Ocorrência de ovinos portadores da infecção por Campylobacter spp. na microrregião Garanhuns, Pernambuco

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the occurrence and risk factors associated with infection with Campylobacter spp. in sheep creations in the micro-region Garanhuns, State of Pernambuco, Brazil. Were collected 421 fecal samples from sheep flocks coming 20 for the isolation of Campylobacter spp. and Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter fetus species were identified by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). To analyze the risk factors logistic regression was performed from the questionnaire with objective questions about the hygienic-sanitary and reproductive management. The occurrence of Campylobacter spp. it was 4.5% (19/421; C.I. 2.8% - 7.1%). The 19 positive samples in cultivation, eight (1.9% CI 0.9% - 3.9%) were classified as C. fetus subsp. fetus and seven (1.7% CI 0.7% - 3.5%) as C. jejuni, coinfected with four stool samples (0.95%). The number of identified focus was 35.0% (7/20) of the creations of sheep that had at least one positive animal. In logistic regression analysis did not identify any of the variables as a risk factor. This is the first report of infection with Campylobacter spp. in sheep herds in northeastern Brazil, and it is concluded that infection occurs in those herds. Thus, it is necessary to implement prevention and control measures to prevent the propagation of agent between the creations, avoiding damage to sheep production and risk to public health, since campylobacteriosis is considered an emerging zoonosis.