Detection and molecular typing of campylobacter isolates from human and animal faeces in coastal belt of Odisha, India

Subtractive sequence-mediated therapeutic targets from the conserved gene clusters of Campylobacter hyointestinalis and computational inhibition assessment

Campylobacter hyointestinalis is a causative agent of enteritis, proctitis, human gastroenteritis, and diarrhea. Reported transmission is from pigs to humans. Link with gastrointestinal carcinoma has also been established in non-Helicobacter pylori patients carrying this strain. The genome size of the strain LMG9260 is 1.8 MB with 1785 chromosomal and seven plasmid proteins. No therapeutic targets have been identified and reported in this bacterium. Therefore, subtractive computational screening of its genome was carried out for the purpose. In total, 31 such targets were mined and riboflavin synthase was utilized for screening natural product inhibitors against it. Among more than 30,000 screened natural compounds from the NPASS library, three (NPC472060, NPC33653, and NPC313886) were prioritized to have the potential to be developed into new antimicrobial drugs. Dynamics simulation assay along with other relevant parameters like absorption, toxicity, and distribution of the inhibiting compounds were also predicted and NPC33653 was identified as having the best drug-like properties among the prioritized compounds. Thus, it has potential to be pursued further for the inhibition of riboflavin synthesis in C. hyointestinalis for subsequent obstruction of its growth and survival.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Detection of Campylobacter spp. in farmed sheep in Mymensingh division of Bangladesh: Prevalence, risk factors, and antimicrobial susceptibility status

Background and Aim

Campylobacter infections in sheep may be asymptomatic or cause enteritis, ileitis, infertility, and abortion. Thus, this study aimed to estimate the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in farming sheep and to detect risk factors, molecular patterns, and antimicrobial susceptibility status of these pathogens.

Materials and Methods

Four hundred and eight fecal samples were collected from 12 flocks in the Mymensingh and Sherpur districts. Samples were tested by both basic (culture and biochemical tests) and molecular (initially 16S rRNA and later hipO gene-based polymerase chain reaction). Furthermore, the antimicrobial susceptibility status of Campylobacter jejuni was confirmed using disk diffusion. Flock- and animal-level data were captured using semi-structured interviews with farm owners under bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to confirm the risk factors for Campylobacter-positive status.

Results

The prevalence of C. jejuni staining at the animal and flock levels was 8.82% (36/408) and 66.70% (8/12), respectively. The age of sheep was identified as an important risk factor. Up to 1 year of age, sheep were 3.78 times more likely to be infected with C. jejuni (95% confidence interval: 1.0736-13.3146, p = 0.038). Of the 36 isolates of C. jejuni, all were found to be fully susceptible (100%) to gentamicin and ciprofloxacin. In this study, three antimicrobial agents, oxytetracycline, azithromycin, and ceftriaxone, were fully resistant (100%). The majority of isolates were resistant to a combination of 4-6 antimicrobial agents.

Conclusion

The present study highlights the predominant maintenance of zoonotic Campylobacter species in sheep, and their burden on human health is enormous. Therefore, environmental, animal, and human health needs to be focused under a One Health lens to mitigate the occurrence of Campylobacter in farm settings and to prevent further introduction to animals and humans.

Global epidemiology of campylobacteriosis and the impact of COVID-19

Campylobacteriosis is a gastroenteritis caused by pathogenic Campylobacter species and an important topic in public health. Here we review the global epidemiology of campylobacteriosis in the last eight years between 2014-2021, providing comprehensive and updated information on the reported incidence and outbreaks of Campylobacter infections. The government public health website of each of the 195 countries and publications from 2014 to September 2022 in public databases were searched. The reported incidence of campylobacteriosis in pre-COVID-19 years was compared to that during the COVID-19 pandemic in countries where data were available. Czech Republic had the highest reported incidence of campylobacteriosis worldwide (215 per 100,000 in 2019), followed by Australia (146.8 per 100,000 in 2016) and New Zealand (126.1 per 100,000 in 2019). Campylobacter was one of the most common human enteric pathogens in both developed and developing countries. About 90% of cases of campylobacteriosis were caused by Campylobacter jejuni, whereas less than 10% of cases were caused by Campylobacter coli. Other Campylobacter species were also isolated. The reported incidence and case numbers of campylobacteriosis in developed nations have remained steadily high prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, whilst some countries reported an increasing trend such as France and Japan. While outbreaks were more frequently reported in some countries, Campylobacter infections were mainly sporadic cases in most of the developed countries. Campylobacter infection was more common in summer in some but not all countries. Campylobacter infection was more common in males than females. The COVID-19 pandemic has reduced the reported incidence of campylobacteriosis in most countries where 2020 epidemiology data were available. In conclusion, Campylobacter infection remains a global health concern. Increased research and improved strategies are needed for prevention and reduction of Campylobacter infection.

Campylobacter Gastroenteritis Among Under-Five Children in Southwest Ethiopia

Background

Under-five children are at an increased risk for foodborne illnesses because of the ingenuousness of their immune system. Although Campylobacter species are one of the bacterial etiologies of gastroenteritis, Campylobacter gastroenteritis among under-five children is not well considered in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed at exploring the prevalence, associated risk factors, and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of Campylobacter species among under-five children with diarrhea.

Methods

The institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among under-five children with diarrhea at Jimma Medical Center, southwestern Ethiopia from January 5 to April 21, 2020. Stool samples were collected and inoculated into Campylobacter agar medium. Isolation and identification were done using standard bacteriological techniques. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was conducted on Mueller-Hinton agar supplemented with 10% sheep blood using disk diffusion techniques. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to assess the associated risk factors.

