Prevalence of Campylobacter species in fecal samples of pigs and humans from Zuru Kebbi State, Nigeria

Aim: The study was carried out to survey and determine the prevalence of Campylobacter species among pigs and humans within the pig rearing areas of Zuru Kebbi State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among household pigs and humans between September, 2013 and February, 2014. Isolation and characterization of Campylobacter species were performed using standard culture isolation techniques and biochemical characterization. A total of 450 fecal samples comprised of 300 from pigs and 150 from humans was collected and analyzed. Results: Prevalence of Campylobacter were 278 (92.67%) and 94 (62.67%) for pigs and humans respectively. The most encountered Campylobacter species in both cases was Campylobacter coli (276 [74.19]) followed by Campylobacter jejuni (62 [16.66]). The least isolated species in pigs was Campylobacter hyointestinalis 5 (1.8%) while Campylobacter lari 2 (2.13%) was least isolated in humans. C. lari was not found in pigs. No significant association (p>0.05) existed between Campylobacter isolates and the age and sex of both pigs and humans in this study. Conclusion: Both pigs and humans within the pig rearing areas of Zuru have been shown to harbor Campylobacter species and this might be due to extensive system of pig farming with indiscriminate defecation by pigs coupled with unhygienic disposal of human wastes in the environment and poor personal hygiene.