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Molecular Epidemiology, Virulence Potential and
Source Tracking by Source Specific Markers of
Campylobacter jejuni
By
Fariha Masood Siddiqui
CIIT/FA10-PBS-004/ISB
PhD Thesis
in
Biosciences
COMSATS Institute of Information Technology
Islamabad- Pakistan
Fall, 2015
ii
COMSATS Institute of Information Technology
Molecular Epidemiology, Virulence Potential and
Source Tracking by Source Specific Markers of
Campylobacter jejuni
A Thesis Presented to
COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad
in partial fulfilment
of the requirement for the degree of
PhD (Biosciences)
By
Fariha Masood Siddiqui
CIIT/FA10-PBS-004/ISB
Fall, 2015
iii
Molecular Epidemiology, Virulence Potential and
Source Tracking by Source Specific Markers of
Campylobacter jejuni
______________________________________________________
A Post Graduate Thesis submitted to the Department of Biosciences as partial
fulfilment of the requirement for the award of the Degree of PhD (Biosciences).
Name Registration Number
Fariha Masood Siddiqui CIIT/FA10-PBS-004/ISB
Supervisor
Prof. Dr. Syed Habib Bokhari
Professor
Department of Biosciences
COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT) Islamabad Campus
December, 2015
iv
Final Approval This Thesis titled
Molecular Epidemiology, Virulence Potential and
Source Tracking by Source Specific Markers of
Campylobacter jejuni By
Fariha Masood Siddiqui
CIIT/FA10-PBS-004/ISB
Has been approved
For the COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad
External Examiner 1: ___________________________________________________
Prof. Dr. Azra Khanum
Professor, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi
External Examiner 2: ___________________________________________________
Dr. Shahid Mahmood Baig
Head, Health Biotechnology Division, NIBGE, Faislabad
Supervisor: ___________________________________________________________
Prof. Dr. Syed Habib Bokhari
Professor, Department of Biosciences, CIIT, Islamabad
HOD: _______________________________________________________________
Prof. Dr. Raheel Qamar (T.I.)
Professor, Department of Biosciences, CIIT, Islamabad
Chairperson: ___________________________________________________________
Prof. Dr. Mahmood Akhtar Kayani
Professor, Department of Biosciences, CIIT, Islamabad
Dean, Faculty of Sciences: _____________________________________________
Prof. Dr. Arshad Saleem Bhatti (T.I.)
Professor, Department of Physics, CIIT, Islamabad
v
Declaration
I Fariha Masood Siddiqui, CIIT/FA10-PBS-004/ISB hereby declare that I have produced
the work presented in this thesis, during the scheduled period of study. I also declare that
I have not taken any material from any source except referred and the amount of
plagiarism is within acceptable range. If a violation of HEC rules on research has
occurred in this thesis, I shall be liable to punishable action under the plagiarism rules of
the HEC.
Date: __________________ Signature of the Student:
_______________________
Fariha Masood Siddiqui
CIIT/FA10-PBS-004/ISB
vi
Certificate
It is certified that Fariha Masood Siddiqui, CIIT/FA10-PBS-004/ISB has carried out all
the work related to this thesis under my supervision at the Department of Biosciences,
COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad and the work fulfills the
requirement for award of PhD degree.
Date: ___________________
Supervisor:
________________________
Prof. Dr. Syed Habib Bokhari
Department of Biosciences
Head of Department:
________________________
Prof. Dr. Raheel Qamar (T.I.)
Head, Department of Biosciences
vii
DEDICATION
To my Loving Mother (Late)
To whom I owe sweet memories, who is no more with me but whose prayers
and wishes are with me
and
My Loving Father
Who guides and supports me in each and every step
viii
Acknowledgment
All praises for Almighty ALLAH, who is entire source of knowledge and wisdom
endowed to mankind; who bestowed me courage, abilities, loving parents and talented
teachers. Countless salutations of upon Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW), who is a role
model for humanity and who guided the mankind on true path of life.
I owe my gratitude to my supervisor, Prof. Dr. Habib Bokhari, for his supervision and
guidance. He has extended his kind and valuable suggestions to deal with problems
throughout my research work. I would like to extend my thanks to Prof. Dr. Raheel
Qamar, Head of Department of Biosciences, and my course work teachers Prof. Dr.
Habib Bokhari, Prof. Dr. Farah Mustafa, Dr. Rani Faryal, Dr. Asifa Ahmed, Dr. Tayyaba
Yasmeen and Dr. Muhammad Saeed.
I am indebted to British Council (INSPIRE) programme (Grant no. SP0019) for my
academic research visit to University of Exeter, UK. My humble thanks to Prof. Richard
Titball, Dr. Olivia Champion and Dr. Sok Kiang Lau, who provided me opportunity to
take up and conduct research and helped and guided me throughout my research visit.
I am highly grateful to Higher Education Commission for providing me funds through
HEC Indigenous scholarship (Batch - VII) for pursuing my PhD study and research.
I pay my special thanks to my seniors and lab oratory Muhammad Ali Syed, Muhammad
Idrees, Muhammad Ali Shah, Muhammad Akram, Saba Asad, Ayesha Khan, Maryam
Mehmood, Sidra Siddiqui, Mahwish Younas, Shafi Muhammad, Zobia Noreen, Sadaf
Raja, Sobia Kanwal and Maryam Zahra for their advices, utmost cooperation and
valuable company. Thank you all for your support and for creating a fun environment to
work in. The good friends that helped me through this chapter of my life are countless
and I thank you all, you know who you are.
My gratitude to the staff of lab oratory and Biosciences Department for their help and
support.
Words are inadequate to express gratitude for my loving Mother (Late), whose love,
prayers and wishes are my greatest asset. I am highly grateful to my Father for his love,
ix
prayers, moral and financial support, courage and guidance. I would have been nothing
without prayers of my parents.
I am also grateful to my sister and brothers for their support and for tolerating me.
May ALLAH bless all these people.
Finally, all errors that remain are mine alone.
Fariha Masood Siddiqui
CIIT/FA10-PBS-004/ISB
x
ABSTRACT
Globally Campylobacter jejuni, major cause of bacterial human gastroenteritis, is
frequently isolated from poultry, cattle and waste water. The goal of this research was to
assess (1) the isolation frequency of C. jejuni from diverse sources, (2) antibiotic
resistance profiling, (3) source attribution and distribution in clusters, (4) occurrence of
newly identified Type VI secretion system (T6SS). Samples were collected from
Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Gilgit. Overall 1305 samples were collected
from different sources, then confirmed by morphology, biochemical tests and PCR.
Antibiotic susceptibility was determined by disc diffusion method according to CLSI
2010. Beta lactamase producing strains were identified by Nitrocefin method. C. jejuni
isolates were grouped into clusters by two triplex predictive PCRs. Multiplex PCR based
on T6SS conserved genes was employed to screen Pakistani C. jejuni isolates and their
gene expression was determined by RT-PCR. C. jejuni strains were isolated from 13.6 %
clinical, 46.47 % poultry, 21.40 % cattle and 22.06 % wastewater samples. Highest
resistance rates were observed among poultry and wastewater isolates. Highest resistance
was observed for nalidixic acid, erythromycin and ceftriaxone. Most sensitive antibiotics
were found to be chloramphenicol and spectinomycin. Beta lactamase producing strains
were detected in 35 % clinical, 57 % poultry, 39 % cattle and 32 % wastewater isolates.
Group clustering showed majority of the isolates were in C4/C6 and C7/C8 groups while
none were assigned to C1/C2/C3 cluster. Results of identification of T6SS in C. jejuni
isolates revealed 4.64 % of all the isolates were positive for T6SS. Gene expression
analysis demonstrated down-regulation of T6SS in acidic environment. Our results
showed a high isolation frequency of multidrug resistant C. jejuni isolates in different
sources. Source tracking PCR revealed majority of clinical isolates were tracked to
nonlivestock sources. Surveillance strategies should be intended to lessen the burden of
C. jejuni infections by limiting transmission from livestock as well as non-livestock
sources. Our findings regarding T6SS highlight the need to establish the role of the T6SS
in environmental survival or virulence.
xi
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
ATCC American type culture collection
bp base pair
CC clonal complex
CDS coding DNA sequence
cDNA complementary deoxyribonucleic acid
CDT cytolethal distending toxin
CGH comparative genomic hybridization
CLSI clinical and laboratory standards institute
DEPC diethylpyrocarbonate
DNA deoxyribonucleic acid
dNTPs deoxyribo nucleotide triphosphates
DTT dithiothreitol
EDTA ethylenediaminetetraaceticacid
EFSA European food safety authority
GBS Guillian Barre’ Syndrome
gltA citrate synthase gene
hcp hemolysin coregulated protein
icmF intracellular multiplication factor
IID intestinal infectious disease
LOS lipooligosaccharide
LPS lipopolysaccharide
LT heat labile toxin
mCCDA modified charcoal cefoperazone dexoycholate agar
MDR multi drug resistant
MH broth Mueller hinton broth
mL milli litre
MLST multi locus sequence typing
mPCR multiplex polymerase chain reaction
NCTC national collection of type cultures
xii
OD optical density
ORF open reading frame
PBS phosphate buffered saline
PCR polymerase chain reaction
PR plasticity regions
RNA ribonucleic acid
RT reverse transcriptase
RT-PCR reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction
ST sequence type
STE sodium chloride tris-EDTA
Taq thermus aquaticus
T3SS type three secretion system
T4SS type four secretion system
T6SS type six secretion system
TE tris EDTA
µL micro litre
UPGMA unweighted pair group method analysis
VBNC viable but non culturable
vgrG valine glycine repeats G
WHO world health organization
WW wildlife and water
xiii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction …………………………………………………………………………...... 1
1. History of Campylobacter jejuni ……………………………………………….. 3
2. Morphology and Physiology …………………………………………………….. 4
3. Identification and Characterization ……………………………………………… 4
4. Host ……………………………………………………………………………... 5
5. Epidemiology ……………………………………………………………………. 7
6. Environmental Prevalence ……………………………………………............... 9
7. Treatment and Antimicrobial Resistance ………………………………………. 12
8. Factors of Pathogenicity and Virulence of Campylobacter jejuni ……………... 13
8.1 Adhesion and Invasive Factors ………………………………………………. 13
8.1.1 Flagella ………………………………………………………………….. 14
8.1.2 Cell Adherence ……………………………………………………………. 15
8.2 Lipooligosaccharide (LOS) …………………………………………………… 15
8.3 Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) ……………………………………………………. 16
8.4 Enterotoxins ……………………………………………………………………16
8.5 Cytotoxins …………………………………………………………………….. 17
9. Bacterial Secretion System …………………………………………………….. 18
9.1 Type III Secretion System ………………………………………………….... 18
9.2 Type IV Secretion System ……………………………………………………..20
9.3 Type VI Secretion System ……………………………………………………. 20
9.3.1 T6SS Gene Cluster ………………………………………………………. 22
9.3.2 T6SS Association with Virulence ……………………………………….. 22
10. Aims and Objectives …………………………………………………………… 25
Chapter 1. Isolation Frequency and Antibiotic Susceptibility Profiles of
Campylobacter jejuni Isolates from Diverse Sources in Pakistan …………………. 26
1.1 Abstract ………………………………………………………………………… 27
1.2 Introduction …………………………………………………………………….. 28
1.3 Materials and Methods …………………………………………………………. 31
xiv
1.3.1 Sample Collection ……………………………………………………… 31
1.3.2 Culturing Method for Detection of Campylobacter jejuni …………….. 31
1.3.3 Biochemical Identification ………………………………………………32
1.3.4 PCR Technique for the Detection of Campylobacter jejuni …………… 32
1.3.4.1 DNA Isolation ……………………………………………………… 32
1.3.4.2 PCR Technique and Amplification………………………………..... 33
1.3.5 Antibiotic Sensitivity Analysis ………………………………………… 34
1.3.5.1 Kirby-Bauer Disc Diffusion Assay ………………………………… 34
1.3.5.2 Nitrocefin Method ………………………………………………….. 35
1.4 Results ………………………………………………………………………….. 35
1.4.1 Confirmation of Isolates as Campylobacter jejuni ……………………...35
1.4.2 Isolation Frequency of C. jejuni in Different Sources …………………. 37
1.4.3 Antibiotic susceptibility of C. jejuni Isolates …………………………... 40
1.4.3.1 Multidrug Resistance in C. jejuni Isolates …………………………. 45
1.5 Discussion ……………………………………………………………………… 46
Chapter 2. Source Attribution and Strain Clustering of C. jejuni Isolates from
Diverse Sources ……………………………………………………………………….. 51
2.1 Abstract ………………………………………………………………………….. 52
2.2 Introduction ……………………………………………………………………… 53
2.3 Materials and Methods …………………………………………………………... 55
2.3.1 Growth of Bacterial Strains …………………………………………………. 55
2.3.2 DNA Extraction ……………………………………………………………... 55
2.3.3 Distribution of C. jejuni Isolates from Diverse Sources in Strain Clusters …..56
2.4 Results ……………………………………………………………………………..58
2.4.1 Cluster Prediction by Predictive Multiplex PCR …………………………….. 58
2.4.2 Distribution of C. jejuni Isolates in Strain Clusters and Source Attribution … 58
2.5 Discussion ………………………………………………………………………... 62
Chapter 3. Molecular Detection and Surveillance of Type Six Secretion System in
Campylobacter jeuni Isolates ……………………………………………………......... 65
3.1 Abstract …………………………………………………………………………… 66
xv
3.2 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………. 66
3.3 Materials and Methods …………………………………………………………… 68
3.3.1 Growth of Bacterial Strains and DNA Extraction ……………………………. 68
3.3.2 Screening PCR Assay for T6SS Conserved Genes ………………………….. 70
3.3.3 Preparation of RNA Template ………………………………………………... 72
3.3.4 RNA Isolation ……………………………………………………………........ 73
3.3.5 DNase Treatment of RNA Samples Prior to RT-PCR ………………………... 73
3.3.6 RT-PCR (Reverse Transcriptase PCR) for T6SS Conserved Genes …………. 74
3.3.7 Distribution of C. jejuni Isolates harboring T6SS in Strain Clusters ………… 75
3.4 Results ……………………………………………………………………………... 75
3.4.1 Indication of T6SS in C. jejuni Isolates from Diverse Sources ……………….. 75
3.4.2 Gene Expression of T6SS Conserved Genes ………………………………….. 79
3.4.3 Strain Clusters of T6SS +ve C. jejuni Isolates ………………………………… 82
3.5 Discussion ……………………………………………………………………….. 85
Conclusions ………………………………………………………………………….... 88
References …………………………………………………………………………….. 90
Appendix 1: Antibiotic Resistance Profiles of C. jejuni Isolates ………………………116
Appendix 2: Multiantibiotic Resistance Profiles of C. jejuni Isolates ………………... 126
Appendix 3: PCR Profiles of C. jejuni Isolates for Prediction of Strain Clusters ……. 132
xvi
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Pathways to Campylobacter jejuni human infection (Perko-Makela, 2011) …11
Figure 2. Schematic diagram of the T3SS apparatus (Sato and Frank, 2011) …………..19
Figure 3. Role of bacteria harboring T6SS in the mammalian intestines (Russell et al.,
2014) .…………………………………………………………………........................... 21
Figure 4. Schematic representation of the general model of T6SS assembly (Shneider et
al., 2013) ……………………………………………………………………………….. 23
Figure 5. Gene arrangement of T6SS cluster in Campylobacter jejuni 414 (Harrison et al.,
2014)……………………………………………………………………………………..24
Figure 1.1 (A) Isolates positive for 16s rRNA (B) for hipO gene……………………… 36
Figure 1.2 Isolation frequency of C. jejuni from Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar
and Gilgit. ……………………………………………………………………………….39
Figure 1.3 Mueller-Hinton plate of C. jejuni isolate showing antibiotic discs with zones
of inhibition………………………………………………………………………………41
Figure 1.4 Antibiotic susceptibility patterns of C. jejuni isolated from (A) human
diarrheal, (B) poultry, (C) cattle, (D) wastewater samples
…………………………………………………………………………..………………..42
Figure 1.5 Beta lactamase producing C. jejuni isolates from different sources …..…….43
Figure 1.6 C. jejuni isolates resistant to multiantibiotics ……………………………......45
Figure 2.1 Prediction of strain cluster groups by multiplex PCR………………...59
Figure 2.2 Dendrogram showing distribution of C. jejuni isolates from diverse sources in
strain cluster groups (C1-C9) ………………………………………………………….. 60
Figure 2.3 Distribution of C. jejuni isolates from diverse sources in strain cluster
groups………………………………………………………………………………….... 61
Figure 3.1 (A) Hcp positive C. jejuni isolates (B) strain 255 showing T6SS conserved
genes …………………………………………………………………………………… 76
xvii
Figure 3.2 Map showing location of C. jejuni samples collected from different
sources……………………………………………………………………………………78
Figure 3.3 RT-PCR analysis of hcp, vgrG and icmF expression in strain 255 ……….....80
Figure 3.4 Differential expression of T6SS conserved genes……………………………81
Figure 3.5 Multiplex PCR for prediction of strain clusters …………………………......82
Figure 3.6 Phenogram displaying clusters of T6SS possessing C. jejuni strains ……….84
xviii
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1.1 Isolation rates of Campylobacter jejuni in investigated different sources…… 38
Table 1.2 Antimicrobial resistance rates of Campylobacter jejuni isolated from different
sources………..…………………………………………………………………………. 44
Table 2.1 Primers for strain cluster attribution of C. jejuni isolates ………………........ 57
Table 3.1 Primers for screening conserved T6SS genes (hcp, vgrG, icmF using gltA as
internal control) ………………………………………………………………………… 71
Table 3.2 T6SS positive C. jejuni strains ………………………………………………. 77
Table 3.3 Strain cluster attribution by predictive PCR ………………………………… 83
Introduction
1
Introduction
Introduction
2
Introduction
Campylobacter spp, are identified as causative bacterial agent of most frequently occurring
foodborne diarrhea worldwide (Park, 2002; Silva et al., 2011). Causative agent of mostly
reported Campylobacteriosis cases is Campylobacter jejuni, a bacterium that survives in
the intestinal tract of many birds and mammals as a commensal (Humphrey and Madsen,
2007). Since the 1990’s, incidence of campylobacteriosis has been increasing gradually
and continually rising in many countries (Baker et al., 2007; WHO, 2011).
