Contact with poultry and animals increases risk of Campylobacter infections in adults of Ardabil province, Iran
Abstract: The acute
gastroenteritis caused by campylobacteriosis is known as one of the common
infectious diseases with worldwide distribution. The aim of this study was to
detect Campylobacter species in stool samples by routine culturing and
polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and explore the risk factors in adult subjects
in East Azerbaijan province of Iran.
Methods
A cross sectional study involving 1010 adult subjects, from whom stool
samples were collected. Samples with inflammatory criteria like fecal leukocytes
(WBC ³5) were selected and isolated through fecal lactoferrin detection test.
The WBC ³5 and lactoferrin positive samples were selected for Campylobacter
detection by culture and PCR methods. The required information consisting of
gender, age, place of habitation, and contact with poultry and animals were
asked and recorded. Chi-square test and prevalence ratio (PR) was used to
analyze the data.
Results
Of 1010 stool samples, 231 (22.9 %) had WBC ³5, and from these samples 58
(25.1%) were positive by culturing and 61 (26.4 %) by PCR. Subjects having
habitual contact with animals and poultry had increased risk of Campylobacter
infections by 1.65 times compared with subjects without contact with animals
and poultry (PR=1.65; 95% CI:1.07-2.68).
Conclusions
Detection of Campylobacter infections by PCR was more sensitive in
adults. Investigation of Campylobacter prevalence in Ardabil showed this
bacterium should be viewed as one of the possible pathogens in inflammatory
diarrheal cases. People having habitual contact with animals should check the
health of the animals regularly and not consume food from suspected sources.
Keywords: Campylobacter;
culture; lactoferrin; patient; PCR; prevalence
Author: Reza Ranjbar, Daryoush
Babazadeh
Journal Code: jpkedokterangg170045
