Antibiotic resistance profiles of Campylobacter species in the South Africa private health care sector

Authors

  • Christiana O. Shobo College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal; Durban, South Africa
  • Linda Antionette Bester College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal; Durban, South Africa
  • Sooraj Baijnath College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal; Durban, South Africa
  • Anou M. Somboro College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal; Durban, South Africa
  • Abdool K.C. Peer Lancet Laboratory, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
  • Sabiha Y. Essack College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal; Durban, South Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.8165

Keywords:

Campylobacter, antibiotic resistance, fluoroquinolones, macrolides, tetracycline

Abstract

Introduction: There is a dearth of surveillance data on clinical Campylobacter in South Africa, particularly in the private healthcare environment. We investigated the prevalence of resistance to first-line antibiotics used to treat campylobacterioses in clinical Campylobacter isolates from a private pathology laboratory.

Methodology: Identification of the Campylobacter specific genes were confirmed by PCR. Minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined using the broth micro-dilution method against macrolides (erythromycin, azithromycin), fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, gatifloxacin) and tetracycline.

Results: Seventy-two Campylobacter isolates were identified by PCR, with 54 (75%) being classified as C. jejuni and 18 (25%) as C. coli. Of these, 11 (20.4%) C. jejuni and six (33.3%) C. coli strains were resistant to ciprofloxacin and three (7.41%) C. jejuni and three (16.7%) C. coli strains were resistant to gatifloxacin. The number of C. jejuni strains resistant to erythromycin and azithromycin was 17 (31.5%) and 36 (50%) respectively, while the resistance of C. coli strains to erythromycin and azithromycin were seven (38.9%) and 14 (77.8%) respectively. Resistance to tetracycline was detected in 10 (55.6%) C. coli and 14 (25.9%) C. jejuni strains.

Conclusion: In the light of these resistant profiles, the lack of a South African Campylobacter surveillance program is of concern. Relatively high prevalence of resistance in clinical isolates of C. jejuni and C. coli to the fluoroquinolones, macrolides and tetracycline used in first line treatment is of great concern. The efficacy treating human campylobacteriosis should thus be revisited.

Author Biographies

Christiana O. Shobo, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal; Durban, South Africa

Antimicrobial Research Unit, College of Health Sciences

Linda Antionette Bester, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal; Durban, South Africa

Biomedical Resource Unit

School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences

Sooraj Baijnath, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal; Durban, South Africa

Catalysis and Peptide Research Unit, College of Health Sciences

Anou M. Somboro, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal; Durban, South Africa

Antimicrobial Research Unit, College of Health Sciences

Abdool K.C. Peer, Lancet Laboratory, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Lancet Laboratory

Sabiha Y. Essack, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal; Durban, South Africa

Professor

Professor:  Pharmaceutical Sciences

Director: Antimicrobial Research Unit

College of Health Sciences

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Published

2016-11-24

How to Cite

1.
Shobo CO, Bester LA, Baijnath S, Somboro AM, Peer AK, Essack SY (2016) Antibiotic resistance profiles of Campylobacter species in the South Africa private health care sector. J Infect Dev Ctries 10:1214–1221. doi: 10.3855/jidc.8165

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Section

Original Articles