Isolation and molecular characterization of Campylobacter jejuni from chicken and human stool samples in Egypt

Two hundred broiler chicken samples, 160 laying chicken samples and 75 human stool samples were collected in Egypt. The samples were microbiologically examined, and the C. jejuni isolates were confirmed biochemically and by PCR targeting the mapA gene of C. jejuni. The prevalence of the cadF virulence gene was then determined using PCR. A total of 17.33%, 17% and 11.87% of human stool, broiler chicken and laying chicken samples, respectively, were positive for C. jejuni, with a total of 66 Campylobacter jejuni isolates (15.17%). Ten C. jejuni isolates (15.15%) carried the cadF virulence gene (7.69%, 20.58% and 10.52% of human stool samples, broiler and laying chicken samples respectively). Phylogenetic investigation demonstrated that two of the isolates from chicken had high homology with other C. jejuni isolates from human stool samples. Moreover, amino acid sequence alignment revealed a mutation in these isolates of zoonotic significance. The present results support the possible risk of transmitting highly virulent C. jejuni as a foodborne pathogen from both broiler and layer chickens to human in Egypt. Active on-farm biosecurity measures on chicken farms and more hygienic efforts in slaughter houses, in local chicken slaughter shops should be made for the effective control of this foodborne disease.