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

Sheep Campylobacter isolates from Kaduna State were characterized into their species and bioserogrouped. A total of 1100 samples were collected from Kaduna abattoir and National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Shika. The samples were from 250 gallbladder, 250 intestinal contents, 100 fetal stomach contents all from Kaduna abattoir while 250 rectal swabs and 250 vaginal swabs were from the NAPRI Small Ruminant Programme. Of a total of 1100 samples, 39 (3.54%) yielded Campylobacter organisms. The highest isolation rate (6.8%) was from samples of intestinal contents followed by those from gall bladders (4.0%). Samples from the vaginal and fetuses had the lowest isolation rates (2.80%) and (0%), respectively. Of the 39 Campylobacter isolates from all the sources, (79%) were characterized as C. fetus subsp jejuni, C. coli (13%) and C. laridis (8.0%). while C. coli and C. laridis were isolated from gall bladder and intestinal contents only. Campylobacter 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 serogroups 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 isolation of Campylobacter organisms from rectum, vagina, gallbladder, and intestinal contents is a clear indication that sheep serves as a reservoir of this organisms in Nigeria. Similarities between documented human Campylobacter isolates in Nigeria and those in the present study raised the possibility of cross-transmission between sheep and man. It is concluded that biotyping and serotyping can be used for epidemiological study of campylobacteriosis due to Campylobacter jejuni in sheep in Kaduna State of Nigeria.