Identification through Culture and Molecular Methods of Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter fetus in Surface Waters in Rasht
Keyvan Roshanjo *
Department of Microbiology, Guilan Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Guilan, Iran.
Nematallah Jonaidi Jafari
Health Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Leila Asadpour
Medical Microbiology, Department of Veterinary Science, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran.
Reza Ranjbar
Molecular Biology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Davoud Afshar
Department of Pathobiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Abbas Farahani
Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Hormozgan Health Institute, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
Milad Shahsafi
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Arak, Iran.
Arian Rahimi
Department of Virology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Backgrounds: As zoonotic infectious agents, Campylobacter spp. are important factors causing gastroenteritis in humans. Surveys show that the three strains; Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter fetus play a major role in human infections. Identification of these infectious agents is valuable for sanitary control of disease transmission through water resources.
Objectives: The aim of this study was identification and molecular diagnosis of Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter fetus in surface waters in Rasht.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 45 samples of surface water in Rasht collected according to water health guidelines. After culture and biochemical tests on collected samples, detection and identification of Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter fetus was done using sequence-specific amplification by Multiplex PCR. The results were subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS software.
Results: Out of 45 samples tested, 6 were positive in culture, four of which were identified as Campylobacter jejuni after biochemical tests. Using Multiplex PCR, 8 samples were positive, from which 3 were Campylobacter jejuni, 1 Campylobacter coli and 4 were positive for both Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli. All the samples did not yield C. fetus.
Conclusions: Multiplex PCR is regarded a diagnostic method with higher sensitivity and specificity than compared to methods for Campylobacter. The prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in surface waters in Rasht is considerable. Therefore, public health measures for the control of these organisms are recommended.
Keywords: Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, Campylobacter fetus, multiplex PCR, molecular diagnosis, water