Campylobacteriosis is generally a self-limited disease with an incubation time of one to
seven days. The main symptoms are cramps in the abdomen followed by watery,
sometimes bloody diarrhoea. General symptoms such as fever, vomiting, headache and
dizziness may also occur (Moore et al., 2005; Blaser and Engberg, 2008). Other associated
clinical signs can include asthenia and anorexia (Moore et al., 2005). Symptoms include
mild as well as severe ones and may cause death in patients with weak immunity. The
bacteria are diverse in environment and have been isolated from various reservoirs of
animals, e.g., chicken, cattle, and pets (Anonymous, 2006). Campylobacter spp. is highly
prevalent in chickens; hence, contact and consumption of poultry is recognized as an
eminent risk factor for campylobacteriosis. Campylobacter spp require special conditions
for their growth and are unable to grow and reproduce in the presence of oxygen, still the
bacteria can survive on food or in the environment for many days. Furthermore, infective
dose for humans is quite low i.e. 500 cells (Robinson, 1981; Black et al., 1988).
Genus Campylobacter consists of 25 species and 8 subspecies and belongs to family
Campylobacteraceae, these have been detected in humans, cattle and birds (Man, 2011).
Campylobacter jejuni is divided into two subspecies, namely jejuni which is most common
in human cases and doylei (On, 2005). Any further reference to Campylobacter jejuni
specifically means C. jejuni subspecie. jejuni.
Infection caused by Campylobacter spp. is identified as the major cause of acute bacterial
gastroenteritis in developed as well as developing countries (Allos, 2001; Coker et al.,
2002; Moore et al, 2005). Diarrhea starts acutely following the ingestion of contaminated
food, with a mean incubation period of 3.2 days (range: 18 hrs - 8 days), which is longer
than other intestinal infections such as Salmonella spp. Diarrhea is usually self-limiting
with a median duration of 4.6 days in most healthy patients and hospitalization rates of 5-
Introduction
3
10%, but the organism can be defecated in the stool for several weeks (Blaser and Engberg,
2008).
1. History of Campylobacter jejuni
In 1886, Theodor Escherich noticed some organisms in stool samples of children with
diarrhea who died of then named disease called ‘cholera infantum’, these organisms
resembled Campylobacters (Altekruse et al., 1999). However, his work remained
unrecognized. Later in 1985, Kist revealed findings of Escherich at Third International
Campylobacter Workshop that was held in Ottawa (Butzler, 2004). In 1909, two
veterinarians, McFadyean and Stockman did research on abortion in ewes and identified
an unknown bacterium that was isolated frequently from aborted fetuses and that showed
resembelance to vibrio (McFadyean and Stockman, 1913). In 1919, Smith isolated a
bacterium from infectious abortions of bovines in USA. He described it a spirillum and
proposed its name as ‘Vibrio fetus’ (Smith, 1919). Meanwhile, winter dysentery in calves
was attributed to infection by ‘vibrio’ (Jones et al., 1931) that was called as Vibrio jejuni,
and swine dysentery was also said to be associated with similar organism (Doyle, 1944).
Later on, King (1957) blood samples of children affected with diarrhea were found to be
positive for the presence of related Vibrio. Eventually Veron and Sebald in 1963 introduced
a new genus Campylobacter to differentiate them from Vibrio.
In 1972, Campylobacter jejuni was isolated for the first time from clinical diarrheal stool
samples by a microbiologist of Belgium using the filtration technique that had been
previously used in veterinary medicine (Altekruse et al., 1999). This was not possible until
in the later 1970s, development of selective media for growth and identification of
optimum temperature and reduced oxygen requirements, that finally Campylobacter was
proposed to be a significant causative agent of bacterial gastroenteritis (Kist, 1986). Later
studies during 1970s and 1980s enhanced the knowledge and understanding of not only C.
jejuni but also other species of Campylobacter, including their environment and sources,
role in causing disease, and pathogenicity and virulence mechanisms. Due to its
requirement of unusual temperature and oxygen for growth, organism was remained
Introduction
4
unnoticed for many years as a human pathogen, meanwhile it was causing gastroenteritis
that remain undiagnosed.
2. Morphology and Physiology
Campylobacter jejuni is spiral, motile Gram negative bacterium with width ranging from
0.2 to 0.8 μm and length from 0.5 to 5 μm (Nachamkin et al., 2008). These bacteria have
polar flagellum at each end of a cell. In late stationary phase, cultures a coccoid cell form
predominates. The coccoid forms tend to be difficult to subculture and lose motility (Ng et
al., 1985). These changes may allow Campylobacters to survive in environmentally
challenging environments in “viable but non culturable” (VBNC) form (Oliver, 2005;
Rollins and Colwell, 1986). However with strain-to-strain variation conflicting evidence
exists as to the importance of coccoid forms, injured bacterial cells and the VBNC form
(Jones et al., 1991). Campylobacter spp. is characteristic fastidious pathogen requiring
stringent growth requirements. They have a rather narrow temperature range for growth
that lies between 30 °C and 45°C (Hazeleger et al., 1998; Park 2002) but temperature
optimal growth is 42°C (Park, 2002). In addition to that, they are considered capnophilic
and microaerophilic, requiring an atmosphere with carbon dioxide and containing low
oxygen concentrations. The optimal atmosphere for cultivation of C. jejuni consists of 5%-
10% O2 and 1-10% CO2 (Luechtefeld et al., 1982; Bolton and Coates 1983). They are slow-
growing organisms and require selective media containing charcoal and various antibiotics,
such as cephalothin, to suppress competing fecal microflora. Salinity also affects the
survival of Campylobacters as they cannot multiply in concentrations of 2% or greater
sodium chloride (Doyle and Roman, 1982). Furthermore, they do not thrive well on
surfaces nor are they resistant to dessication (Fernandez et al., 1985). On the contrary,
biofilms and aquatic environment favors their growth.
3. Identification and Characterization
The ability to sequence bacterial genomes has revolutionized the taxonomy,
characterization, and diagnostic tests for Campylobacters. In 2000, Parkhill et al. published
the first sequenced genome of C. jejuni that was named as NCTC 11168 (Parkhill et al.,
Introduction
5
2000). Strain variability is an important characteristic of Campylobacters. Hypervariable
regions have been identified using genomic sequencing and DNA microarray technology,
and some strains like C. jejuni 81-176 contain plasmids (Parkhill et al., 2000; Larsen and
Guerry 2005; Hofreuter et al., 2006). Strain variability may influence persistence in
environmental extremes, virulence, antimicrobial resistance patterns, ability to infect or
induction of sequelae e.g. GBS (Guillian Barre’ Syndrome) and MFS (Miller Fischer
Syndrome) in humans, and more importantly survival of Campylobacters in water, faeces,
or food (Fitzgerald et al., 2005; Park, 2005). At the same time, C. jejuni 81116 has been
found to be genetically stable for over 20 years in different environments (Manning et al.,
2001). Microbial populations consisting of both Campylobacters that are genetically stable
and those able to adapt to external environment may explain, to some extent, the continued
success of campylobacters as human and foodborne pathogens. Traditionally, selective
culture media have been used to isolate Campylobacter spp. More recently, a combination
of techniques including selective enrichment, culture isolation from selective agar, and then
biochemical, serological or genotypic methods have been used to fully describe isolates
(Nachamkin and Blaser, 2000; Yu et al., 2001; Miller et al., 2005). Different varieties of
tools of identification and typing of phenotypes and genotypes of C. jejuni are developed.
But the choice of molecular typing tool may be based on implementation costs, labor
required, access to specialized equipment or software, portability and standardization,
discriminatory ability and resolution of the technique, flexibility of experimental design,
and the time frame required for data acquisition (long-term research project compared to
outbreak investigation). The choice of available techniques, lack of consensus within the
research community and the ongoing development of molecular typing tools illustrate that
currently no one method is optimal for all circumstances.
4. Host
Animals
C. jejuni and C. coli are frequently presented in common intestinal flora of various animals
including fowl (Blaser, 1982). Most of the studies have not distinguished between the two
Campylobacter species. Both species have been isolated from intestinal contents of
Introduction
6
turkeys, chickens, ducks as well as also wild birds. It has been reported that poultry is
contaminated to a substantial extent with Campylobacter spp. Even eggs have been
reported to be contaminated with Campylobacter due to material from infected chickens
(Shane et al., 1986; Messelhausser et al., 2011). Infection from C. jejuni in humans are
mostly attributed to the livestock handling and consumption of livestock associated
products specially poultry related products (Skirrow, 1977; Skirrow et al., 1981; Harris et
al., 1986; Wilson et al., 2008; Tam et al., 2009). Moreover, C. jejuni have also been
detected from diversified non-livestock animals that include flies, wild-birds, rodents,
hares, badger, squirrels, deer, foxes, hedgehogs, bank voles and seals (Rosef et al., 1983;
Rosef et al., 1985; Petersen et al., 2001; Ronquist and Huelsenbeck, 2003; French et al.,
2009).
Humans
Campylobacter spp. are causative agent of bacterial gastroenteritis in developed as well as
developing countries (Oberhelman and Taylor, 2000). In humans, disease incubation is
approximately 1-8 days (mean 3 days) after ingestion, (Skirrow and Blaser, 2000).
Infectious dose is reported to be as low as 500 cells in contaminated food (Robinson, 1981).
Symptoms in people include fever, headache, muscle pain and vomiting, although diarrhea
(watery and often progressing to bloody) and abdominal cramping are the most common
clinical signs (Skirrow and Blaser, 1995). After the onset, clinical signs usually last
approximately a week, although prolonged illness and relapse may occur. Rarely
extraintestinal sequelae may occur including rash, hepatitis, cholecystitis, pancreatitis,
cystitis, septic abortion, reactive arthritis, hemorrhagic uremic syndrome and bacteremia.
(Walker et al., 1986; Skirrow and Blaser, 2000). People of any age may be infected,
although children under two years of age (developed and developing countries) and young
adults (developed countries) may have higher incidence rates (Blaser, 1997; Friedman et
al., 2000). Severity of clinical signs can be strain dependent and it is possible for people to
be infected by several strains at the same time (Black et al., 1988, Richardson et al., 2001).
Due to under reporting, unidentification via lab tests, treatment without determining
etiology etc. particularly from developing countries, it is difficult to completely estimate
human campylobacteriosis prevalence rates.
Introduction
7
5. Epidemiology
Campylobacter jejuni infections are termed as campylobacteriosis, or Campylobacter
jejuni gastroenteritis. Infection in industrialized countries is frequent among people of all
age groups; however children below four years of age are more vulnerable to
Campylobacter spp. (Butzler, 2004). Moreover, immunocompromised individuals such as
those infected with HIV at greater risk of catching the bacterial infection which maybe
more severe. In the developing world children become immune within the first 2 years or
so due to much greater exposure to infection; therefore so far disease is not reported in
children of older ages and elders (Skirrow, 1991).
Campylobacteriosis results in diarrhea which is frequently watery or bloody. Patients
having symptoms like abdominal pain, fever, malaise, nausea and rarely, vomiting. The
infection is reported to have an incubation time of 1–10 days while most patients showing
symptoms on 4th day (Humphrey et al., 2007). Complications associated with
campylobacteriosis are rare. On the contrary, rheumatologic disorders like arthritis and
neuropathies like Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), are linked with post Campylobacter
jejuni gastroenteritis infections (Murray et al., 2007).
C. jejuni show wide variations in their usual habitat, that include poultry, birds, livestock
animals, domestic pets, wild animals and marine vertebrates. Nevertheless only a few
Campylobacter species are able to cause human gastroenteritis. Campylobacter disease is
particularly caused by Campylobacter jejuni (responsible for 95% of infections),
Campylobacter coli (responsible for 4% of infections). C. upsaliensis or C. lari (1%) are
among the less known species that also cause the infection. C. jejuni lives as a commensal
in the gut of poultry, cattle and other wild animals, but it is pathogenic in only humans,
therefore it is speculated that the organism expresses certain factors involved in virulence
after specific interaction with the human cells.
