Abstract

A study was conducted to establish the epidemiology of Campylobacter species in the four agricultural zones of Sokoto. A total of 798 (506 cloacal and 292 fecal) swabs from poultry and humans respectively were screened and analyzed using standard culture isolation technique and biochemical characterization. A total of 152 (30%) and 160 (55%) were positive for Campylobacter spp. in poultry and humans respectively. The prevalence rates of 53, 28, and 18% were for Campylobacter coli, Campylobacter lari and Campylobacter jejuni in poultry while 39, 37 and 24% were for C. coli, C. lari and C. jejuni in humans, respectively. The prevalence rate of 30% was recorded in both chicken and guinea fowl, while 14, 56 and 50% were found in pigeon, ducks and turkey, respectively. The prevalence rates were slightly higher in males than females in both poultry and humans. There was no significant statistical association (P>0.05) between prevalence rate and species. The prevalence in agricultural zones revealed 42, 39, 28 and 13% in Gwadabawa, Isah, Sokoto and Tambuwal, respectively in poultry, while in humans, 65, 25, 50 and 70% were recorded in the same order. There was no significant statistical association (P>0.05) between prevalence rate and sex, but the association between prevalence and zones were statistically significant (P<0.05) in both poultry and humans. Poultry in the state have been shown to harbor Campylobacter spp. and may serve as reservoir of infection for humans. Humans independent of age and sex, were infected with Campylobacter spp.. The transportation of poultry together with humans in the same truck while moving birds from different locations to live bird markets should be discouraged. Adequate environmental sanitation and strict hygiene measures should be implemented in the poultry slaughter slabs and processing units in the state.

Key words: Campylobacter species, poultry, humans, agricultural zones, Sokoto State, Nigeria