PCR detection of Campylobacter species in feces from dogs.

摘要

The presence of Campylobacter DNA was studied by means of PCR in fecal samples from 37 dogs suffering from acute or chronic diarrhea and 50 dogs without clinical signs. In total, 47% of the fecal samples were positive for Campylobacter DNA, with C. upsaliensis being the predominant species, followed by C. coli, C. jejuni and C. mucosalis. C. helveticas, C. lari, C. hyointestinalis, C. sputorum, C. fetus and C. lanienae DNA was not detected in any of the samples. No significant difference was noted between the healthy dogs and the diarrheic dogs. Dogs younger than 12 months old were significantly more often infected with Campylobacter species than older dogs. Although a pathogenic role cannot be excluded, the detection of these organisms in fecal samples is not diagnostic for Campylobacter-associated disease in dogs. However, because of their frequent presence in dog feces, Campylobacter species may constitute a public health hazard.