Bioserogroups of Campylobacter species isolated from sheep in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Sheep Campylobacter isolates from Kaduna State were characterized into thei r species and bioserogrouped. A total of 1100 samples were collected from K aduna abattoir and National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), S hika, The samples were from 250 gallbladder, 250 intestinal contents, 100 f etal stomach contents all from Kaduna abattoir while 250 rectal swabs and 2 50 vaginal swabs were from the NAPRI Small Ruminant Programme. Of a total o f 1100 samples, 39 (3.54%) yielded Campylobacter organisms. The highest iso lation rate (6.8%) was from samples of intestinal contents followed by thos e from gall bladders (4.0%). Samples from the vaginal and fetuses had the l owest isolation rates (2.80%) and (0%), respectively. Of the 39 Campylobact er isolates from all the sources, (79%) were characterized as C. fetus subs p jejuni, C. coli (13%) and C. laridis (8.0%). while C. coli and C. laridis were isolated from gall bladder and intestinal contents only. Campylobacte r fetus subsp jejuni biotype 1 accounted for 40.3% of the total isolates. C . laridis biotypes I and II were also isolated and accounted for 5% and 3% of the isolates, respectively. 5% of the isolates were not typeable. The se rogroups 4 (13%), 36 (10%), 9 (10%), 84 (8%), 29 (5%) and 20 (8%) were the commonest serogroups identified in sheep at two locations surveyed. The iso lation of Campylobacter organisms from rectum, vagina, gallbladder, and int estinal contents is a clear indication that sheep serves as a reservoir of this organisms in Nigeria. Similarities between documented human Campylobac ter isolates in Nigeria and those in the present study raised the possibili ty of cross-transmission between sheep and man. It is concluded that biotyp ing and serotyping can be used for epidemiological study of campylobacterio sis due to Campylobacter jejuni in sheep in Kaduna State of Nigeria. (C) 20 00 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.