Agents of Campylobacteriosis in Different Meat Matrices in Brazil.

We aimed to identify the prevalence of thermophilic species of Campylobacter in meats of different species available on the Brazilian commercial market and to determine the genetic diversity, antimicrobial resistance and virulence potential of the isolates. A total of 906 samples, including chicken, beef and pork carcasses and chicken and beef livers, were purchased in retail outlets, and prevalences of 18.7% (46/246), 3.62% (5/138), 10.14% (14/138), 3.62% (5/138) and 4.47% (11/132), respectively, were identified, evidencing the dissemination of genotypes in the main producing macro-regions. Of all isolates, 62.8% were classified as multidrug resistant (MDR), with resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanate (49.4%), tetracycline (51.8%) and ciprofloxacin (50.6%) and co-resistance to macrolides and fluoroquinolones (37.1%). Multivirulent profiles were identified mainly in isolates from chicken carcasses (84.8%), and the emergence of MDR/virulent strains was determined in pork isolates. All isolates except those from chicken carcasses showed a high potential for biofilm formation (71.4% luxS) and consequent persistence in industrial food processing. For chicken carcasses, the general virulence was higher in C. jejuni (54.3%), followed by C. coli (24%) and Campylobacter spp. (21.7%), and in the other meat matrices, Campylobacter spp. showed a higher prevalence of virulence (57.2%). The high rates of resistance and virulence reinforce the existence of strain selection pressure in the country, in addition to the potential risk of strains isolated not only from chicken carcasses, but also from other meat matrices.

Campylobacteriosis: an emerging zoonosis, underdiagnosed and underreported by public health agencies in Brazil / Campilobacteriose: uma zoonose emergente, subdiagnosticada e subnotificada pelos órgãos de saúde pública no Brasil

The infection by Campylobacter spp. constitutes a zoonosis of worldwide distribution, with serious repercussions for public health and a significant socio-economic impact. The Campylobacter species that most often are implicated in outbreaks of gastrointestinal disease are C. jejuni and C. coli. Both are recognized as the most important and with greater pathogenic potential from the viewpoint of food safety. This review aims to clarify and discuss, based on literature, the epidemiology of Campylobacter spp. and the main challenges in their control, to assist in better understanding of the risk posed to human health. Due to the difficulty of isolating and cultivating of Campylobacter spp., the high cost and not mandatory, laboratory diagnosis by traditional cultivation techniques is not widely used in Brazil, resulting in lack of accurate data on the occurrence of the disease in the country. This factor has been identified as responsible for underdiagnosing and underreporting of the disease, which means that data on contamination of animal products or outbreaks are not statements of actual national situation. The epidemiology of Campylobacter spp. is considered complex presenting multiple determinants in the spread of this microorganism. Chickens are important reservoirs of Campylobacter sp. and the main target of control measures, however, other vehicles of transmission, such as raw cow milk, drinking water and other foods of animal origin must also be considered in the set of measures to be taken to control disease. The infection by Campylobacter spp. cause gastroenteritis in humans and occurred by oral contact with infected animals. In fact, are pets or production and food consumption, the most important pathways. The clinical manifestations of the disease can be from mild to severe symptoms, including watery diarrhea, sometimes with blood, abdominal pain, fever, headache and nausea. Sometimes the infection can get complications after the diarrhea stops and starts a progressive paralysis that can result in respiratory failure and severe neurological dysfunction and may even lead to death. The occurrence of campylobacteriosi's outbreaks should be mandatory to the authorities of surveillance, to provide an investigation of common sources and transmission control through preventive measures , thereby minimizing the potential risks to human health.

A infecção por Campylobacter spp. constitui em uma zoonose de distribuição mundial, com graves repercussões em saúde pública e com um impacto sócio-econômico significativo. Das espécies de Campylobacter sp., as que estão mais frequentemente implicadas nos surtos de doença gastrointestinal são C. jejuni e C. coli, sendo reconhecidas como as mais importantes e com maior potencial patogênico do ponto de vista da segurança alimentar. Esta revisão visa esclarecer e discutir, com base nos dados da literatura, a epidemiologia de Campylobacter sp. e os principais desafios no seu controle, para auxiliar no melhor entendimento do risco que representa para a saúde humana. Devido à dificuldade de isolamento e cultivo de Campylobacter sp., ao alto custo da análise e da mesma não ser obrigatória, o diagnóstico laboratorial por meio de técnicas tradicionais de cultivo não é muito utilizado no Brasil, acarretando falta de dados precisos sobre a ocorrência da doença no país. Este fator tem sido identificado como responsável por subdiagnóstico e subnotificação da enfermidade, o que significa que dados sobre contaminação de produtos de origem animal ou surtos não são demonstrativos da real situação nacional. A epidemiologia das infecções por Campylobacter spp. é considerada complexa, apresentando múltiplos fatores determinantes na disseminação desse microrganismo. As aves são importantes reservatórios de Campylobacter sp. e o principal alvo de medidas de controle, porém, outros veículos de transmissão, como o leite cru, a água potável e outros alimentos de origem animal também precisam ser considerados no conjunto de medidas a serem adotadas para o controle da doença. A infecção por Campylobacter sp. causadoras de gastroenterite no homem acontece principalmente por via oral, mas pode ocorrer também pelo contato com animais de estimação ou de produção infectados. O quadro clínico da doença varia desde sintomas leves a graves, incluindo diarreia aquosa, algumas vezes com sangue, dor abdominal, febre, dor de cabeça e náuseas. Porém, pode haver complicações posteriores devidoresposta auto-imune levando a paralisia progressiva que pode resultar em insuficiência respiratória e disfunção neurológica grave, podendo até mesmo levar a morte. A ocorrência de casos ou surtos de campilobacteriose devem ser notificados às autoridades de vigilância epidemiológica, para que se desencadeie a investigação das fontes comuns e o controle da transmissão por meio de medidas preventivas, minimizando assim os potenciais riscos para a saúde humana.