Developing countries are highly burdened by diarrheal illness, responsible for both
morbidity (6 to 7 episodes of diarrhea each child every year as compared with 1 or 2 in
developed countries) and mortality. In developed countries, deaths due to diarrheal disease,
are quite rare and the effects of these diseases are usually measured in financial terms
(Thapar and Sanderson, 2004).
Introduction
8
Several studies have also verified a strong correlation of the disease occurrence with
seasonality. In fact, seasonality is the distinguishing characteristic of epidemiology of
Campylobacter spp. In regions with temperate climates, the incidence peaks are seen in
late spring or early summer season. The exact reason for such a variation is not known but,
it is hypothesised that related factors such as climate, poultry animals, migratory wild birds,
companion animals and flies may influence disease incidence (Humphrey et al., 2007).
Campylobacteriosis is prominently a food-borne illness which involve foods of livestock
origin, especially poultry have an important role in causing disease. Raw meat is equally
contaminated by Campylobacter spp. Most frequently carcasses of poultry, whether freshly
cut or frozen are contaminated with C. jejuni (Blaser et al., 1984). Hamburgers, clams,
sausages and raw or undercooked beef are also involved in causing outbreaks of
campylobacteriosis. Improperly cooked barbecues and similar stuff pose important hazards
for infection, as these allow easy transmission of bacteria from raw meat to other foods and
hands, and from these sources to the gut of humans. Raw, unpasteurized or improperly-
treated milk and improper treated water are also implicated as sources of infection
outbreaks (Butzler, 2004). Campylobacter spp. can either be transmitted directly or
indirectly. In the direct route, occupation usually brings humans closer to such infections.
Slaughterhouse workers, veterinarians, poultry processors, farmers and butchers are at a
greater risk of Campylobacteriosis. Human population can be infected by contact with the
infected pets, like puppy, kitten, hamster, and turtle with Campylobacter diarrhea (Skirrow,
1991). Hence, general route taken in the indirect transmission by animals is by two
potential vehicles including poultry and red meat.
Campylobacteriosis is rampant in Pakistan, along with other developing countries.
According to a study conducted in Rawalpindi, Pakistan (2002) the isolation rate of C.
jejuni from diarrheal cases was 18% which was slightly higher than the previous study
conducted in Lahore, Pakistan from 1983-1989 (Ali et al., 2003). Surveillance in
impoverished areas of Karachi also found relatively high rates of Campylobacter infection
(Soofi et al., 2010). The bacterial pathogen was found to be prevalent in the two extreme
age groups, that is, among the infants and the elderly; this pattern of the incidence rate can
be related with the immune status of the individuals (Ibrahim et al., 2004). 72.22% of
Introduction
9
patients positive for C. jejuni infection suffered from abdominal cramps, 61% had fever,
and 39% individuals exhibited a combination of symptoms including loose motions,
vomiting and pain in the abdomen (Ali et al., 2003). The study in Rawalpindi also indicated
that majority of the children infected with C. jejuni had blood, mucous and pus in their
stools. In addition to this, another study carried out in Pakistan from January 2002 to
December 2004 pointed out the high prevalence of C. jejuni in food commodities especially
in raw or undercooked chicken (Hussain et al., 2007).
6. Environmental Prevalence
Poultry and undercooked meat are some of the main factors involved in transmission.
However, it has been reported that water and soil may be contaminated with
Campylobacter spp., possibly reflecting contamination of the environment with animal
excreta. Therefore, environment also can play an important role in disease spread. C. jejuni,
C. coli, and C. laridis were most prevalent campylobacters detected from the environment
(Bolton et al., 1987; Carter et al., 1987). Furthermore, C. jejuni can be found in sources of
natural water (Kemp et al., 2005) and soil (Jensen et al., 2006). Studies show that these
organisms can survive in feces, or those in water, soil, or milk, may survive for several
weeks when ambient temperatures are low (Blaser, 1982; Rollins and Colwell, 1986).
Moreover, C. jejuni may be found in diverse ecological niches and are able to survive and
replicate in harsh conditions of environment (Moen et al., 2005; Murphy et al., 2005).
Water is a likely major reservoir of campylobacters and is a proven medium for the
transmission of these organisms to humans and livestock. Water-related outbreaks of
campylobacteriosis have been reported from various regions of the world (Bolton et al.,
1987). Campylobacters were detected in 21 % or 43% of samples depending on isolation
method, from a river crossing rural and urban areas of England. The bacterial load was
highest in water adjacent to sewage works. Highest isolation rates were observed in autumn
and winter and lowest in spring and summer. However, Campylobacter number did not
demonstrate any significant correlation with microbiological (plate counts of fecal and total
coliforms, fecal streptococci, and heterotrophic bacteria) or physical (water temperature,
pH, and conductivity) parameters (Carter et al., 1987).
Introduction
10
Viable nonculturable form is an important factor when considering isolation and culturing
of C. jejuni from environmental sources, as the viability of culture decline after exposure
of bacteria to environmental stresses. It was described by Rollins and Colwell (1986) that
microcosms with aerated shaking, showed logarithmic reduction in revivable C. jejuni,
otherwise stationary cultures underwent an average rate of reduction to the nonculturable
state. Nonculturable state of Campylobacter spp. bears serious important epidemiological
consequences.
Introduction
11
Figure 1. Pathways of Campylobacter jejuni to human infection (Perko-Makela, 2011).
(a) Poultry is considered to be the main environmental reservoir of C. jejuni. The bacterium
efficiently colonizes chicken gastrointestinal tract, reaching high numbers and is spread via
the oral-fecal route in chicken flocks. (b) When C. jejuni enters a water supply, it can use
protozoans as vectors or more likely form biofilms that aid in its survival especially for
longer time periods. Humans can get infected through consumption of contaminated
products such as (c) poultry meat or (d) unpasteurized milk. In addition, infection can be
transmitted through the (e) environment via pets and wild animals or (f) travelling. Once
C. jejuni reaches the human gastrointestinal tract, it invades the epithelial layer and causes
inflammation and diarrhea.
Introduction
12
7. Treatment and Antimicrobial Resistance
Campylobacter infections particularly are the source of self-limited gastrointestinal
disease. Hence the principal therapy is to avoid dehydration. Antibiotic therapy is required
only in the acute and lasting infections. Additionally, some groups of infected people,
including young children, elderly patients, pregnant women and immunocompromised
patients should also be given treatment with antibiotics (Allos, 2001; Pacanowski et al.,
2008). In spite of the suggestions for the start of antibiotic therapy in previously healthy
individuals with chronic infections only; early clinical studies show that the best treatment
strategy involves antimicrobial therapy that is administered as soon as symptoms appear
(Anders et al., 1982). Fluoroquinolones including ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin, are
recommended for the treatment of acute gastroenteritis patients. In spite of the source of
the acquired infection, macrolides for example azithromycin are suggested for the therapy
of Campylobacter induced gastroenteritis in regions of the world where there is prevailing
fluoroquinolone resistance (Hakanen et al., 2003; Hill et al., 2006). Other antimicrobials
which are recommended for the treatment include tetracycline and amoxicillin (Moore et
al., 2005). In cases of severe infection the preferred antibiotic is carbapenem (Kerstens et
al., 1992; Lau et al., 2002; Fernandez-Cruz et al., 2010).
Campylobacters are inherently sensitive to various antibiotic agents comprising
fluoroquinolones, macrolides, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, clindamycin and
nitrofurans. While campylobacters are reported to be moderately susceptibile to
cefotaxime, ceftazidime, cefpirome and chloramphenicol. C. jejuni and C. coli are reported
to be inherently resistant to most of the cephalosporins, penicillins and rifampicin,
sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim and vancomycin. (Walder 1979; Vanhoof et al., 1982;
Fliegelman et al., 1985; McNulty 1987; Fitzgerald et al., 2008). Campylobacter spp. have
shown resistance to a high number of beta lactam antibiotic agents. However, the
susceptibility of others, for example ampicillin and some of the expanded-spectrum
cephalosporin antibiotics, have shown variations and are not apparently explained
(Wieczorek and Osek, 2013).
Introduction
13
8. Factors of Pathogenicity and Virulence of Campylobacter jejuni
For Campylobacter jejuni to establish a successful infection inside the host the presence of
certain virulence factors is crucial. Moreover, these virulence factors are essential for the
survival of the pathogen during the course of infection. Disease severity has also been
proven to be linked with the existence of certain virulence genes in C. jejuni (González-
Hein et al., 2013). These virulence factors such as adhesion and invasion factors, flagella
and cell adherence, lipooligosaccharide, lipopolysaccharide, enterotoxins, cytotoxins and
secretion systems are briefly discussed below.
8.1 Adhesion and Invasion Factors
Although C. jejuni lacks fimbriae, it may possess other adhesion factors. Bacterial adhesion
has been demonstrated by using cell lines such as HEp-2, HeLa and INT 407 cells
(McSweegan and Walker, 1986; McSweegan et al., 1987). The adhesion is disrupted by L-
fucose, asparagus pea lectin (which recognizes L-fucose determinants on cells), or partially
inhibited by other carbohydrates such as galactose, glucose, mannose, N-
acetylgalactosamine, N-acetylglucosamine, and non-sugar carbohydrate sorbitol, etc.
Adherence can also be inhibited partially by treating the bacterial cells with proteases or
glutaraldehyde (McSweegan and Walker, 1986).
The surface structure, such as outer membrane protein, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and
glycocalyx materials, may be important components of adhesins (Walker et al., 1986). LPS
bound particularly to epithelial cells, and this occurrence was restricted by periodate
oxidation of LPS or fixation of the epithelial cells by glutaraldehyde. Besides, unlike
flagella, LPS was found to be sensitive to fucose and inhibits attachment of full bacterial
cells to the INT 407 cells. LPS has also got the ability of binding to intestinal mucus
(McSweegan and Walker, 1986). LPS of Campylobacter spp. are immunologically related
to members of Enterobacteriaceae, Vibrio cholerae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and.
This is due to the fact that antisera to the Campylobacter strains recognize core
determinants of some LPS preparations from these bacteria (Perez-Perez et al., 1986).
Introduction
14
8.1.1 Flagella
Most Campylobacter species have amphitrichous (bipolar) flagella to promote infection, a
unique flagellar pattern amongst bacteria with polar flagella. Flagellar movement of C.
jejuni is a major factor for colonization and virulence factor which is considered to be
needed for causing human infection resulting in diarrheal illness and in many host animals
it assists in commensalism (Black et al., 1988; Nachamkin et al., 1993; Hendrixon and
DiRita, 2004). The components of flagellum of C. jejuni are basal body, hook and filament.
Two proteins i.e. FlaA and FlaB constitute flagellar filament (Konkel et al., 2004).
Presence of certain adhesins for epithelial cells has been reported in flagellum of C. jejuni,
since non-flagellated variant adhered poorly to cells. However, non-flagellated organisms
still attach to host cells to some extent, suggesting the possibility of involvement of
multiple adhesins (Walker et al., 1986). Bacterial adhesion is reduced by the shearing of
bacterial cells for the removal of flagella, whereas adhesion is increased by immobilization
with Potassium Cyanide (KCN) of the flagellum. Purified flagella have been shown to
specifically, fucose-resistant binding to the epithelial cells but not in the case of intestinal
mucus (McSweegan and Walker, 1986). Some adhesions are stable after heating at 100oC
for 30 min.
Flagellum has been proposed to be crucially involved in adhesion to the epithelial cells. C.
jejuni flagellin acts as an adhesin and helps in the binding to the epithelial cells and
colonization of the intestinal tract. Typing studies based on FlaA gene have been widely
performed for the identification of C. jejuni and C. coli strains isolated from environment
(Bhavsar and Kapadnis, 2007). Champion and coworkers demonstrated that a non-
livestock clade comprised of 55.7% C. jejuni isolates from clinical cases that showed
absence of the flagellin O-glycosylation locus encoding cj1321-cj1326 genes. Moreover,
such cj1321-cj1326-deficient strains tracked to be mostly from the environment and
asymptomatic carriers (Champion et al., 2005). Hence, flagellin O-glycosylation may be
involved in the cell invasion, and hence increases virulence potential (Zautner et al., 2012).
Introduction
15
8.1.2 Cell Adherence
An outer membrane protein that serves the role of an adhesin is known as CadF which
binds with fibronectin present in the extracellular matrix of mammalian cells, thereby
helping C. jejuni in attachment to intestinal epithelial cells (Konkel et al., 1999).
Capsule of C. jejuni serves as an adherence factor. Heptose residues found in some cell
surface-located glycoconjugates are found to be required for adhesion hence heptose
residues in the capsule are significant virulence factors (Karlyshev et al., 2005).
jlpA, is a surface-exposed species-specific lipoprotein A which also serves as an adhesion
factor that promotes adhesion to the epithelial cells (Scott et al., 2009). porA of C. jejuni
is a major outer membrane protein. It is putative porin and a surface protein with various
functions, also plays significant role in adhesion (Zhang et al., 2000). An
aspartate/glutamate-binding protein, Peb1 of an ABC transporter in C. jejuni enhances
bacterial adhesion and invasion of host cells, therefore serves as a cell-binding factor
(Leon-Kempis et al., 2006). Adhesin, fibronectin-like protein A (FlpA), has been lately
identified that is important for complete binding ability and colonization to the chicken
epithelial cells (Flanagan et al., 2009).
8.2 Lipooligosaccharide (LOS)
The cell wall of C. jejuni, being a Gram-negative bacterium, has three layers, an outer layer
of lipoprotein, a middle layer of lippolysaccharide (LPS) and an inner layer of
mucopeptide (Bhavsar and Kapadnis, 2007). Lipooligosaccharide (LOS) is homologous
to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) found in some Gram-negative bacteria. LOS have similar
structures of lipid A as well as similar functional activities like LPS. LOS is marked by the
absence of O-antigen units as LOS oligosaccharide structures have upto 10 saccharide
units. One unique feature of LOS is the striking similarity, in structure and antigenic
properties, with the human glycolipids (Preston et al., 1996). It was indicated that a
sialylated lipooligosaccharide (LOS) of the cell wall of Campylobacter spp. is linked to
intensified development of bloody diarrhea and prolonged symptoms (Zautner et al., 2012).
An important role in the pathogenesis of GBS is played by the molecular mimicry between
Introduction
16
lipooligosaccharides (LOS) in the cell wall of C. jejuni and gangliosides in the peripheral
nerves (Godschalk et al., 2004). Van Belkum et al. (2001) showed that a sialyltransferase
encoded by the cst-II gene in C. jejuni is linked with a higher risk of developing GBS, and
it had been confirmed by later studies (Nachamkin et al., 2002; Koga et al., 2006).