Results

A total of 214 under-five children were enrolled. The prevalence of Campylobacter infection was 8.9%. Absence of caretakers' handwashing before preparation of food [AOR = 3.7, 95% CI: (1.2-10.8)], direct contact with domestic animals [AOR = 3.6, 95% CI: (1.0-12.7)], and consumption of raw dairy products [AOR = 4.5, 95% CI: (1.4-13.9)] are the factors associated with Campylobacter infection. Some Campylobacter species were found to be resistant to most available antibiotics.

Conclusion

The magnitude of Campylobacter gastroenteritis indicates the need for routine isolation and identification of Campylobacter species from all under-five children clinically diagnosed with diarrhea. Species that are resistant to the drug of choice for Campylobacteriosis are also emerging. Health education on the importance of pasteurization of milk and caretakers' handwashing can mitigate the transmission. Mechanism of handling of domestic animals should be considered to reduce transmission of zoonotic diseases like Campylobacteriosis.

Real-time multiplex PCR assay reveals the increased prevalence of Campylobacter spp and diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli in humans from Vellore, South India

Introduction. Bacterial dysentery is one of the greatest causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Campylobacter spp. and diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) are recognised as the most common causes of bacterial enteritis in developing countries including India.Hypothesis/Gap statement. Rapid and accurate identification of dysentery causing organisms using molecular methods is essential for better disease management, epidemiology and outbreak investigations.Aim. In view of the limited information available on the dysentery causing agents like Campylobacter spp., enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC)/enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) and enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC)/Shigella in India, this study was undertaken to investigate the presence of these pathogens in human and poultry stool samples by molecular methods.Methodology. In total, 400 human stool samples and 128 poultry samples were studied. Microaerophilic culture along with real-time multiplex PCR with the targets specific to the genus Campylobacter, Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, EHEC, EPEC and EIEC/Shigella was performed. Further species confirmation was done using MALDI-TOF MS.Results. On microaerophilic culture, C. coli was isolated in one human sample and two C. jejuni and one C. fetus in poultry samples. On PCR analysis, among human stool samples, typical EPEC (42%) was predominantly seen followed by Campylobacter spp. (19%) and EIEC/Shigella (10%). In contrast, Campylobacter spp. (41%) was predominant in poultry samples, followed by typical EPEC (26%) and EIEC/Shigella (9%). Poly-infections with Campylobacter spp. and DEC were also observed among both sources.Conclusion. The present study documented the increased prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in humans compared with the results of previous studies from India. Typical EPEC was found to be predominant in children less than 5 years of age in this study. The high prevalence of coinfections in the current study indicates that a multiple aetiology of diarrhoea is common in our settings.

Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Molecular Detection of Campylobacter in Farmed Cattle of Selected Districts in Bangladesh

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in selected districts of Bangladesh to estimate prevalence, risk factors, and molecular detection of Campylobacter isolates from 540 farmed cattle of 90 herds. As an individual sample, 540 feces, and as a pooled sample, 180 milk samples, 90 feed samples, 90 water samples, 90 manure samples, and 90 animal attendants' hand-rinse water were collected and tested via culture, biochemical, and molecular assays. A pretested semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect herd-level data on risk factors with the herd owners. The herd-level data on risk factors were analyzed through univariate and multivariate analyses, and a p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant for all analyses. Overall, farm-level prevalence of bovine Campylobacter was enumerated to be 53.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 42.5-63.9%). The feces sample was found to be a high level of contamination of 30.9% (95% CI: 27-35%) followed by the manure swab (pooled) at 15.6% (95% CI: 8.8-24.7%). Campylobacter jejuni was documented as an abundant species (12.6%), followed by Campylobacter coli (5.1%), and Campylobacter fetus (0.3%). Older farms (>5 years of age), no/minimum cleaning and disinfection practices, along with animal roaming outside of the farm, were documented as significant risk factors for farm-level Campylobacter occurrence. Evidence-based control measures need to be taken through stringent biosecurity and hygienic measurement to lessen the load of the Campylobacter pathogen in the farm environment and prevent further transmission to animals and humans.

Prevalence of campylobacter enteritis in children under 5 years hospitalised for diarrhoea in two cities of Northeast India

Background

Campylobacter enteritis is the major cause of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide. In recent years, there has been a rise in global incidence of campylobacteriosis. There are no available data on prevalence of Campylobacter diarrhoea from Northeast India.

Materials and Methods

The study investigated archival stool samples collected between 2014 and 2016 from two hospitals of Northeast India. A total of 407 archival stool samples from cases of diarrhoea under 5 years of age were screened for Campylobacter spp. using commercial probe-based real-time polymerase chain reaction assay.

Results

Campylobacter spp. was detected in overall 10.1% (41/407; 95% confidence interval: 7.4%-13.3%) in children under 5 years hospitalised for diarrhoea. The prevalence was significantly higher from Dibrugarh, Assam, compared to Dimapur, i.e., 13.4% (27/201) versus 6.8% (14/206), respectively (P = 0.02). Campylobacter detection was highest in the month of June and July compared to December and January (20%-18.8% vs. 8.9%-6.2%, respectively). Further, Campylobacter infection was higher in the age group below 24 months (11.7%) compared to above 24 months (7.0%). Campylobacter jejuni was detected in 80.5% of the positive cases.

Conclusion

The present study reveals that Campylobacter infection is endemic in the studied regions of Northeast India and microbiological laboratories of the region should actively pursue the isolation or detection of Campylobacter spp. in cases of diarrhoea in routine stool cultures.