Open AccessMolecular detection and genetic characterization of Arcobacter butzleri isolated from red-footed pet tortoises suspected for Campylobacter spp. from Grenada, West Indies
Author(s) -
Bhumika Sharma,
Katelyn Thille,
Vanessa Matthew Belmar,
Roxanne Nicholas Thomas,
Ravindra Sharma
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0230390
Subject(s) - campylobacter , tortoise , arcobacter , biology , polymerase chain reaction , feces , veterinary medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , zoology , genetics , medicine , bacteria , gene
The aim of the study was to detect and genetically characterize Arcobacter butzleri in pet red-footed tortoises suspected for Campylobacter spp., using molecular techniques. A written consent from tortoise owners was obtained, after explaining the advantages of the research to tortoise owners of Grenada. Fecal samples were collected from 114 tortoises from five parishes of the country and cultured for Campylobacter spp. using selective culture techniques. A . butzleri was isolated from 4.39% of pet tortoises. Total thirteen isolates were obtained; all identified as A . butzleri by a universal and a species-specific Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing. Genetic characterization of these isolates was performed based on Enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus PCR (ERIC-PCR) that generated eight different genetic fingerprints with a discriminatory power of 0.91. Campylobacter species were not detected molecularly in any of the culture-positive samples. This is the first report of infection of pet tortoises in Grenada, West Indies with A . butzleri . This study emphasizes on the risk of zoonotic transmission of A . butzleri by exotic pets, which is a serious concern for public health.