A Comprehensive Analysis of the Occurrence, Antibiotic Resistance, and Virulence Genes of Thermophilic Campylobacter in Uttarakhand Province of India Spanning a Period of Fourteen Years

Aman Kamboj

doi:10.56093/ijans.v96i8.176864

Authors

Aman Kamboj GB Pantnagar

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijans.v96i8.176864

Abstract

Thermophilic Campylobacter species are major contributors to bacterial food-borne gastroenteritis worldwide, creating significant public health and economic issues. There is limited surveillance data on the epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter in Northern India. This study examined the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance patterns, and molecular investigation of virulence genes in Campylobacter strains from various sources in Uttarakhand, India, spanning fourteen years (2009-2022). A total of 19,469 samples were collected from poultry, livestock, wildlife, humans, and environment across all 13 districts of Uttarakhand. Isolation was performed using selective enrichment and plating on modified Charcoal Cefoperazone Deoxycholate Agar (mCCDA). Molecular confirmation used genus-specific 16S rRNA PCR and multiplex PCR targeting the lpxA gene for species identification. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing used the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method against eight antibiotics. Virulence gene detection was performed using gene-specific PCR for ten prominent virulence-associated genes. Among 19,469 samples tested, 1,713 were positive, resulting in an overall prevalence of 8.80%. The most common species were Campylobacter jejuni (63%) and Campylobacter coli (32%). Poultry showed the highest prevalence at 25.9%, followed by cattle at 17.9%, and pigs at 11.4%. Complete resistance was noted against Cephalothin and Co-Trimoxazole (100%), whereas Nalidixic acid (80.8%) and Erythromycin (73.4%) maintained considerable effectiveness. The virulence genes cadF (100%), flaA (99.37%), and cdtB (92.79%) were highly prevalent, indicating a strong pathogenic potential. This research uncovers significant Campylobacter contamination in Uttarakhand, accompanied by concerning antimicrobial resistance and widespread virulence genes. It is crucial to promptly adopt improved biosecurity protocols, antimicrobial stewardship initiatives, and ongoing surveillance to reduce the public health threats posed by campylobacteriosis.

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