Abstract

PREVALENCE, VIRULENCE CHARACTERIZATION AND ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE OF HIPPURATE HYDROLYZING CAMPYLOBACTER JEJUNI IN DRINKING WATER

Dr. Param Pal Sahota, Vainy Garg, Dr. Gulab Pandove

Abstract

Campylobacter jejuni have emerged as important zoonotic waterborne emerging pathogen and have been associated with higher incidence of progression to Guillain-Barre syndrome. The present study was carried out for one year (2012-2013) to determine the prevalence of C. jejuni and E. coli in all drinking water utilities (Hand Pump, Submersible pump and municipal tap water supply) of Ludhiana, Punjab, India. The contamination rates with positive C. jejuni and E. coli were 39% and 21% respectively. No positive correlation between the simultaneous occurrence of C. jejuni and E. coli were observed (P < 0.005, R2 = 0.474). All the isolates of C. jejuni (n=39) were positive for virulence marker test Congo dye uptake and hemolysis. Hemolysin associated with lecithinase production and showed multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) of 0.42 (> 0.2). MAR index higher than 0.2 identifies organisms that originate from high-risk sources of contamination, where antibiotics are often used. These results highlight the pathogenic potential of C. jejuni in drinking water which calls for public health concern.

Keywords: Campylobacter jejuni, E. coli, Guillain-Barre syndrome, Multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR), zoonotic.