Arcobacter, an emerging opportunistic food borne pathogen--A review

Abstract

Background: Arcobacters, emerging aetiologic agents of food-borne diarrhoeal illness in humans and animals are more frequently isolated in meat, especially poultry meat, pork and beef. Though human infection may exist, it has not been documented in Nigeria.

Aim: This review presents an update of scientific information in Nigeria on arcobacters as an emerging food-borne pathogen of public health significance in Nigeria.

Methods: A comprehensive reviews of literatures was adopted to give an update on scientific findings on the disease in Nigeria.

Results and conclusions: The review revealed scientific evidences attributing the cause of human and animal illness to Arcobacter spp. It also highlights efforts towards the development of animal models where in virulence and pathogenicity of primarily A. butzleri and A. cryaerophilus isolated from human diarrhoeal stool samples were tested. This in turn elucidated the public health significance of this emerging food-borne pathogen. The review canvases for more investigation as to the role of arcobacters in food contamination and unrecognised food-borne disease in Nigeria.