8.3 Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a large component of the surface of outer membrane of gram-
negative bacteria. LPS consists of three distinct sections; 1) lipid A moiety attached to the
outer membrane, the endotoxic part of LPS; 2) core is the second part, binded to the lipid
and 3) last part is the O antigen, connected to the outer core. LPS molecule
of Campylobacter spp. is involved in the adhesion process and play an important role in
antigenic differentiations, as Campylobacter spp. has the potential to rearrange the LPS
antigenic constitution. Surprisingly core oligosaccharide is marked by the presence of N-
acetyl neuraminic acid (sialic acid), which is not commonly found in the prokaryotes.
These sialic acid residues when attached to the D- galactosidase appear structurally like
gangliosides. This molecular mimicry is implicated in autoimmune neuropathological
diseases like Miller-Fisher Syndrome and Guillains Barre' Syndrome which consequently
may result in the death of patient. The galE gene is associated with the synthesis of LPS
and thereby contributes to bacterial virulence (Fry et al., 2000).
8.4 Enterotoxins
Enterotoxins are known to be produced by diarrheal bacterial pathogens like Vibrio
cholera, Escherichia coli, Shigella dysentriae. The question of whether C. jejuni produces
enterotoxin has been controversial. Cytotonic efficacy of Campylobacter cultures have
been demonstrated in CHO and Vero cells, GM1 ELISA, and accumulation of cyclic AMP
in the cells on exposure to filtrates of bacterial culture. Limited neutralization of
enterotoxin of C. jejuni has been demonstrated by treatment with antitoxins to cholera toxin
and heat-labile enterotoxin of E. coli (Honda et al., 1986; Johnson and Lior, 1986;
Lindblom et al., 1989). According to a study, 32% Campylobacter strains from both
humans with symptoms of acute enteritis and healthy laying hens were enterotoxigenic and
Introduction
17
there was no significant correlation between enterotoxin production and the presence of
heat-stable and heat-labile antigens (Lindblom et al., 1989).
C. jejuni produces enterotoxins which is related to the heat-labile enterotoxins of E. coli.
The B subunits of C. jejuni enterotoxin is active and its immunological characteristics and
show resemblance to B subunits of cholera toxin and heat-labile toxin (LT) of E. coli. It
exhibits partial homology to the B subunits of cholera toxin and LT in the gel
immunodiffusion assay and appears to be more proximally immunologically related to the
B subunit of LT than to the B subunit of cholera toxin. Studies have shown that rat
immunization with B subunit of LT show significant protection against challenge with
either semipurified toxin of C. jejuni or viable enterotoxigenic C. jejuni strain. The B
subunit of C. jejuni toxin reacts with the GM1 ganglioside in ELISA, but lacks the
cytotonic effect of holotoxin in CHO tissue culture and failed in the triggering fluid
secretion in the rat ileal ligated loops (Klipstein and Engert, 1984).
The enterotoxin of C. jejuni may have cytotoxic effect as well and cytotoxicity was
detected in 48% of human isolates as assayed by the cytopathic effect on HeLa cells. The
cytotoxin producing C. jejuni strains developed bacteremia and diarrhea associated with
severe watery mucus in the removed intestinal tie adult rabbit diarrhea assay (Pang et al.,
1987). Some studies have demonstrated the production of enterotoxin from C. jejuni strains
(Florin and Antillon, 1992) and some failed to demonstrate enterotoxin production (Perez-
Perez et al., 1989; McFarland and Neill, 1992). Although much work was carried out to
isolate and characterize the enterotoxic protein(s) and to correlate its activity with
pathogenicity, a number of investigators questioned the expression of a CT/LT-like
enterotoxin by C. jejuni and C. coli (Wassenaar, 1997).
8.5 Cytotoxins
In order to induce enterocolitis C. jejuni needs invasion of the epithelial cells and produce
a toxin called cytolethal distending toxin (CDT). Three subunits constitute CDT: CdtB,
catalytic subunit, which is encoded by the cdtB gene, and exhibits DNase I-like activity,
while CdtA and CdtC serve as binding proteins for the transport of CdtB into the target
cells. Both CdtA and CdtC bind with specificity to the surface of HeLa cells, whereas CdtB
do not bind specifically (Lee et al., 2003). Genotoxic effects on the host DNA are induced
Introduction
18
by the translocation of the CdtB to nucleus, which causes a rapid and apparently
irreversible block in G2 phase of cell cycle and eventual cell death (Whitehouse et al.,
1998). C. jejuni has ability to extensively replicate in human monocytic cell vacuoles and
induction of apoptotic cell death by cytolethal distending toxin (Hickey et al., 2005). In
addition it has also recently been suggested that CDT may play an important role in
adhesion and invasion potential of C. jejuni (González-Hein et al., 2013).
9. Bacterial Secretion System
Protein synthesis and transport across various cell membranes are very crucial for the
survival of all types of cells and this process in prokaryotes is referred to as protein
secretion (Coulthurst, 2013). Gram negative bacteria have established at least six different
protein secretory systems for translocation of the proteins into the periplasm or outside of
the cell (Bleumink-Pluym et al., 2013). A particular bacterium will have one or more forms
of one or more types of system, subjecting to its niche and condition. Up till now there are
reports of T3SS, T4SS and more recently T6SS in C. jejuni.
9.1 Type III Secretion System
C. jejuni is marked by the absence of a specialized T3SS and flagellar apparatus is the only
T3SS in this pathogen (Parkhill et al., 2000) which is required for the secretion of proteins
involved in infection process which are known as Campylobacter invasion antigens (Cia).
Acute infection requires Cia protein-mediated maximum invasion of the host
gastrointestinal epithelial cells by C. jejuni (Konkel and Cieplak, 1992; Konkel et al.,
2004). A schematic representation of T3SS is shown in Figure 2 (Sato and Frank, 2011).
Introduction
19
Figure 2. Schematic diagram of the T3SS apparatus (Sato and Frank, 2011)
Introduction
20
9.2 Type IV Secretion System
C. jejuni contains pVir, a 37-kb plasmid possessing 54 predicted ORFs, which contain
genes for the homologs of Com and Vir proteins of type IV secretion system. It is
implicated in the microtubule (MT)-dependent invasion pathway of C. jejuni (Bacon et al.,
2000; Kienesberger et al., 2011).
9.3 Type VI Secretion System
Type VI secretion system (T6SS), which has been most recently identified in Gram
negative bacteria, aids in the survival of the pathogen in many different ways, that is, it
plays a role in pathogenicity, symbiotic relationship, confers selective advantage over other
competing microbes, and protects from environmental stress (Lertpiriyapong et al., 2012).
As a result of this, T6SS positive bacteria are able to occupy a wider range of habitat. The
T6SS has also been involved in adaptation to low temperature and high osmolarity, stress
and quorum sensing, motility and bacterial growth, biofilm formation (Aubert et al., 2008),
and killing of competetive bacteria and protozoa via secretion of the effector toxic proteins
(Russell et al., 2011; Zheng et al., 2011). Depiction of T6SS in the intestine during
infection is shown in Figure 3 (Russell et al., 2014).
Introduction
21
Figure 3. Role of bacteria harboring T6SS in the mammalian intestines (Russell et
al., 2014). T6SS might be utilized by the invading pathogens (left, intestinal close-up) or
blocking the invading pathogens by commensals (right, intestinal close-up,).
Introduction
22
9.3.1 T6SS Gene Cluster
T6SS is a nanomachine consisting of at least thirteen constituents developing injectisomes
that resemble structurally to an inverted Escherichia coli bacteriophage T4 (Boyer et al.,
2009). These core components have been given name of TssA-TssM, however other names
such as Hcp, are used commonly. Schematic depiction of the general model of T6SS
assembly as shown in Figure 4 (Shneider et al., 2013). Gene clusters of T6SS are simply
recognizable on the rationale that all of them have 13 conserved genes, which are thought
to encode the proteins constituting the key secretion machinery (Coulthurst, 2013). The 13
core components i.e. TssA-TssM form a large molecular apparatus stretching from
cytoplasm of bacteria, through the inner membrane, periplasm and outer membrane and
subsequently into the target cell. Arrangement of the T6SS genes in Campylobacter jejuni
strain 414 (Accession number: ADGM01000000) is shown in Figure 5 (Harrison et al.,
2014). A considerable increase in the number of identified T6SS effector proteins has been
led by the latest studies and a more comprehensive and subtle perspective of the adaptive
significance of this system (Basler et al., 2013; Decoin et al., 2014; Russell et al., 2014;
Whitney et al., 2014).
9.3.2 T6SS Association with Virulence
Recently the presence of T6SS has been reported in C. jejuni (Lertpiriyapong et al., 2012)
and has proved to be associated with survival capacity in the bile salts along with cell
adherence, virulence, cytotoxicity of red blood cells and colonization of mouse
(Lertpiriyapong et al., 2012; Bleumink-Pluym et al., 2013). C. jejuni 108 strain (Accession
number: JX436460) harbors a 17-kb gene cluster of T6SS comprising of 13 T6SS
conserved genes, adding the hallmark genes hcp and vgrG of T6SS (Bleumink-Pluym et
al., 2013). Additionally, C. jejuni 414 strain (Accession number: ADGM01000000) and C.
jejuni ATCC 33560 strain (Accession number: NZ_AIOL00000000) have also been found
to be positive for the presence of T6SS. The presence of such a system in these bacteria
has resulted in the formation of hypervirulent strains which are also referred as the T6SS
positive strains (Harrison et al., 2014).
Introduction
23
Figure 4. Schematic representation of the general model of T6SS assembly (Shneider
et al., 2013)
Introduction
24
Figure 5. Gene arrangement of T6SS cluster in Campylobacter jejuni 414 (Harrison et
al., 2014). Genes are plotted as arrows in order of their genomic positions. Arrow
orientation specifies the strand; forward arrows specifying genes on the positive strand and
reverse arrows specifying genes on the negative strand.
Introduction
25
10. Aims and Objectives
Fewer studies have been reported on Campylobacter jejuni from Pakistan and more
importantly on group clustering and presence of T6SS in C. jejuni worldwide. Therefore,
aim was to determine isolation frequency of C. jejuni strains from human diarrheal, cattle,
poultry and waste-water sources, isolated from main cities of Pakistan i.e. Lahore, Karachi,
Islamabad, Peshawar and Gilgit; their antibiotic resistance profiling; strain grouping and
screening of novel virulence factor T6SS among this C. jejuni isolates collection.
The study would be helpful for determining the potential reservoir sources of C. jejuni,
their antibiotic resistance, their association with T6SS and ultimately its role in public
health.
Chapter 1
26
Chapter 1
Chapter 1
27
Chapter 1
Isolation Frequency and Antibiotic Susceptibility Profiles of
Campylobacter jejuni Isolates from Diverse Sources in Pakistan
1.1 Abstract
Campylobacter jejuni is the main causative agent of campylobacteriosis in humans. It can
be isolated from poultry (its major source), cattle and waste water. The goal of this
investigation was to assess the frequency of contamination by C. jejuni and to
characterize the antibiotic resistance of C. jejuni strains isolated from human diarrheal
specimens, poultry (chicken), cattle and wastewater sources in Pakistan. The samples
were collected from five different cities i.e. Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and
Gilgit. Overall 250 clinical diarrheal samples, 340 poultry samples, 570 cattle samples
and 145 wastewater samples were collected, then analyzed according to growth on
selective media for Campylobacter spp., biochemical confirmation and PCR confirmation
of 16S RNA and hipO genes of C. jejuni. Susceptibility to antibiotics was determined
according to the guidelines of the CLSI 2010 by disc diffusion method. Beta lactamase
activity was determined by Nitrocefin method. C. jejuni strains were isolated from 13.6
% clinical diarrheal samples, 46.47 % poultry samples, 21.40 % cattle samples, and 22.06
% wastewater samples. In clinical isolates, highest rates of resistance were noticed for
nalidixic acid (98 %), ceftriaxone (87 %) and erythromycin (78 %). In poultry isolates,
100 % resistance rates were noticed for nalidixic acid, ceftriaxone and erythromycin. In
cattle isolates, highest antibiotic resistance rates were noted for ceftriaxone (75 %),
nalidixic acid (70 %) and erythromycin (65 %). In wastewater isolates, 100 % resistance
rates were noticed for nalidixic acid, ceftriaxone and sulphmethoxazole+trimethopterim.
Most sensitive antibiotics were found to be chloramphenicol and spectinomycin. Beta
lactamase activity was detected in 35 % clinical isolates, 57 % poultry isolates, 39 %
cattle isolates and 32 % wastewater isolates. Our results showed a high isolation
frequency of C. jejuni with multidrug resistance profiles in clinical diarrheal, poultry,
cattle and wastewater sources of Pakistan. The results stress that the risk of human
contamination throughout the food chain is very high, which may generate (1) a danger
of food poisoning by ingestion of contaminated chicken and cattle meat and meat
Chapter 1
28
products and exposure to wastewater sources and (2) cross resistance to antibiotics
between humans and poultry or cattle or wastewater strains.
1.2 Introduction
The studied occurrence of Campylobacter infections has greatly heightened in the
developed world within the period of last 20 years (WHO, 2009). Under-reporting of
Campylobacter infections is a problem in various countries and the occurrence rates only
indicate the number of cases that have been confirmed by laboratory. The actual rate of
infection is believed to be higher than the number of cases reported (from 7.6 to 100
times higher) (Mead et al., 1999; Samuel et al., 2004). Cases are reported to be caused by
Campylobacter jejuni and to a lower degree by Campylobacter coli (Anon, 2006).
Majority of Campylobacter infections are categorized as sporadic infections. The true of
load of human Campylobacter infection is not investigated for majority of the developing
countries, as the national surveillance is restricted in these countries. Although, it is
predicted that the rate of Campylobacter infections is highest among children below age
of 5 years (Coker et al., 2002), which cause marked morbidity and a lower mortality rate.
Campylobacter jejuni is now the major cause of zoonotic enteric infections in many
developed and developing countries (WHO, 2000). Most human Campylobacter cases are
categorized as single sporadic cases or as a part of minor outbreaks. Laboratory based
surveillance studies have given estimates for the incidence in developing world i.e. from
5 to 20% for the general population (Coker et al., 2002). Case control community based
studies have yielded estimates of 40,000 - 60,000 /100,000 population of children under
age of 5 years of age, thus establishing campylobacteriosis a pediatric disease in the
developing world (Coker et al., 2002). Incidence is much higher in the developing
nations due to poor water and sanitary conditions and mishandling of food. In developed
world, Campylobacter infections are predominantly sporadic and noticed during the
warm months of the summer and in autumn, and propose a seasonal variation. In
developing countries, knowledge is sparse on the seasonal pattern of campylobacteriosis.
