Prevalence, associated risk factors and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of species among dogs attending veterinary practices at Veterinary University, Mathura, India.

Campylobacteriosis is among the leading bacterial causes of human gastroenteritis all over the world and most of the isolates are resistant to different antibacterials. Pet rearing has been identified as a risk factor for infection in humans. The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of faecal shedding among dogs, to estimate the specific prevalence of shedding, to identify the associated risk factors and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of spp. in dogs attending veterinary practice at Veterinary University, Mathura, India. Rectal swabs were aseptically collected and incubated using selective media and species isolation was further processed following standard protocols. In addition, genus and species specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed for species differentiation. A total of 134 dogs were included in this study. Among 134 faecal samples cultured, 38 samples (28.36%) were positive for species. was the most prevalent isolate in dogs. Breed, age, clinical signs of diarrhea and habitat sharing had statistically significant association with shedding. On drug sensitivity assay with 19 commonly used antibacterials 100% resistance was shown against amoxycillin, ampicillin, aztreonam, cefotaxim, lincomycin, oxytetracycline, penicillin, streptomycin and tetracycline. It was followed by pefloxacin (92.11%), chloramphenicol (86.84%), ciprofloxacin (84.21%), nitrofurazone (78.94%), ofloxacin (76.32%), norfloxacin (73.68%) and cefaclor (73.68%). The results of the present study revealed high prevalence of spp. among dogs. The prevalence was higher in dogs of nondescript breed, pups and dogs sharing their habitat. The antimicrobial resistance patterns showed a high rate of multi drug resistant isolates in the dog population. Therefore, awareness in handling of dogs is important to prevent the zoonotic transmission of bacteria from pets to human beings especially in children and immunocompromised patients.