RESEARCH ARTICLES

Occurrence of thermophilic Campylobacter spp. in pigs and the assessment of biosecurity measures employed at unorganized pig farms in Thrissur, Kerala
R. Vivekanandhan, B. Sunil, C. Latha, K. Vrinda Menon, R. Ambily and V.L Gleeja

doi: https://doi.org/10.51966/jvas.2022.53.4.602-608

Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences.2022.53(4):602-608.

Author Details

R. Vivekanandhan: PhD Scholar, Department of Veterinary Public Health, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur -680651, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Kerala, India.

B. Sunil : Professor and Head, Department of Veterinary Public Health, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur -680651, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Kerala, India.

C. Latha : Director of Academics and Research, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Pookode, Wayanad, Kerala-673576

K. Vrinda Menon: Associate Professor, Department of Veterinary Public Health, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur -680651, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Kerala, India.

R. Ambily : Assitant Professor, Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy - 680 651, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Kerala, India.

V.L Gleeja : Associate Professor and Head, Statistics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy- 680 651, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Kerala, India

 

Article History

Received: 29.04.2022, Accepted: 29.06.2022, Published online: 31.12.2022

Corresponding author: R. Vivekanandhan

e-mail : vivekrmvc22@gmail.com

Citation: Vivekanandhan, R., Sunil, B., Latha, C., Vrinda Menon, K., Ambily, R. and Gleeja, V.L. 2022. Occurrence of thermophilic Campylobacter spp. in pigs and the assessment of biosecurity measures employed at unorganized pig farms in Thrissur, Kerala. J. Vet. Anim. Sci. 53(4): 602-608

DOI: https://doi.org/10.51966/jvas.2022.53.4.602-608



Abstract


Campylobacter spp. is considered as one of the major causes of foodborne illnesses worldwide. A total of 130 samples including faecal samples (n=40), rectal swabs (n=40) and sewage samples (n=50) were collected from the two unorganized pig farms to study the occurrence of Campylobacter spp. The biosecurity measures on the farms were also assessed. An overall occurrence of 26.15 per cent with a higher rate of isolation from rectal swabs (57.5 per cent) than faecal and sewage samples (25 per cent and 2 per cent) were observed. The occurrence of C. coli was found to be 55 per cent, while that of C. jejuni and C. coli was 5 per cent in rectal swabs collected from Farm A. Campylobacter coli could be isolated only from the sewage sample from farm B. Direct multiplex PCR screening detected C. coli in 32 per cent and 44 per cent of sewage samples from farms A and B, respectively. This indicates that the Campylobacter organisms in sewage samples might have attained viable but not culturable form. In both farms, no effective biosecurity measures were followed. The lack of biosecurity measures in farms contributes to the transmission of Campylobacter spp. from the environment to the animals. Farm workers of both the farms were unaware of hygienic practices and biosecurity measures. Furthermore, little attention was paid to personal protective measures, which could pose a significant occupational risk of contracting campylobacteriosis, resulting in complex sequelae.

Keywords: Biosecurity, Campylobacter, Campylobacteriosis, One Health, Pig farm