There is insufficient population based information about the frequency of Campylobacter
infections in Pakistan. Campylobacteriosis is rampant in Pakistan, along with other
developing countries. According to a study conducted in Rawalpindi, Pakistan (2003) the
Chapter 1
29
isolation rate of C. jejuni was 18% which was slightly higher than the previous study
conducted in Lahore, Pakistan from 1983-1989 (Ali et al., 2003). 72.22% of patients
positive for C. jejuni infection suffered from abdominal cramps, 61% had fever, and 39%
individuals showed a mixture of symptoms of vomiting, loose motions and abdominal
pain (Ali et al., 2003). The study in Rawalpindi also indicated that majority of the
children with C. jejuni had blood, mucous and pus in their stools. The bacterial pathogen
was found to be prevalent in the two extreme age groups, that is, among the infants and
the elderly; this pattern of the incidence rate can be related with the immune status of the
individuals (Ibrahim et al., 2004). Surveillance in impoverished areas of Karachi also
found prevalence rate of Campylobacter infection i.e. 29/1000 year in children under 5
years (Soofi et al., 2011). In addition to this, another study carried out in Pakistan from
January 2002 to December 2004 pointed out the high incidence of C. jejuni in food
commodities especially in raw or undercooked chicken (Hussain et al., 2006).
C. jejuni is primarily linked with the poultry (Anon, 2006), but it has also been isolated
from sheep, cattle, goats, cats and dogs (Anon, 1999; Anon, 2006). The chief reservoir of
pathogenic Campylobacter spp. is the gastrointestinal tract of wild and livestock animals
and birds. Campylobacter jejuni is frequently found in broilers, sheep, cattle, pigs, wild
animals, birds and dogs (Anon, 2006). Water plays an important role in the ecology of
Campylobacter jejuni. Campylobacter jejuni has been detected in rivers, lakes and
surface water, at incidence rate of approximately 50% (Kapperud et al., 2003).
Campylobacter jejuni is injected into water bodies by faeces and sewage from
nonlivestock mammals and birds.
Resistance to antimicrobials may increase the public health burden of
campylobacteriosis. Since, Campylobacter jejuni can be transferred from food animals to
human beings, there are increased chances of antibiotic resistant organism in normal
community. The commonly used antimicrobials against Campylobacter infection include
fluoroquinolones, macrolides and tetracycline. Patients with Campylobacter jejuni
isolates resistant to quinolones have been shown to have a longer duration of diarrhea
(Engberg et al., 2004; Nelson et al., 2004) and quinolone resistant Campylobacter
infections have been associated with high frequency of hospitalization and an increased
risk of adverse health events and death (Helms et al., 2005; Nelson et al., 2007). As
Chapter 1
30
chicken is the likely source of campylobacteriosis for humans, it is plausible that isolates
resistant to antimicrobials originating in poultry could pass through the food chain to
humans (Endtz et al., 1991; Aarestrup et al., 1999; Saenz et al., 2000). Both agricultural
and human antimicrobial use may be risk factors for human infection with resistant
strains. Prevalence rates of antibiotic resistance in Campylobacter species have
augmented over the past fifteen years around the globe, particularly to fluoroquinolones,
which are important for the therapy of campylobacteriosis (Endtz et al., 1991; Engberg et
al., 2001; Moore et al., 2006; Smith and Fratamico, 2010). There are significant
evidences in the last ten years of macrolide resistance among Campylobacter isolates
from poultry, human and environment (Gibreel and Taylor, 2006). Other than
flouroquinolones and macrolides, commonly used antibiotics such as tertracycline,
aminoglycoside, chloramphenicol and beta-lactam antibiotics also become useless for the
treatment of this organism, which has made the organism MDR (Lehtopolku et al., 2010;
Pollett et al., 2012). Resistance to ampicillin and other β-lactam agents has been widely
reported among Campylobacter spp. particularly isolated from poultry and humans. β-
Lactamase-producing C. jejuni isolated from humans have been shown to be
significantly less susceptible to ampicillin, amoxicillin (amoxicillin), and ticarcillin than
β-lactamase-negative strains. Other workers have shown that β-lactamase production
in C. jejuni is associated with resistance to ampicillin and amoxicillin (Griggs et al.,
2009). In general, the majority of thermotolerant Campylobacter spp. are resistant to a
large number of β -lactam antimicrobial agents. However, the behaviors of others, such as
ampicillin and some of the expanded-spectrum cephalosporins, are variable and not very
clearly defined (Tajada et al., 1996). Antibiotic susceptibility patterns and beta-lactamase
production of campylobacters vary from one country to another.
In Pakistan, use of antibiotics particularly quinolones in agriculture and livestock sectors
is common which not only results in high resistance rate in poultry but also in human
isolates. An 11 year study from Pakistan reported gradual increase in resistance rates
against ampicillin, ofloxacin and tetracycline in human Campylobacter isolates (Ibrahim
et al., 2004). To circumvent the increased rate of antibiotic resistance, it is important to
limit and control the factors involved in the transmission of organism as well as
prevention of unnecessary use of antimicrobials in clinical and veterinary fields.
Chapter 1
31
This chapter reports the results of the frequency of isolation of C. jejuni in different
sources from Pakistan. Additionally antibiotic resistance patterns were determined among
C. jejuni isolated from diverse sources.
The goals were 1) to determine isolation frequency of C. jejuni strains from human
diarrheal, cattle, poultry and waste-water sources, isolated from main cities of Pakistan
including Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Peshawar and Gilgit 2) to determine the trends in
antibiotic resistances and beta-lactams among diverse C. jejuni isolates.
1.3 Materials and Methods
1.3.1 Sample Collection
This study was carried out from October 2010 to October 2013. The samples were
randomly collected from poultry farms and chicken retail shops, cattle farms, wastewater
sources and human clinical diarrheal cases from Islamabad, Peshawar, Lahore and
Karachi. A total of 1325 samples collected consisting of 340 poultry fecal samples, 570
cattle fecal samples, 145 wastewater samples and 250 human diarrheal fecal samples.
Human fecal samples were collected from suspected cases of gastroenteritis that included
both bloody and non-bloody diarrhea cases. The study was approved by Ethical Review
Committee of COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad. Fecal samples
were collected in sterile cotton swabs carrying Carry-Blair medium and delivered to
Microbiology Laboratory of COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad.
All samples were stored at 4ºC till being analyzed in no more than 24 hrs of collection.
1.3.2 Culturing Method for Detection of Campylobacter jejuni
The fecal samples collected were streaked on modified charcoal cefoperazone
deoxycholate agar (mCCDA) (Oxoid, CM0739) containing CCDA selective supplement
(Oxoid, SR0155). Samples were incubated in 2.5 liters airtight jar along with campygen
sachets (Oxoid, CN025A) to generate microaerophilic condition at 42 °C for 48-72 hours.
Suspected watery, translucent Campylobacter spp. colonies were further sub cultured on
muller hinton agar (Oxoid, CM0337) accompanied by addition of 5% sheep blood
Chapter 1
32
(Aydon et al., 2001). Strains were stored at -80ºC in brain heart infusion broth (Oxoid,
CM11035) including 20% glycerol.
1.3.3 Biochemical Identification
Positive growth of Campylobacter jejuni isolates was further subjected to standard
biochemical tests consisting of oxidase, catalase, indoxyl acetate and hippurate
hydrolysis. In the case of Indoxyl-acetate test, change of colour from colourless to blue
green indicated that Campylobacter spp. is present and in case of hippurate hydrolysis,
development of blue/purple colour in hippurate solution indicated positive reaction for
presence of Campylobacter jejuni with the production of hippuricase enzyme and clear or
grey coloration indicate negative reaction for its presence. A positive test for all the four
reactions is indicative of C. jejuni (Chaban et al., 2010).
1.3.4 PCR Technique for the Detection of Campylobacter jejuni
1.3.4.1 DNA Isolation
DNA was extracted using phenol-chloroform method. The steps of DNA extraction are
described below.
Colonies from fresh C. jejuni growth were picked with sterile cotton swab and dissolved
in 1 mL PBS in 1.5 mL eppendorf tube and centrifuged for 2 minutes at 4659 x g.
Supernatant was removed, 400 µL of NaCl+Tris+EDTA (STE) added, pipetted for proper
mixing and centrifuged again at 4659 x g for 2 minutes. This step of addition of STE to
supernatant and centrifugation was repeated twice. The supernatant was removed, 200 µL
of TE added, vortexed and 100 µL of Tris saturated phenol added vortexed for 1 min to
mix properly. The reaction mixture was centrifuged at 12,300 x g for 5 minutes and 100
µL of chloroform was added. Centrifugation was performed at 12,300 x g for 5 minutes
at 4 ºC. Upper phase was carefully aspirated with pipette, without disturbing the lower
phase. 50 µL TE+ 100 µL chloroform was added and centrifuged at 12,300 x g for 5
minutes. Step of washing of the upper phase with TE and choloroform was performed
thrice. Upper phase was transferred to sterile eppendorff tube. Purified gDNA was stored
at -20 ºC.
Chapter 1
33
1.3.4.2 PCR Technique and Amplification
Campylobacter jejuni was detected in the samples based on the amplification of 16S
rRNA gene and hippurate hydrolysis gene utilizing two different sets of oligonucleotide
primers (Cardarelli et al., 1996)
The set of primers used for detection of 16S rRNA gene:
MDS-F 5`-ATCTAATGGCTTAACCATTAAC-3`
MDS-R 5`-GGACGGTAACTAGTTTAGTATT-3`
The set of primer used for detection of hippurate hydrolysis gene (Persson et al., 2005)
are:
hipO –F 5`-GACTTCGTGCAGATATGGATGCTT-3`
hipO -R 5`-GCTATAACTATCCGAAGAAGCCATCA-3`
All primers were manufactured by Alpha DNA (Montreal, Quebec). The PCR conditions
were followed as described by Cardarelli et al., 1996 and Persson et al., 2005). Briefly,
the PCR amplification reaction was performed in 25 μL reaction volumes comprising 5
μL of the DNA, 4 μL PCR buffer (Fermentas, Lithuania, UAB), 0.5 μL of dNTPs mix
(200 µM of each of dNTPs) (Fermentas, Lithuania, UAB), 3 μL (2.5mM) of MgCl2
(Invitrogen), 2.5 μL (50 pmol/µL) of each primer, 0.25 U of Taq DNA polymerase
(Fermentas, Lithuania, UAB), rest of the volume was made with nuclease free water. The
PCR was carried out in a MJ MiniTM Thermocycler (Bio-Rad, PTC-200; MJ Research
Inc., Watertown, MA, USA). Conditions of amplification were initial denaturation of
94ºC for 5 min, proceeded by 30 cycles of denaturation at 94ºC for 1 min, annealing at
(55ºC for 16S rRNA); (59 ºC for hipO) for 45 sec, and elongation step at 72ºC for 1 min,
followed by final extension at 72ºC for 10 mins. Strain Campylobacter jejuni 11168 was
employed as a positive control in the PCR assays and nuclease free water was utilized as
a no template control. PCR products along with the positive and negative controls were
resolved by loading onto 1.5% agarose gel containing 0.05 % ethidium bromide. Agarose
gels were given a run at 100V for 40 mins. 5 µL of PCR product along with 2 µL of 6X
loading gel buffer (Fermentas, Lithuania, UAB) was loaded into each well. 100 bp DNA
ladder (Fermentas, Lithuania, UAB) was used to determine the sizes of the PCR products
and BDA digital gel documentation system (Core Life Sciences, CA) was used for
visualizing the gels and gels were photographed under UV light.
Chapter 1
34
1.3.5 Antibiotic Sensitivity Analysis
Antibiotic sensitivity profiles of C. jejuni isolated from diverse sources were assessed by
Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Beta lactamase detection in C. jejuni isolates was
detected by nitrocefin method. Details of these methods are described below.
1.3.5.1 Kirby-Bauer Disc Diffusion Assay
The rational to carry out antibiotic susceptibility was to determie the occurrence and
current status of antibiotic resistance among C. jejuni strains isolated from poultry,
human gastroenteritis cases, cattle isolates and waste water isolates from the surrounding
environments. Antibiotic susceptibility of characterized C. jejuni isolates (n= 351) to
commonly prescribed antibiotics in gastroenteritis cases and antibiotics used in poultry
and veterinary settings was checked by Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method. Escherichia
coli ATCC 25922, with known antimicrobial susceptibility, was used as the positive
control for each of the antibiotics used. Tested antibiotics included C-chloramphenicol
(30 µg), TE-tetracycline (30 µg), S-streptomycin (10 µg), CIP-ciprofloxacin (5 µg),
AMP-ampicillin (30 µg), NA-nalidixic acid (30 µg), ERY-erythromycin (30 µg), CN-
gentamycin (10 µg), SXT-sulphomethoxazole + trimethoprim (25 µg), CTX,-cefotaxime
(30 µg) and CRO-ceftriaxone (30 µg). The assay was performed using 48 hrs grown
culture on muller hinton agar containing 5% sheep blood. Briefly, bacterial suspension
made in sterile PBS solution with the density standardized to the 0.5 McFarland turbidity
standards was coated with the help of sterile cotton swab over the surface of agar plate to
set up an even bacterial lawn. Antibiotic discs were set down over bacterial lawn and
plates were set for incubation subjected to microaerophilic conditions as described above
for 48 hours. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined by measuring the growth inhibition
zone around each disc. A zone of inhibition with diameter > 13 mm was considered
breakpoint for susceptibility whereas diameter between 10 and 13 mm as an intermediate
and less than and equal to 10 mm as the resistant. Confirmation of the breakpoints for
sensitivity was conducted as per guidelines of CLSI 2010.
Chapter 1
35
1.3.5.2 Nitrocefin Method
Beta lactamases in C. jejuni isolates were detected by modified nitrocefin method
(Lachance et al., 1993). Briefly, strains were analyzed in micro wells which contained
0.05 ml of the bacterial cell suspension, adjusted to approximately 0.5 McFarland
turbidity standard, in phosphate buffer (0.05 M; pH 7.0) was added to 0.05 ml of
nitrocefin (Glaxo Research, 87/312) (Oxoid, SR0112). A positive test was indicated when
a red color was developed within 30 min. Lack of development of a red color after 30
minutes was regarded as a negative test.
1.4 Results
1.4.1 Confirmation of Isolates as Campylobacter jejuni
Samples from different sources positive for catalase, oxidase, indoxyl acetate and
hippurate hydrolysis test were presumptively regarded as C. jejuni. Further confirmation
was inferred on the presence of 16S rRNA and hipO genes in these isolates. On the basis
of these confirmatory PCRs, 34 human diarrheal including 14 bloody diarrheal cases, 158
chicken, 122 cattle and 32 wastewater samples were regarded positive for the presence of
C. jejuni. Figure 1.1 shows amplified products of 16S rRNA and hipO genes.
Chapter 1
36
A
B
Figure 1.1 (A) Isolates positive for 16s rRNA (B) for hipO gene. PCR of 16S RNA and
hipO for genus and species confirmation. Lane 1- 1 kb ladder, Lane 2- 9, Isolates positive
for 16s rRNA and hipO genes; Lane 10- Positive control (NCTC 11168); Lane 11- No
template control.
Chapter 1
37
1.4.2 Isolation Frequency of C. jejuni in Different Sources
Among 1325 tested samples from diverse sources, 346 were found to be positive for the
presence of Campylobacter jejuni, which represent an overall prevalence rate of 26.11 %.
