EMERGENCE OF CAMPYLOBACTERIOSIS IN ORLU, IMO STATE SOUTH EASTERN NIGERIA AND ITS ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY

Abstract

The epidemiology of Campylobacteriosis from humans, environment and food was studied for 3 years (May 2011 to April, 2014). Stool samples were collected from patients presenting with enteric diseases (gastroenteritis and fever). Water samples were collected from River and streams within Orluand fresh meat (beef and poultry) were purchased from markets in Orlu. The samples were examined bacteriologically by culture method. In May 2011 to April, 2012, 319 stool samples, 200 beef, 180 chicken and 156 water samples were exam inedand 48 (15%) stool samples, 34 (17%) beef, 17 (9.4%) chicken and 10 (6.4%) water samples were infected with Campylobacter jejuni. In May 2012 to April, 2013, 338 stool samples, 215 beef, 184 chicken and 150 water samples were examined, 71 (21%) stool samples, 49 (22.8%) beef, 23 (12.5%) chicken and 13 (8.7%) water samples were infected with Campylobacter jejuni. In May 2015 to April, 2014, 331 stool samples, 205 beef, 189 chicken and 159 water samples were examined, 64 (19.3%) stool samples, 57 (27.8%) beef, 24 (12.7%) chicken and 18 (11.3%) water samples were infected with Campylobacter jejuni. Out of 988 stool samples examined in the 3 years, 183 (18.5%) were infected with Campylobacter jejuni and 96 (9.7%) were infected with Salmonella species. Out of 620 beef examined, 140 (22.6%) were infected with Campylobacter jejuniand 57 (9.2%) were infected with Salmonella species. Out of 553 chicken, 24 (12.7%) were infected with Campylobacter jejuni, and 20 (10.6%) were infected with Salmonella species. Out of 465 water samples, 41 (8.8%) were infected with Campylobacter jejuni, and 34 (7.3%) were infected with Salmonella species. Antibacterial susceptibility tests using 6 commonly used antibiotics on Campylobacter isolates showed that Ceftriaxone inhibited the highest number of isolates in the 3 years while Tetracycline inhibited the least number. This study has shown that Campylobacteriosis is a re – emerging infectious disease of public health importance in Orlu, Imo State, Nigeria dwellers and travellers in the area constitute the risk group.