PREVALENCE OF CAMPYLOBACTER SPP. IN WATER BODIES OF CENTRAL KERALA.

Campylobacteriosis is one among the leading causes of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the occurrence of Campylobacter spp. in water bodies in central Kerala by conventional plating technique using Blood-free campylobacter broth and modified Charcoal Cefoperazone Deoxycholate agar in combination with multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR). The influence of physicochemical parameters of water like pH, conductivity, temperature, total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity, resistivity, dissolved oxygen and hardness on this organism was also evaluated. Campylobacter spp. was detected in 54.76, 16.67, 6.67, 6.67, 30.0 and 10.0 per cents of streams/rivers (42), ponds (30), lakes (30), wells (30), brackish waters (30) and seawater (coastal-15 and deep-15), respectively, by direct mPCR of broth enriched samples. The predominant species was Campylobacter jejuni, followed by Campylobacter coli in rivers/streams. This study revealed a higher degree of turbidity in river/stream, hardness in pond water as well as resistivity, electrical conductivity and TDS in brackish waters and higher electrical conductivity in seawater, which are usually less conducive for survival of the organism. An alkaline pH in lake water favoured the survival of the organism. Campylobacter spp. in water bodies indicate that these can act as possible sources for transmission of food-borne campylobacteriosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]