C. jejuni were isolated in 13.6 % (n = 34) of clinical diarrheal samples, 46.47 % (n = 158)
of poultry samples, 21.40 % (n = 122) of cattle samples and 22.06 % (n = 32) of waste
water samples (Table 1.1). Occurrence of C. jejuni among human diarrheal samples was
relatively higher in Gilgit (20 %) as compared to Islamabad (17.64 %), Lahore (16.66 %),
Karachi (10 %) and Peshawar (10 %). Highest isolation rates of C. jejuni were observed
in poultry samples. The isolation rates from Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and
Gilgit were 56.66 %, 41.66 %, 41.66 %, 36 % and 25 % respectively. This indicates
highest isolation frequency among poultry samples from Islamabad and similar
prevalence rates from Lahore and Karachi. Isolation frequency of C. jejuni in cattle
samples was highest in Lahore (25 %) followed by Peshawar (20.83 %), Karachi (20.68
%) and Islamabad (20 %) and Gilgit (16.66 %). Among wastewater samples, highest
prevalence of C. jejuni was observed in samples from Islamabad (25 %) followed by
Lahore (24%), Peshawar (23.33%), Karachi (20 %) and Gilgit (15%).
Poultry being the most potential reservoir for C. jejuni, as expected, highest isolation rate
of C. jejuni was observed in poultry samples followed by wastewater, cattle and clinical
samples from different cities (Figure 1.2).
Chapter 1
38
Table 1.1 Isolation rates of Campylobacter jejuni in investigated different sources.
Sources Humans Poultry Cattle Wastewater
City No. of
positive/total
no. of samples
(%)
No. of
positive/total
no. of samples
(%)
No. of
positive/total
no. of samples
(%)
No. of
positive/total no.
of samples
(%)
Islamabad 15/58
(17.64)
85/150
(56.66)
27/135
(20)
10/40
(25)
Karachi 6/60
(10)
25/60
(41.66)
30/145
(20.68)
6/30
(20)
Lahore 10/60
(16.66)
25/60
(41.66)
35/140
(25)
6/25
(24)
Peshawar 5/50
(10)
18/50
(36)
25/120
(20.83)
7/30
(23.33)
Gilgit 3/15
(20)
5/20
(25)
5/30
(16.66)
3/20
(15)
Total 34/250
(13.6)
158/340
(46.47)
122/570
(21.40)
32/145
(22.06)
Chapter 1
39
Figure 1.2 Isolation frequency of C. jejuni from Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore,
Peshawar and Gilgit. Highest isolation frequency was observed for poultry followed by
wastewater, cattle and human diarrheal samples from different cities.
Chapter 1
40
1.4.3 Antibiotic Susceptibility of C. jejuni Isolates
All isolates confirmed as C. jejuni from different sources were subjected to antibiotic
susceptibility profiling by disc diffusion assay. Picture of disc diffusion assay of one of
the isolate is shown Figure 1.3. Antibiotic susceptibility patterns of C. jejuni isolates
included in this study are provided in Appendix I. Figure 1.4 (A) shows patterns of
antibiotic susceptibilities from human diarrheal isolates. High resistance rates to nalidixic
acid (90 %), ceftriaxone (87 %), erythromycin (78 %), cefotaxime (75 %),
sulphmethoxazole+trimethopterim (75 %) and tetracycline (75 %) were observed in
clinical isolates. While the most sensitive antibiotics were found to be spectinomycin (80
%) and chloramphenicol (60 %). Alarmingly, all C. jejuni isolates from poultry showed
100 % resistance to nalidixic acid, erythromycin and ceftriaxone (Figure 1.4 (B)) while
the most sensitive antibiotics were found to be spectinomycin (90 %) and
chloramphenicol (85 %). Figure 1.4 (C) shows trends of antibiotic susceptibilities of C.
jejuni isolates from cattle. High rates of resistance were noticed for nalidixic acid (70 %),
cefotaxime (75 %) and erythromycin (65 %). Chloramphenicol and spectinomycin were
found to be most sensitive antibiotics as sensitivity rates of 100% and 60 % respectively
were observed. Among wastewater isolates antibiotic resistance trends were alarming as
100 % resistance rates were observed for nalidixic acid, ceftriaxone and
sulphmethoxazole+trimethopterim (Figure 1.4 (D)). Resistance rates of 80% were
observed for erythromycin and cefotaxime while most sensitive antibiotics were found to
be spectinomycin (60 %) and chloramphenicol (60 %).
Higher resistance rates to erythromycin and tetracycline is quite alarming during our
study as these are considered as the preferred drug for the therapy of Campylobacter spp.
Data shows the presence of multidrug resistant strains particularly in poultry and
wastewater sources which may serve as a niche to carry resistance among humans.
Resistance rates in humans were comparable to poultry isolates with particularly higher
levels of resistance to nalidixic acid, erythromycin and ceftriaxone.
Additionally, all C. jejuni isolates from different sources were screened for their beta
lactamase activity by nitrocefin method. 57 % of poultry, 39 % of cattle, 35 % of human
diarrheal and 32 % of wastewater isolates were found to be positive for beta-lactamase
activity (Figure 1.5).
Chapter 1
41
Overall, the results of antibiotic resistance rates from different sources are presented in
Table 1.2.
Figure 1.3 Mueller-hinton plate of C. jejuni isolate showing antibiotic discs with
zones of inhibition. Sulphmethoxazole+trimethopterim, spectinomycin and cefotaxime
are resistant with no zones of inhibition while cloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin and
gentamicin are sensitive for this isolate.
Chapter 1
42
A
B
C
D
Figure 1.4 Antibiotic susceptibility patterns of C. jejuni isolated from (A) human
diarrheal, (B) poultry, (C) cattle, (D) wastewater samples. Abbreviations: nalidixic acid
(NA); ciprofloxacin (CIP); erythromycin (ERY); cefotaxime (CTX); ceftriaxone (CRO);
gentamicin (CN); spectinomicin (SPC); sulphmethoxazole+trimethopterim (SXT);
chloramphenicol (C); tetracycline (TE); ampicillin (AMP)
Chapter 1
43
Figure 1.5 Beta lactamase producing C. jejuni isolates from different sources.
Highest beta lactamase producing isolates were observed from poultry followed by cattle,
human diarrheal and wastewater samples.
Chapter 1
44
Table 1.2 Antimicrobial resistance rates of Campylobacter jejuni isolates from
different sources
Resistant
Strains from
Sources
NA
(%)
CIP
(%)
ERY
(%)
CTX
(%)
CRO
(%)
CN
(%)
SPC
(%)
SXT
(%)
C
(%)
TE
(%)
AMP
(%)
Humans 98 25 78 75 87 40 15 75 30 75 35
Poultry 100 55 100 90 100 30 5 65 15 55 57
Cattle 70 10 65 75 60 25 40 60 0 35 39
Wastewater 100 40 80 80 100 20 40 100 40 60 32
Abbreviations: nalidixic acid (NA); ciprofloxacin (CIP); erythromycin (ERY); cefotaxime
(CTX); ceftriaxone (CRO); gentamicin (CN); spectinomicin (SPC);
sulphmethoxazole+trimethopterim (SXT); chloramphenicol (C); tetracycline (TE); ampicillin
(AMP)
Chapter 1
45
1.4.3.1 Multidrug Resistance in C. jejuni Isolates
Additionally, 80.9 % (n = 280) of C. jejuni isolates exhibited multidrug resistance to
antibiotics (resistance to three or more antibiotics), 6.42 % (n = 18) isolates resistant to
three antibiotics, 9.28 % (n = 26) resistant to four antibiotics, 14.28 % (n = 40) resistant
to five antibiotics, 25 % (n = 70) resistant to six antibiotics, 31.07 % (n= 87) resistant to
seven antibiotics, 11.07 % (n= 31) resistant to eight antibiotics, 2.5 % (n= 7) resistant to
nine antibiotics and 0.35% (n = 1) to ten antibiotics (Figure 1.6). Exceptionally, ninety
eight different antibiotic resistance profiles were recorded, with “nalidixic acid,
erythromycin, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, cotrimoxazole tetracycline, ampicillin”
combination as the most common resistance profile determined for 9.53 % (n = 33) of
isolated C. jejuni strains (Appendix 2).
Figure 1.6 C. jejuni isolates resistant to multiantibiotics. 80.9 % of all C. jejuni
isolates were resistant to multiantibiotics. Highest proportion (31 %) of isolates were
resistant to combination of six antibiotics.
Chapter 1
46
1.5 Discussion
Since diarrhea has been declared as the second major cause of deaths (under 5 years of
age) globally, it is obvious that the microbes responsible for triggering the diarrheal
infections are ubiquitous. C. jejuni is one of those bacterial pathogens most prevalent in
nature despite the fact that it needs a microaerophilic environment and a narrow range of
temperature in order to survive and propagate. The study provides a comprehensive
overview about the isolation frequency and antibiotic resistance profiles of C. jejuni
isolates from different sources. In Pakistan, like many other developing countries
Campylobacter spp. is still not a part of diagnostics. Campylobacter jejuni is transmitted
by fecal oral route, however seasonal variability, eating habits and lifestyle contribute in
prevalence of infection. Fork to farm control measures are important to control the
infection but farm based factors directly affect the rate of infection and minimizes public
health risk. Ecologically, C. jejuni survives in wildlife and nonagricultural sources
however their tendency to colonize poultry is directly linked with transmission of
infections to humans.
Overall, the isolation rate of C. jejuni from poultry in our study was 46.47 % which is
similar to report from Belgium with 46.9 % isolation rate (Ghafir et al., 2007). The
prevalence rate of C. jejuni in poultry is higher in European countries like, in Bulgaria
where the prevalence of C. jejuni in poultry was found to be 49% (Daskalov and
Maramski, 2011) while the prevalence of C. jejuni in Asian countries like Iran was found
to be 42% (Ghane et al., 2012). Prevalence rates in poultry are slightly lower in our
region as compared to European and other Asian countries. Prevalence rates of C. jejuni
in poultry vary among different countries (Cloak et al., 2001, Lynch et al., 2011,
Jorgensen et al., 2011; Messad et al., 2014). Fecal excretion is probably an important
factor in spread of microbes in poultry flocks (Usha et al., 2010). This result can also be
related to high animal density, which promotes contact between animals especially those
carrying Campylobacter jejuni (Megraud and Bultel, 2004). In addition to sources such as
soiled litter, untreated water, other farm animals, wild birds, insects, as well as the human
waste, viable non-cultivable forms were associated to Campylobacter jejuni transmission
in broilers, which would in turn be responsible for transmission of these microorganisms
to the environment (Humphrey et al., 2007).
Chapter 1
47
During the current study, among clinical isolates the overall isolation rate of C. jejuni was
found to be 13.6 % whereas isolation in Islamabad was 17.64 % which is in agreement
with a previous report i.e. 18 % from Rawalpindi, Pakistan (Ali et al., 2003). The
isolation rate of C. jejuni in humans in Karachi (10 %) was reportedly lower in relatively
recent study (Khan et al., 2010) than the prevalence patterns studied in previous report
from Karachi i.e. 29.5% (Kazmi et al., 1987). The percentage of occurrence rate in Gilgit
was 20 %, Lahore 16.66 % and Peshawar 10 %, indicating that seasonal variation and
exposure to different risk factors may play an important role in different rates among
these cities during the current study. The isolation of C. jejuni in Asian countries is also
higher as compared to prevalence of C. jejuni in Pakistan (13.6 %) i.e. in Thailand the
isolation was noted to be 22% (Wardak et al., 2007). However, low prevalence of 8%
was noted in Iran (Feizabadi et al., 2007). The isolation rates of C. jejuni in European
countries is also higher. Spain showed a prevalence of 25% (Wardak et al., 2007). The
prevalence of C. jejuni in Finalnd was found to be 49% that shows high incidence rates of
C. jejuni over there (Hakanen et al., 2003).
The isolation of C. jejuni in cattle was found to be low (9.8%) in Iran (Rahimi et al.,
2010) as compared to our study where the overall prevalence of C. jejuni in cattle from
different cities is found to be 21.40 %. While our prevalence rates are somewhat
comparable to a study in Finland (19.5 %) (Hakkinen et al., 2007). More recently, study
from Lithuania reported a much higher prevalence i.e. 78.5 % of C. jejuni from cattle
(Ramonaite et al., 2013). Results from different countries have shown that C. jejuni is
prevalent in wastewater and that animal and human waste, animal treatment plants and
poultry farms are the main sources. However, isolation in wastewater samples in our
region is 22.06 % which is somewhat lower than rest of the countries which have
reported up to 63% prevalence rates (Lauria - Filgueiras and Hofer, 1998;
Rodriguez and Araujo, 2010; Khan et al., 2013).
Studies from other countries show variation in the isolation rate of C. jejuni, this may be
due to the different methods of sample collection, microbiological protocols employed,
seasonal variation and can be due to the fact that studies in different countries performed
in different time of the year. Human infections are linked to the increased amounts of C.
Chapter 1
48
jejuni in the environment, which are in turn assessed by the changes in number of C.
jejuni within livestock animals and poultry.
Campylobacteriosis is self-limiting disease and antibiotic treatment is required only in
critical cases. Available treatment regime for Campylobacteriosis in humans consists of
erythromycin, tetracycline and ciprofloxacin. Current antibiotic resistance trends have
seriously affected the susceptibility pattern of Campylobacter jejuni. In our study higher
resistance was observed particularly in humans and poultry isolates to nalidixic acid,
ceftriaxone, erythromycin, cefotaxime and sulphmethoxazole+trimethopterim. High
levels of resistance towards antibiotics, widely used in farms including nalidixic acid,
ciprofloxacin, tetracycline and ampicillin, shows similar trends compared to previous
reports (EFSA, 2010; Messad et al., 2014). High susceptibility to chloramphenicol and
gentamicin could be explained by none or moderate use of these antibiotics. Several
authors agree that the use of antibiotics in livestock animals as therapeutic agents or as
growth promotion factors can select for resistance and reduce the effectiveness of these
products in veterinary and human medicine, because of emergence of resistant strains,
which may occur during or post antimicrobial treatment (Avrain et al., 2003; Rahimi et
al., 2010; Usha et al., 2010; WHO, 2008). Despite that, the use of disinfectants or other
biocides (Russell, 2002; EFSA 2010), and the environmental stresses encountered by
bacteria during the slaughter process (McMahon et al., 2007) may also play an important
role in the phenomenon of antibiotic resistance. Erythromycin resistant strains are
frequently observed in developing countries, including Thailand (50%) and Zimbabwe
(14%) (WHO, 2003) but in our study resistance up to 100 % has been observed. This can
be explained by the previous study (Lin et al., 2007) suggesting erythromycin used in low
doses over a long period (which corresponds to their use as a growth factor) selects for
resistant strains of Campylobacter jejuni. Resistance rates up to 55 % to ciprofloxacin in
poultry isolates have been observed during the current study which is quite lower than
recently reported rate of 83.7 % from chickens (Messad et al., 2014). Various studies
have showed the rapid development of mutants resistant to fluoroquinolones in chickens
initially infected with fluoroquinolones sensetive Campylobacter spp., following
treatment with enrofloxacin. In fact treatment of chickens with enrofloxacin do not
eradicate Campylobacter spp. but convert susceptible population to fluoroquinolones
Chapter 1
49
resistant population which emerges as soon as 24 hrs from the start of treatment
(McDermott et al., 2002; Farnell et al., 2005; Han et al., 2008). Overall, 56.25 %
tetracycline resistance has been found in this current study. Many authors have reported
frequent resistance (up to 83.7 %) to tetracycline (Bester and Essack, 2008; Tambur et
al., 2010; Mansouri-najand et al., 2012).
