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. 2023 Nov;16(11):2250-2255.
doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.2250-2255. Epub 2023 Nov 11.

Fecal prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in house dogs in Lebanon: A pilot study

Ghassan Ghssein  1   2 , Rana Barakat  1   2 , Nada Nehme  3 , Rana Awada  1 , Hussein F Hassan  4
Affiliations

Fecal prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in house dogs in Lebanon: A pilot study

Ghassan Ghssein et al. Vet World. 2023 Nov.

Abstract

Background and aim: Campylobacter spp. are Gram-negative bacilli that are widely recognized as a primary cause of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide. Campylobacteriosis is the disease caused by this pathogen. Recently, greater attention has been given to the prevalence of campylobacteriosis in different animals, including pets. These animals are considered to be significant reservoirs for this zoonosis. In Lebanon, the occurrence of Campylobacter infection is high. Our first-of-its-kind pilot study in Lebanon aimed to estimate the fecal prevalence of Campylobacter species in house dogs.

Materials and methods: Thirty-five rectal swabs were collected from male and female house dogs of different ages, both with or without diarrhea. Samples obtained from the dogs were subjected to qualitative microbiological culture testing and molecular diagnosis by polymerase chain reaction assays after bacterial DNA extraction.

Results: Fecal prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in house dogs in this study was 17%. There was a relatively higher prevalence among young females and a significant difference between healthy dogs and those suffering from diarrhea.

Conclusion: Campylobacteriosis was found to be prevalent among house dogs in Lebanon, making them potential carriers of Campylobacter species.

Keywords: Campylobacter; Lebanon; fecal prevalence; house dogs; polymerase chain reaction.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Figure-1
Figure-1
Percentage of positive and negative samples.
Figure-2
Figure-2
Percentage of positive and negative samples according to (a) age, (b) sex of dogs, and (c) symptom.
Figure-3
Figure-3
Polymerase chain reaction results on agarose gel (M=Marker, PC=Positive control, NC=Negative control, S=Sample).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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