Norwegian cats and dogs

Prevalence ofCampylobacterand four endoparasites in dog populations associated with Hearing Dogs

OBJECTIVES

This study established the prevalence of four gastrointestinal parasites (Isopora species, Giardia species, Uncinaria stenocephala, Toxocara canis) and one bacterial infection (Campylobacter jejuni/coli) in dogs associated with the charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.

METHODS

Dogs' faeces were routinely sampled from dogs according to whether they were in Socialising, Kennelling or Visiting the Hearing Dogs site. A further group consisted of dogs with diarrhoea.

RESULTS

Prevalence rates for dogs in Socialising (n=326), Kennelling (n=117), Visiting (n=106) and Diarrhoea (n=59) groups, respectively, were as follows: Campylobacter- 26, 21, 15 and 31 per cent; Coccidia - 3, 0, 0 and 2 per cent; Giardia- 13, 3, 2 and 10 per cent; hookworm - 1, 1, 4 and 5 per cent; and Toxocara- 4, 2, 3 and 2 per cent. There were significant differences in the levels of Giardia and hookworm found between the four different groups of dogs. No significant gender differences were found, and dogs that were positive for Campylobacter in the Visiting group were significantly younger.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

This study provides current information on the infection rates in specific dog populations in the UK. This is relevant to the veterinary health of dogs and the possible risk of zoonotic infection to humans.

Antimicrobial resistance in Campylobacter jejuni from broilers and broiler house environments in Norway

Antimicrobial susceptibility in Campylobacter jejuni collected from the environment outside four broiler houses (n = 63) and from the environment inside these broiler houses (including broiler droppings) (n = 36) from May to September 2004 was studied and compared with isolates from Norwegian broilers analyzed within the frame of the Norwegian monitoring program of antimicrobial resistance in feed, food, and animals (NORM-VET) in 2004 (n = 75). The MICs of oxytetracycline, ampicillin, erythromycin, gentamicin, enrofloxacin, and nalidixic acid were obtained by the broth microdilution method VetMIC. The present study, which to our knowledge is the first Norwegian study on the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance in Campylobacter spp. from the environment of broiler houses, revealed a very low occurrence of antimicrobial resistance in C. jejuni from the broilers and broiler house environments studied. All isolates originating from the four broiler houses studied were susceptible to all the antimicrobial agents tested, except for one isolate from the outdoor environment (courtyard soil), which was resistant to oxytetracycline (MIC, 8 mg/liter). For the isolates from broilers (NORM-VET), low prevalences of resistance to oxytetracycline (1.3%) and ampicillin (4%) were observed. No quinolone resistance was observed. The results for the broiler isolates are in agreement with the earlier findings of a very low prevalence of resistance in Campylobacter from broilers in Norway, which reflects the low usage of antimicrobials in Norwegian broiler production. Furthermore, the present data are in accordance with antimicrobial susceptibility data for C. jejuni from domestically acquired human cases.

Salmonellae and campylobacters in household and stray dogs in northern Taiwan

Rectal swabs were collected from 437 household and 491 stray dogs in northern Taiwan from May 2003 to June 2005 to investigate the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibilities of salmonellae and campylobacters. The results revealed that 2.1% of household dogs and 6.3% of stray dogs were positive for salmonellae, with Salmonella Duesseldorf being the most dominant serotype in both. Additionally, 2.7% of the household dogs and 23.8% of the stray dogs were positive for campylobacters. Campylobacter jejuni was the most prevalent species (86.8%), followed by C. upsaliensis (9.3%) and C. coli (3.9%). Both salmonella and campylobacter isolation rates from the stray dogs were significantly higher than those from the household dogs (p < 0.01). The susceptibility of 33 C. jejuni isolates to eight antimicrobials was studied by the E-test. A high rate of resistance was observed to azithromycin (93.9%), clindamycin (87.9%), erythromycin (81.8%), tetracycline (78.8%), chloramphenicol (69.7%), nalidixic acid (51.5%), gentamicin (33.3%), and ciprofloxacin (18.2%). The susceptibility of 40 Salmonella isolates to 15 antimicrobials was also studied by the disc-diffusion method. All the Salmonella isolates were susceptible to ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone. Resistance was observed most frequently to tetracycline (77.5%), chloramphenicol (52.5%), and ampicillin (50%).

