Incidence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Campylobacter Species Isolated from Poultry Eggshell Samples

CAMPYLOBACTER species (Campylobacter spp.) are imperative foodborne pathogens regarding to the consumption of contaminated poultry products. An existing survey was performed to determine the incidence and antimicrobial resistance profile of Campylobacter spp in egg samples from 9 poultry species. Four-hundred and fifty poultry eggshell samples were collected and assessed by bacterial culture. Campylobacter spp were identified by PCR. Antimicrobial resistance profile was assessed by the disk diffusion. Eighty-four of 450 (18.67%) eggshell samples were contaminated with Campylobacter species. The uppermost and lowermost rates of contamination with Campylobacter spp were found in local chicken (30%) and chicken (8%) eggshells. Incidence of Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) and Campylobacter coli (C. coli) amongst the isolated Campylobacter spp. were 53.57% and 46.43%, respectively. C. jejuni displayed the uppermost incidence of resistance toward tetracycline (66.66%), nalidixic acid (62.20%) and ciprofloxacin (48.89%). C. coli bacteria displayed the uppermost incidence of resistance toward tetracycline (46.15%), nalidixic acid (41.03%) and ciprofloxacin (30.77%). Poultry eggshells, particularly local chicken and partridge were potential sources of transmission of Campylobacter spp. to human. Well-cooking of eggs and monitor the hygienic circumstances of aviculture can reduce the risk of Campylobacter in eggshells. Further surveys are essential to assess other roles of the Campylobacter spp in poultry eggshell samples.