The investigation of the presence and antimicrobial profiles of Arcobacter species in sheep carcasses and feces

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the presence and the prevalence of Arcobacter butzleri, Arcobacter cryaerophilus, and Arcobacter skirrowii in sheep carcass swabs and feces from sheep with and without diarrhea raised in Istanbul. Also it was aimed to determine their resistance profiles against some antimicrobials. For this purpose, 50 fecal samples from sheep without diarrhea, 50 fecal samples from sheep with diarrhea, and 50 carcass swab samples from sheep were the material of this study. Arcobacter spp. were isolated from 49 (32.6%) of total 150 samples. 34 samples (68%) of 50 fecal samples from sheep with diarrhea, 5 samples (10%) from 50 fecal samples of sheep without diarrhea and 10 samples (20%) of 50 sheep carcass swabs were found to be positive according to isolation results. According to multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (mPCR) results, 31 of 49 were identified as A. skirrowii (63.3%), 9 of 49 were A. butzleri (18.3%), while 9 of 49 were A. cryaerophilus (18.3%). As a conclusion, Arcobacter species should be taken into consideration especially in sheep with diarrhea. Additionally, it should be considered that arcobacters have started to gain resistance against fluoroquinolones.