A Malaysian study has reported very high resistance rates; 86% was recorded to
ampicillin, 82% to ciprofloxacin, 92% to tetracycline and 99% to erythromycin and 35%
to gentamicin (35%) (Tang et al., 2009). Our reported overall resistance to ampicillin
(40.75 %), ciprofloxacin (32. 5 %) and tetracycline (56. 25 %) are considerably lower
than this Malaysian report. Reports of resistance to erythromycin and gentamicin are
comparable to this study. According to Vandeplas et al. (2008) various veterinary
practices in antimicrobial use for treatment, prevention and control are responsible for
changes in rates of antimicrobial resistance between countries.
In the current study overall occurrence of beta lactamase positive isolates was found to be
40.25 % and they were all resistant to ampicillin. This is coherent with a previous study,
which reported 40% of their strains resistant to this antibiotic (Tajada et al., 1996). The
percentage of ampicillin resistant strains is varying and ranges from 0% to 51.8% of C.
jejuni strains. The differences in the susceptibilities of the thermophilic Campylobacter
spp. to ampicillin and amoxicillin make these organisms a noteworthy exception to the
large majority of clinically significant bacteria, against which these two compounds show
almost analogous behaviors. But Griggs et al. (2009) postulated that the production of β-
lactamase was not always related with resistance to β-lactam agents and isolates that
show resistance to ampicillin produce more enzyme than the ampicillin-susceptible
isolates do. Although, it may propose that β-lactamases have some other function besides
mediating β-lactam resistance in Campylobacter spp. Mechanisms
of Campylobacter resistance to some betalactams like ampicillin and some of the
expanded-spectrum cephalosporins are varying and not explicitly explained (Lachance et
al., 1991; Tajada et al., 1996). Usually, with the exception of some carbapenems,
majority of Campylobacter strains are regarded as resistant to the betalactam antibiotics,
especially the penicillins and narrow-spectrum cephalosporins (Wieczorek and Osek,
2013).
Chapter 1
50
Unlike other foodborne pathogens, C. jejuni is very susceptible to many environmental
conditions, as concluded in this study, our results confirm that C. jejuni can survive well
in different environments and therefore are of public health concern. To our knowledge
this is the first study in Pakistan on assessment of incidence of C. jejuni from diverse
sources. Seasonal variation may play a role in different isolation rates from different
cities. In the warmest months (May to September) average temperatures in the North
(Gilgit) do not exceed 15°C, whilst in the South (Karachi) they can reach up to 35° C and
more. In the coolest months (November to February) are well below zero in the highest
altitudes, and 20‐25°C in the low‐lying south. Rainfall up to 200mm is received through
July to September (McSweeney et al., 2013). In our study, maximum isolation rates from
all sources were observed during June to August. Additional studies are required on the
seasonal prevalence patterns of C. jejuni from different sources. Surveillance data from
this current study will be useful in identifying risk factors implicated in the spread of C.
jejuni in Pakistan. This study revealed that antibiotic resistant C. jejuni is common among
chickens and cattle which can find their way into the food chain. Multi drug resistant C.
jejuni depicts the widespread use of antibiotics in poultry farming and livestock. As
major source of human campylobacteriosis, preventive measures should be focused on
reducing Campylobacter infection at all stages of poultry production chain, as well as for
the controlled use of antimicrobials in veterinary medicine. Our results also emphasize
the need for a surveillance and monitoring system in developing countries like Pakistan,
for the monitoring of the spread of antimicrobial resistance among Campylobacter jejuni
in broiler, poultry and other food animals.
Chapter 2
51
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
52
Chapter 2
Source Attribution and Strain Clustering of C. jejuni Isolates from
Diverse Sources
2.1 Abstract
Globally, Campylobacter jejuni is the major cause of bacterial human gastroenteritis.
However, source tracking of this bacterium is quite difficult. Formerly DNA microarrays
and Multi Locus Sequence Typing (MLST) have been widely used for source attribution
but these techniques are quite expensive and not feasible in many of the developing
countries. In the current study, C. jejuni isolates from clinical diarrheal, poultry, cattle and
wastewater sources were analyzed for their source attribution and distribution into clusters
by recently proposed two triplex predictive PCRs. These PCRs were based on
amplification of six coding DNA sequences of hypervariable region of C. jejuni. On the
basis of the presence or absence of amplified products of these coding DNA sequences,
PCR profiles were generated. These PCR profiles were then used for the prediction of
clusters of C. jejuni isolates. All C. jejuni isolates were grouped by means of genotypes
into nine clusters i.e. C1–C9. Results revealed that not any of the C. jejuni isolates of our
study were assigned to C1/C2/C3 cluster. 45.01 % of isolates were predicted to be in C4/C6
group and 4.27 % were predicted in C5 group, which are livestock associated groups. 35.89
% of the isolates were speculated to be in C7/C8 and 14.81 % in C9 groups, which are non-
livestock associated groups. 41.17 % of clinical diarrheal isolates were predicted in C4/C6
(livestock) group. The rest of them were predicted in non-livestock associated groups i.e.
23.52 % of the clinical diarrheal isolates were predicted in the C7/C8 groups and 35.29 %
in C9 group. The predictive mPCR assay can be used to demonstrate if a diarrheal clinical
case has its origin from domesticated or nondomesticated sources. Majority of diarrheal
clinical isolates were tracked to be from the nonlivestock sources, so nonlivestock sources
are equally important in causing human infection. Water contamination seems to be
common source for C. jejuni. Cj1720 (coding for Leucin), a CDS of hypervariable region
of C. jejuni seems to be conserved feature of the non-livestocks with the livestocks.
Surveillance strategies should be intended to lessen the burden of C. jejuni infections by
limiting transmission from livestock as well as nonlivetock sources.
Chapter 2
53
2.2 Introduction
Campylobacter spp. has been identified as the most widespread bacterial causative agent
of intestinal infectious disease (IID), as a report of 2009 showed 9.3 cases per 1000 person
annually that account for more than 500,000 cases of IID (Tam et al., 2012). According to
WHO technical report, source attribution is the assessment of the comparative
contributions of various sources to the human disease burden (WHO, 2013). Handling of
livestock animals and consumption of products derived from livestock specially poultry
related products are largely responsible for C. jejuni infections (Skirrow, 1977; Skirrow et
al., 1981; Harris et al., 1986; Wilson et al., 2008; Tam et al., 2009). Though, it is becoming
evident that the bacterium is usually adaptable to varied ecological niches and has different
survival strategies like biofilm formation in diverse environments (Joshua et al., 2006).
Previous reports have demonstrated that C. jejuni can be found in diverse ecological niches
and is capable of surviving and multiplying in these harsh environmental habitats (Moen
et al., 2005; Murphy et al., 2005). Several reports have mentioned that C. jejuni has been
detected from various non-livestock animals including rodents, hares, flies, wild-birds,
deer, squirrels, hedgehogs, badger, foxes, bank voles and seals (Rosef et al., 1983; Rosef
et al., 1985; Petersen et al., 2001; French et al., 2009). Wild animals and birds have been
found to be as potential reservoirs for Campylobacter transmission to livestock animals
(Kwan et al., 2008; Horrocks et al., 2009). Knowledge on the Campylobacter ecology in
wildlife is insufficient; Campylobacter spp. is not thought to cause illness in wildlife and
the contribution of wildlife as Campylobacter reservoirs remains to be ascertained (Sippy
et al., 2012). C. jejuni has also been detected in natural water sources and soil (Kemp et
al., 2005; Jensen et al., 2006). Vegetable material has also been reported to have C. jejuni
contamination and can supplement its survival (Park and Sanders, 1992; Brandl et al.,
2004). Additionally, a surveillance in rural areas reported that exposure to animals and
their surroundings was a source for sporadic Campylobacter cases (Ethelberg et al., 2005).
Previously studies have employed MLST to assess the existence of particular clones in
particular host environments and their ability to adapt to that environment (Dingle et al.,
2001; Manning et al., 2003; Sails et al., 2003; McCarthy et al., 2007). Similarly, whole
genome microarray analysis has provided a vigorous method for determining the genetic
relevance of bacterial communities (Champion et al., 2005; Dorrell et al., 2005; Howard
Chapter 2
54
et al., 2006; Stabler et al., 2006). Champion et al. (2005) had determined two distinct
groups which were assigned as ‘livestock group’ and ‘nonlivestock group’. In their study
clinical diarrheal isolates were almost uniformly allocated between these two groups.
Different genetic profiles can be suggested for the occurrence of livestock associated
isolates in one group and wildlife and water (WW) associated isolates in the separate group.
In a study seven hyper variable plasticity regions (PR) were identified in C. jejuni isolates
from various sources by Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH) assay, which were
proposed to be because of adaptation to the ecological niche (Pearson et al., 2003). Later
study used a combinatorial method involving MLST and CGH for analysis of C. jejuni
isolated from badgers, rabbits, wild birds and environmental water and proved that CGH
information gathered strains in groups that corresponded the MLST Clonal Complexes
(CC) data (Hepworth et al., 2011). In that study WW isolates grouped into one group that
show genetic similarity between C. jejuni and C. coli (Hepworth et al., 2011). In the MLST
database, chicken isolates had shown the absence of the WW STs except for a single
exclusion from a sporadic infection. In addition in that study genome sequence of a bank
vole isolate and WW isolate was determined which showed significant deletions in genome
including cytolethal distending toxin (cdt) and genes implicated in the colonisation
(Hepworth et al., 2011). More recently, Stabler et al., investigated 284 C. jejuni isolates
that included 122 isolates from a case control study by microarray interpretation (Tam et
al., 2012) and combined with the details from Champion et al., study to further resolve
adjustment to specific ecological niches (Stabler et al., 2013). Stabler et al., grouped C.
jejuni isolates into nine clusters, depending upon presence and absence of the predicted
1574 coding DNA sequences (CDSs) from the NCTC strain C. jejuni 11168. These clusters
were then used to analyse hypervariable plasticity regions that could be associated with a
specific source and niche adaptation. They developed an instant multiplex PCR (mPCR)
based methodolgy for assigning cluster and determining potential source attribution of
particular C. jejuni isolate.
This chapter reports the findings of the grouping of C. jejuni isolates from different sources
into clusters based upon the presence and absence of CDSs in the hypervariable region of
C. jejuni. The goals were 1) to assign the cluster groups of C. jejuni isolates from human
diarrheal, cattle, poultry and waste-water sources, isolated from main cities of Pakistan
Chapter 2
55
including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar and Gilgit 2) to determine livestock and
non-livestock association of respective C. jejuni isolates.
2.3 Materials and Methods
2.3.1 Growth of Bacterial Strains
Analysis for source attribution was performed on 34 human diarrheal including 14 bloody
diarrheal cases and 20 non-bloody diarrheal cases, 158 chicken, 122 cattle, 32 wastewater
positive C. jejuni isolates were. C. jejuni strains were grown on modified Charcoal
Cefoperazone Deoxycholate Agar (mCCDA) (Oxoid, Basingstoke, UK, CM0739)
supplemented with Campylobacter Selective Supplement (Skirrow) (Oxoid, Basingstoke,
UK, SR0155) under microaerobic conditions (6% O2, 12% CO2) using 2.5 litres airtight
jar along with Campygen sachets (Oxoid, Basingstoke, UK, CN025A) for 48 hours at 42°C.
Cells were then harvested and genomic DNA extraction was performed as mentioned
previously in Chapter 1.
2.3.2 DNA Extraction
DNA was extracted using phenol-chloroform method. The steps of DNA extraction are
described below.
Colonies from fresh C. jejuni growth were picked with sterile cotton swab and dissolved
in 1 mL PBS in 1.5 mL eppendorf tube. Centrifugation for 2 minutes at 4659 x g.
Supernatant was removed, 400 µL of NaCl+Tris+EDTA (STE) added, pipetted for proper
mixing. Centrifugation at 4659 x g for 2 minutess. This step of addition of STE and
centrifugation was repeated twice. The supernatant was removed, 200 µL of TE added,
vortexed and 100 µL of Tris saturated phenol added. Vortexed for 1 minute to mix properly.
Centrifugation at 12,300 x g for 5 minutes. 100 µL of Chloroform was added.
Centrifugation was performed at 12,300 x g for 5 minutes at 4 ºC. Upper phase was
carefully aspirated with pipette, without disturbing the lower phase. 50 µL TE+ 100 µL
chloroform was added. Centrifugation at 12,300 x g for 5 minutes. Step of washing of the
upper phase with TE and choloroform was performed thrice. Upper phase was transferred
to sterile eppendorff tube. Purified gDNA was stored at -20 ºC.
Chapter 2
56
2.3.3 Distribution of C. jejuni Isolates from Diverse Sources in Strain Clusters
Strain clusters of C. jejuni isolates from various sources were predicted by two triplex PCR
mixes as described by Stabler et al. (2013). M1 mPCR was used to amplify Cj0056c (415
bp), Cj1139c (703 bp) and Cj1422c (900 bp) while M2 mPCR was used to amplify Cj0485
(406 bp), Cj1324 (765 bp) and Cj1720 (595 bp). NCTC strain C. jejuni 11168 was
employed as the positive control for this this two triplex PCR. Primers used in predictive
multiplex PCR are mentioned in Table 2.1. All primers were synthesized by alpha DNA
(Montreal, Quebec). Thermo cycling for both the triplex PCRs was performed in MJ
MiniTM Thermocycler ( Bio-Rad, PTC-200; MJ Research Inc., Watertown, MA, USA)
under the following conditions: 5 min at 94°C followed by 35 cycles of 30 sec at 94°C, 60
sec at 56°C and 2 min at 72°C followed by 10 min at 72°C. The PCR amplicons were
resolved by loading onto 1.5% agarose gel containing 0.05 % ethidium bromide, staining
dye. The gels were given a run at 100V for 40 minutes. 5 µL of amplified product with 2
µL of 6X loading gel buffer (Fermentas, Lithuania, UAB) was loaded into each well. 100
bp DNA ladder (Fermentas, Lithuania, UAB) was utilized to determine the sizes of the
PCR amplicons. The gels were visualized using UV transilluminator and photographed
under UV light.
Binary data of PCR profiles of C. jejuni isolates obtained from predictive PCR for
assigning their respective cluster groups was used as a rationale for the construction of
dendrogram. Dendrogram was constructed using DendroUPGMA
(genomes.urv.cat/UPGMA).
Chapter 2
57
Table 2.1 Primers for strain cluster attribution of C. jejuni isolates. The mPCR1
included primers for CDSs Cj1422 (900 bps), Cj1139 (703 bp) and Cj0056 (415 bps). The
mPCR2 included primers for CDSs Cj1324 (765 bps), Cj1720 (595 bp) and Cj0485 (406
bps).
