Identification of Campylobacter Species in Feces of Apparently Healthy Dogs and Cats by PCR Technique in Gonbad City

Subject Areas : Smal Animal Medicine

Morteza Razaghi Manesh ^{1 *} , Mohamd Reza Norozi Khorasani ² , Mahan Yaghmaee ³ , Mohamad Hossein Naserbakht ⁴ , Fatemeh Homayoon ⁵

1 - Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Shushtar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shushtar, Iran
2 - Graduated from Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Shushtar Branch, Shushtar, Iran
3 - Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Student, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Shushtar Branch, Shushtar, Iran
4 - Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Student, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Shushtar Branch, Shushtar, Iran
5 - Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Student, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Shushtar Branch, Shushtar, Iran

Received: 2025-04-09 Accepted : 2025-06-05 Published : 2025-06-06

Keywords: Campylobacter, Dog, Cat, PCR,

Abstract :

Campylobacteriosis is a common disease between humans and animals that causes diarrhea in humans, dogs, cats and other domestic and wild animals. The purpose of this study was to identify Campylobacter species in feces of apparently healthy dogs and cats by PCR technique in Gonbad city. In this research, samples were collected by obtaining a complete history from the referred cats. Sampling was done using a sterile swab from the rectal area of 100 apparently healthy dogs and cats. For sampling, two swabs were used at the same time. One swab was used for culture and isolation of bacteria and the other swab sample was used for DNA extraction and then PCR test was performed and the desired data were statistically analyzed. The results obtained in the present study indicated that no contamination was observed in any of the cats. In dogs, Campylobacter infection was 20.83%. Infection was higher in old dogs than in young dogs, so that the rate of infection increased with age. Because of the frequent presence of Campylobacter species in cat feces, these organisms can play a role as a risk factor for public health. Accordingly, periodic tests and separating dogs and cats with diarrhea from other animals, especially dogs and cats that use raw meat and live in shelters, are very important.

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