Pet dogs and chicken meat as reservoirs of Campylobacter spp. in Barbados

Campylobacter spp. are the second most common pathogen isolated from stools of patients with gastroenteritis in Barbados. The aim of this study was to identify reservoirs of Campylobacter and the likely source(s) of human infection. Fecal specimens from 596 animals and 311 samples of animal food products were analyzed for the presence of Campylobacter spp. by standard culture techniques. Isolates were characterized by conventional phenotypic tests, confirmed by latex agglutination and PCR with genus-specific primers, and identified by the use of species-specific primers. High isolation rates were obtained for chickens (94.2%), pigs (90.5%), dogs (46.9%), cats (37.3%), and wild birds (39.3%). Campylobacter was also recovered from monkeys (17.1%) and sheep (4.2%) but not from cows. Chicken meat was frequently contaminated with Campylobacter (58.4%), but its recovery from other animal food products was rare. Campylobacter jejuni was the most commonly identified species in humans (63.6%), chickens (86.6%), dogs (51.5%), and chicken meat (79.8%). Porcine isolates were predominantly C. coli (98.4%), while cats harbored mainly C. upsaliensis and C. helveticus. Wild birds alone carried urease-positive thermophilic campylobacters. C. jejuni and C. coli isolates from different sources were compared with isolates from humans by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA typing with the primers OPA 11 and HLWL 85. Genotyping revealed similarities between isolates from chicken meat and those from humans and could not distinguish between two clinical isolates and four canine strains. Our results suggest that dogs are significant reservoirs of Campylobacter and contribute to human enteric infections and that chicken meat is a likely vehicle for the transmission of campylobacters to humans.

Campylobacter spp. in Dogs and Cats in Switzerland: Risk Factor Analysis and Molecular Characterization with AFLP

A 1-year cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence, risk factors for carriage, and genetic diversity of Campylobacter spp. in healthy dogs and cats in Switzerland. Veterinary practitioners collected samples from 1268 animals (all ages) presented for vaccination. The prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in 634 dogs and 596 cats that were eligible for the study was 41.2% (confidence interval 95%: 37.3-45.1%) and 41.9% (CI 95%: 37.9-46%), respectively. Risk factors identified for carriage of Campylobacter jejuni were found to be different from risk factors for C. upsaliensis/C. helveticus. Young animals (< or =3 years) had significantly higher odds of carrying C. upsaliensis/C. helveticus than older animals (OR 1.8-3.3), whereas for C. jejuni carriage, the age was not a risk factor. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) genotyping revealed heterogeneity among C. jejuni strains and was found to clearly separate C. helveticus from C. upsaliensis. It was shown that cats more often carry C. helveticus with an estimated prevalence of 28.2%, whereas dogs mainly are carrying C. upsaliensis.

Epidemiologic features of Campylobacter infection among cats in the upper midwestern United States

OBJECTIVE

To describe the epidemiologic features of Campylobacter infection among cats in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area.

DESIGN

Prevalence survey.

ANIMALS

152 cats examined at 3 private veterinary clinics and an animal humane society.

PROCEDURES

Fecal samples were submitted for bacterial culture for Campylobacter spp. To determine the duration of Campylobacter carriage, follow-up fecal samples were collected from cats with positive Campylobacter culture results.

