Prevalence of Campylobacter species in apparently healthy goats in Sokoto state (Northwestern) Nigeria

Abstract

A total of 1312 rectal swabs (feacal) samples were collected from apparently healthy goats across Sokoto state and processed for Campylobacter organisms. 264 (20.1%) of the samples were positive and yielded 272 Campylobacter species.Campylobacter species isolated in this study were Campylobacter jejuni 169(62.1%),Campylobacter coli 58(21.3%), Campylobacter lari 24(8.8%), Campylobacter upsaliensis 13(4.8%) and Campylobacter sputorum 8(3.0%). Biotyping of the isolates indicated that C. jejuni biotype I (52.6%) and C. coli biotype II (82.8%) were the most common biotypes while all the C. lari isolates were biotype I. The isolation of Campylobacter organisms and the identification of C. jejuni biotype I and C. colibiotype II from goats in this study is a clear indication of the presence ofCampylobacter in goats in Sokoto state. Campylobacter organisms must be considered as potential agent of enteritis and abortion in goats as well as a serious public health problem.   Key words: Biotypes, Campylobacter, Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli,Nigeria, prevalence, goats.