Detection of Campylobacter spp. in Healthy Pet Rabbits and Rodents Using Multiplex PCR

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Articles

Authors

1 Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iranan

Abstract

Background: Campylobacter is an important and common cause of human gastroenteritis. These species can cause diarrhea, hematochezia, meningitis, septicemia, and human Guillain-Barre syndrome. Objectives: This study determined the prevalence of Campylobacter and its species in healthy pet rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and squirrels referred to the Small Animal Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran. Food-producing animals is the most important source of infection in humans, while rabbits and guinea pigs’ meat and fur consumption have increased in many countries, little is known about their role as a source of infection. The true incidence of Campylobacter may be underestimated Methods: Fecal samples from 92 rabbits, 4 guinea pigs, 2 hamsters, and 2 squirrels were acquired and assessed for the presence of campylobacter species by Multiplex PCR. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 26.0 software. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to analyze qualitative data Results: 5 samples in rabbits, 1 sample in hamsters and 1 sample of squirrels were positive for campylobacter spp. no campylobacter spp. was detected in guinea pigs. All the species were C. jejuni. Conclusion: Campylobacter spp. was detected in healthy rabbits, hamsters, and squirrels. Age, gender and sexual status did not have a significant effect on Campylobacter infection. According to the results of this study, rabbits and rodents kept as pets should be considered an important source of zoonotic pathogens for humans and can be reservoirs of Campylobacter spp. and can infect people and other animals by shedding these organisms in stool.

Keywords

Iranian Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 04 January 2025

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