RESULTS

Campylobacter organisms were cultured from 37 of the 152 (24%) fecal samples. Campylobacter isolates were identified as Campylobacter upsaliensis (29 cats), Campylobacter jejuni (2), and Campylobacter coli (1); species of the remaining 5 isolates could not be determined. Campylobacter organisms were isolated from 36 of the 122 (30%) cats that were < or = 1 year old but from only 1 of the 30 (3%) cats that were > 1 year old, and shedding was more common during the summer and fall months. No association between Campylobacter shedding and clinical signs of disease was identified. For 4 of 13 cats from which follow-up fecal samples were obtained, duration of Campylobacter carriage could not be determined because Campylobacter organisms were isolated from all follow-up samples. For the remaining 9 cats, median duration of Campylobacter carriage was 44 days.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

C. upsaliensis can commonly be isolated from the feces of overtly healthy kittens in the Midwest United States. Because carriage may be prolonged, veterinarians should encourage good hand hygiene among owners of cats, especially among owners with new kittens in their household.

Potential Virulence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility ofCampylobacter jejuniIsolates from Food and Companion Animals

Infection in humans with Campylobacter jejuni is commonly associated with exposure to food animal fecal material. In this study, we report on the recovery, potential for virulence and antimicrobial resistance levels of C. jejuni isolated from food and companion animals. Three hundred and seventy-eight fecal samples from food and companion animals and surface swabs from beef carcasses were tested for the presence of C. jejuni. C. jejuni was isolated from 13.8% (11/80) of dogs, 5% (1/20) of goats, 28.3% (17/60) of dairy cattle, 0% (0/65) of range cattle, 73.5% (36/49) of feedlot cattle, and 94.7% (18/19) of beef carcasses. Beef cattle from a single Arizona herd showed a considerable increase in fecal shedding of C. jejuni from pasture to feedlot and over time on the feedlot. Forty-two isolates were tested for susceptibility to four antimicrobial agents, each representing a class of antimicrobial drug approved for use in both humans and animals. None of the isolates were found to be resistant to erythromycin or gentamicin, whereas 2.4% of isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin and 28.6% of isolates were resistant to tetracycline. The presence of virulence traits among the 42 isolates was assessed using in vitro macrophage survival and epithelial cell adherence and invasion assays. Of the isolates examined, 17 were able to survive within macrophages through 72 h at viable counts of >/=10(3)/well and 12 were capable of invading epithelial cells at viable counts of >/=10(3)/well. Data from these studies suggests that many of the isolates recovered from the non-poultry animal sources have the capacity to cause disease if transmitted to humans.

Longitudinal study of the excretion patterns of thermophilic Campylobacter spp. in young pet dogs in Denmark

The Campylobacter excretion patterns of 26 domestic pet dogs were described in a longitudinal study. The dogs entered the study between 3 and 8 months of age and were monitored until 2 years of age. They were tested monthly for Campylobacter carriage in stool samples that were cultured on the Campylobacter-selective media CAT and modified CCDA agar at 37 and 42 degrees C. This study comprised 366 fecal swab samples, of which 278 (76.2%) were found to be Campylobacter positive, with the following distribution of species: 75.0% Campylobacter upsaliensis, 19.4% Campylobacter jejuni, 2.1% Campylobacter lari, 0.7% Campylobacter coli, and 2.8% Campylobacter spp. Isolates were typed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to elucidate the strain excretion pattern. All study dogs excreted Campylobacter spp. during the study period. At 3 months of age, 60% of the dogs carried Campylobacter, increasing to nearly 100% carriers at 1 year of age, whereafter the carriage rate decreased to 67% at 24 months of age. The PFGE types showed that individual dogs were often colonized by unique strains of C. upsaliensis for several months, up to 21 months or longer. These C. upsaliensis strains were either clonal (or underwent concurrent minor mutative changes) or independent strains. In contrast, the excreted C. jejuni isolates were much more diverse and, in most cases, only seen in one sample from each dog. A high degree of diversity among different dogs was seen. We conclude that young domestic pet dogs excreted Campylobacter spp. during the majority of their puppyhood and adolescent period. In general C. upsaliensis strains were excreted for months, with short-term interruptions by or cocolonization with other transitory Campylobacter spp., predominantly C. jejuni. C. jejuni was more prevalent in dogs between 3 months and 1 year of age than in dogs between 1 and 2 years of age.