Primers Primer Sequence (5’- 3’) PCR
product
size
(bps)
Tm
(°C)
Reference
mPCR1
Cj0056-cl-F GAAAGAAGTGAAGGGTGGGT 415 56 Stabler et
al. 2013 Cj0056-cl-R TTATTCAAAGACAGGACTTGA 56
Cj1139-cl-F ATGAGTCAAATTTCCATCAT 703 56 Stabler et
al. 2013 Cj1139-cl-R GTTCTTGAATATTAGCTTCT 52
Cj1422-cl-F ATGCTCAACCCAAATTCAGC 900 58 Stabler et
al. 2013 Cj1422-cl-R GGCAAATTTTAAATCATTGCATG 60
mPCR2
Cj0485-cl-F GATCTATGCCTAAAGAGCACG 406 62 Stabler et
al. 2013 Cj0485-cl-R TCCTTAGCAAAAGCACAAGCC 62
Cj1324-cl-F GTGATCACTGCGTGATGCCA 765 62 Stabler et
al. 2013 Cj1324-cl-R CAGTAAAACCACGACTTTTAGC 62
Cj1720-cl-F AAATGGAACCTGTTATCCAC 595 60 Stabler et
al. 2013 Cj1720-cl-R TCAACCTCCACCGATAAAGT 58
Chapter 2
58
2.4 Results
2.4.1 Cluster Prediction by Predictive Multiplex PCR
For assigning clusters and identification of potential reservoirs of C. jejuni isolates from
diverse isolates of this study, they were subjected to two triplex PCR with MI PCR based
on Cj0056c (415 bp), Cj1139c (703 bp) and Cj1422c (900 bp) while M2 mPCR based on
Cj0485 (406 bp), Cj1324 (765 bp) and Cj1720 (595 bp) (Figure 2.1). Presence or absence
of these CDS in a particular isolate marked its strain cluster location. PCR profiles of all
C. jejuni isolates and their respective strains clusters are shown in Appendix 2.
2.4.2 Distribution of C. jejuni Isolates in Strain Clusters and Source Attribution
C. jejuni isolates analyzed in the current study are presented in the dendrogram of strain
clusters (Figure 2.1). Phylogram location of each isolate was predicted using multiplex
predictive PCR data. Branches were differently colored in all strain groups, which is
indicating their source attribution that whether they are human diarrheal isolates with black
branches, wildlife isolates with green branches, livestock associated (cattle related) with
blue branches, livestock associated (chicken and poultry related) with red branches. None
of the C. jejuni isolates of our study were assigned to C1/C2/C3 cluster. Additionally, five
isolates of this study including one poultry, two cameline and two waste water isolates
were with distinct PCR profiles (i.e. 010000) (yellow branches) that could not be allocated
to any of the existing strain clusters C1-C9. The waste water isolates can be livestock
(chicken, poultry or cattle related) or non-livestock (wild life related) associated depending
upon location of collection of the water sample.
Clinical C. jejuni isolates were present in all clusters. Interestingly, 14/34 (41.17 %) human
diarrheal isolates were predicted to be in C4/C6. C4/C6 group was found to be exclusively
livestock associated group as according to our isolate distribution in groups, C4/C6
contained all livestock associated isolates including poultry and cattle related isolates. 8/34
(23.52 %) of the clinical diarrheal isolates were predicted to be in C7/C8 groups and 12/34
(35.29 %) in C9 groups, which are nonlivestock associated groups.
Distribution of C. jejuni isolates from diverse sources on the basis of PCR profiles into
strain groups indicated highest percentage of isolates in C4/C6 group with 158/351 isolates
Chapter 2
59
(45.01 %) followed by C7/C8 with 126/351 (35.89 %), C9 with 52/351 (14.81 %) and C5
with 15/351 (4.27 %) (Figure 2.3).
A
B
Figure 2.1 Prediction of strain cluster groups by multiplex PCR. Lane 1- 1 kb ladder,
Lane 2 – 5 tested C. jejuni isolates - presence and absence of CDSs, 6- Positive control, 7-
No template control. (A) M1 mPCR1 involved amplicons based on CDSs Cj0056c (415
bp), Cj1139c (703 bp) and Cj1422c (900 bp), and. (B) M2 mPCR2 involved amplicons
based on CDSs Cj0485 (405 bp), Cj1720 (595 bp) and Cj1324 (765 bp).
Chapter 2
60
Figure 2.2 Dendrogram showing distribution of C. jejuni isolates from diverse sources
in strain cluster groups (C1-C9). Black branches = human diarrheal isolates, green
branches = wildlife isolates, blue branches = livestock associated (bovine, ovine, camleine
related), red branches = livestock associated (chicken and poultry related), ? yellow
branches = unknown/intermediate strain group (i.e. neither falling in livestock nor in non-
livestock identified groups).
Chapter 2
61
Figure 2.3 Distribution of C. jejuni isolates from diverse sources in strain cluster
groups. None of the isolates were predicted to be in C1/C2/C3. Majority (43.58 %) of the
isolates were in C4/C6 (livestock associated group), followed by C7/C8 (35.89 %), C9
(14.81 %) (non-livestock associated group). Rest of the isolates were in C5 (4.27%) and
only 1.42 % isolates could not be categorized into livestock or non-livestock associated
groups.
Livestock Groups Non-livestock Groups Unknown
Group
Chapter 2
62
2.5 Discussion
Identification of sources of infection from a clinical isolate and other cases from the
identical source can be effectively predicted by studies on epidemiology of C. jejuni. An
MLST database for C. jejuni was initially proposed by Dingle et al., 2001. Later studies
have used MLST for studying epidemiology (Sails et al., 2003), identification of source
linkage with specific clonal complexes (CC) (Manning et al., 2003; McCarthy et al., 2007).
According to a study MLST investigation of human C. jejuni isolates reported that
livestock sources were accountable for 97% sporadic infections, while 3% of sporadic
cases were attributable to wild life and environmental sources (Wilson et al., 2008). On the
basis of these studies it was inferred that C. jejuni isolated from environmental sources
were a negligible source of infection. But on the other hand several studies have proposed
that water borne and wildlife sources were involved in the C. jejuni infections (Schonberg-
Norio et al., 2004; Ethelberg et al., 2005; Kemp et al., 2005; Karenlampi et al., 2007).
Genotyping by MLST has been widely employed for the identification of epidemiological
profiles for C. jejuni but this method cannot describe the genetics behind adaptation to
specific environment/niche and their virulence. Comparative whole genome analysis for
the first time was used to analyse the presence or absence of 1574 CDSs (Stabler et al.,
2013). It provided information on the genetic elements which can be used for the
identification of isolates with similar genotypes. Adaptive genotypes can probably be
determined, as the recombination processes are only possible between the strains that have
the same environmental source. Comparative phylogenomics study by microarray on C.
jejuni isolates proved that the livestock associated isolates were principally grouped with
each other and water and wildlife isolates were clustered in a separate portion of the
dendrogram (Champion et al., 2005). Within this group, the phylogenetic tree could be
further subdivided into nine clusters, which provided information for niche adaptation by
isolate that possess a same set of absent or highly diversified genes.
In this study multiplex predictive PCR used by Stabler et al. (2013) was employed to
cluster C. jejuni isolates from various sources. On the basis of the PCR profiles obtained,
besides the predicted environmental associated isolates, groups C7-C9 predominantly
consisted of 68.85% cattle isolates, 58.82 % of clinical isolates and 46.83 % chicken
isolates. This percentage is high in relation to previously reported 17% livestock isolates
Chapter 2
63
in these groups while percentage of clinical isolates is comparatively low as previously
reported i.e. 97% in C7-C9 groups (Stabler et al., 2013). As, C7-C9 groups are associated
with non-livestock associated isolates, presence of chicken and cattle isolates in these
clusters indicate their possible mixing with wildlife and sharing of non-livestock
environment. Particularly the presence of greater percentage of clinical isolates in these
groups as compared to livestock associated groups indicate that more clinical cases are
attributable to non-livestock because of the exposure of humans to non-livestock
environment. In a previous study, group C7 contained majority of C. jejuni isolates which
had been earlier isolated from indoor raised chickens (Jorgensen et al., 2011) besides
human sporadic cases. So there is a possibility of mixing of indoor chickens with wild
chickens and contamination of indoor raised chickens by wild chickens. The presence of
the livestock isolates in C7-C9 groups could also demonstrate that these cattle and chicken
isolates have been transitory contaminated by these groups of C. jejuni. It is also a
possibility that some reservoirs may be frequently contaminated by other reservoirs,
definitely serving as an intermediate host in a direct contact passage (i.e. not an actual
supporting host).1.42 % isolates with distinct PCR profile i.e. 010000 could not be
categorized into identified livestock and non-livestock clusters.
Analysis of the cluster/group genotypes showed that hypervariable regions are restricted to
certain clusters (Stabler et al., 2013). Absence or presence of these regions in livestock,
non-livestock and clinical isolates does not provide adaptive benefit over other bacteria but
shows adaptation to a particular niche or environment and hence can track their source. It
is unclear that how the possible loss of function in these regions bestows benefit for
adaptation under these particular environments (Stabler et al., 2013).
Overall, the predictive multiplex PCR assay can be employed to demonstrate whether a
particular clinical isolate has originated from livestock or non-livestock sources. Prediction
of the majority of clinical isolates seemed to be from nonlivestock or nonagricultural
sources. So, non-livestock associated sources are equally important in causing human
infection. Water contamination seems to be common source for C. jejuni. Current strategies
involve reduction of the burden of C. jejuni infection through limiting transmission from
chicken flocks and cattle. In light of the knowledge obtained from this study, more potential
sources, especially within the nonlivestock environment, should be probed as probable
Chapter 2
64
reservoirs for C. jejuni infections. The possible maintenance by wildlife populations of
pathogenic Campylobacter could have important implications for public health. In view of
the complicated epidemiology of C, jejuni, a multifarious approach to control is required,
which takes into account the attribution of various reservoirs, pathways, comparative
exposures or risk assessment and risk factor modelling.
Chapter 3
65
Chapter 3
Chapter 3
66
Chapter 3
Molecular Detection and Surveillance of Type Six Secretion System of
Campylobacter jeuni in Pakistan
3.1 Abstract
The newly discovered type VI secretion system (T6SS) of proteobacteria is bacterial
protein injection machinery and has its role in virulence, symbiosis, bacterial interactions
and environmental stress responses. Therefore, presence of this secretion system confers
hyper virulence to its host and has been recently discovered in Campylobacter jejuni.
During the current study multiplex PCR based on T6SS conserved genetic markers was
employed to screen 366 Pakistani C. jejuni isolates from human diarrheal, poultry, cattle,
wildlife and waste water sources. Prevalence rate of T6SS in Pakistani isolates was found
to be 4.64 %. Gene expression of T6SS conserved markers was determined by reverse
transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR). T6SS positive strains were further characterized by source
tracking markers for their source attribution and strain cluster accreditation linked with
livestock and non-livestock association. C. jejuni isolates harbouring T6SS markers genes
were identified in livestock and non-livestock sources but in this study T6SS was not
identified in human diarrhoeal isolates. Gene expression analysis demonstrated down-
regulation of T6SS in an acidic environment. This study questions the role of the T6SS in
human diarrhoeal disease. Our study highlights the need to establish the role of the T6SS
in environmental survival or virulence.
3.2 Introduction
Gram-negative bacteria have a process which involves transportation of selected proteins
across the cell membrane from their synthesis site to the outside surface of the cell
generally known as protein secretion. Up till now six types of machineries in bacteria are
known that are implicated in the process of protein secretion, which are recognized as Type
I secretion system –Type VI secretion system (Holland, 2010). Type VI secretion system
(T6SS) is the most recently discovered in the protein secretion systems of Gram negative
bacteria, which is a complicated secretion system but occurs in a single-step. This term was
Chapter 3
67
first devised in 2006, with the identification of this secretion system in Vibrio cholera
(Pukatzki et al., 2006). Since from the finding of T6SSs, there has been a great deal of
interest in this newly discovered area. Not only are the T6SSs present in many Gram
negative bacteria, there have been many studies showing their role in the interaction with
host cell and virulence. A contractile phage sheath-like conformation is employed by the
T6SS apparatus that assists in protein secretion between the cells (Basler et al., 2012;
Bonemann et al., 2009; Leiman et al., 2009). About 1/4th of nearly all the sequenced Gram
negative bacteria, comprising bacteria of the genera Vibrio, Pseudomonas, and
Acinetobacter, possess gene clusters of T6SS (Boyer et al., 2009). Large and diverse gene
clusters encode T6SSs (Blondel et al., 2009; Boyer et al., 2009). Gene clusters of T6SS
are conveniently distinguishable on the basis of 13 basic and conserved genes that encode
the proteins which constitute the fundamental secretion assembly. Recent reports have
demonstrated that the type six secretion system (T6SS) plays an important function in
virulence in diverse bacterial pathogens, including Vibrio cholera, Pseudomonas
aeruginosa and Aeromonas hydrophila (Basler et al., 2013; Ishikawa et al., 2012; Mulder
et al., 2012; Sha et al., 2013). In addition, role of T6SS has been documented in its ability
to adapt to low temperature and high osmolarity (Ishikawa et al., 2012), quorum and stress
sensing (Sana et al., 2012; MacIntyre et al., 2010; Weber et al., 2009), bacterial growth
and motility (Das et al., 2002), biofilm formation (Aubert et al., 2008) and killing of other
competitive organisms in environment by the secretion of effector toxic proteins (Russell
et al., 2011; Zheng et al., 2011). These bacteria have diverse colonization niches including
plants, soil, invertebrates, vertebrates, mammals and marine environment implying that
T6SS is associated with different species of bacteria surviving in these ecological niches.
Campylobacter jejuni, a spiral-shaped and gram negative microaerophilic bacterium, is the
predominant cause of food-borne human enterocolitis globally with an estimate of about
400 million diagnosed cases every year (Ruiz-Palacios, 2007). Furthermore, C. jejuni
infection can result in crippling extra-intestinal problems including autoimmune
neuropathies such as Guillain-Barre´ syndrome and Miller Fisher syndrome and immune
mediated polyarthritis (Janssen et al., 2008). Regardless of the worldwide predominance
of C. jejuni as a diarrheal pathogen the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of C.
jejuni are not fully understood and a few number of virulence factors have been recognized
Chapter 3
68
including flaA: flagellin gene, cadF: outer membrane protein, ceuE: lipoprotein, cdt:
cytolethal distending toxin, cfrA: ferric receptor gene, pldA: outer membrane
phospholipase A gene; ansB: asparaginase gene; cstII/III: lipooligosaccharide
sialyltransferases II and III genes and fucP: L-fucose permease gene (Bang et al., 2003;
Zautner et al., 2012).
A functional T6SS machinery was recently reported in C. jejuni (Lertpiriyapong et al.,
2012). The T6SS gene assembly is a part of an integration element found to be in the
genomes of a subgroup of C. jejuni strains (Bleumink-Pluym et al., 2013). T6SS of C.
jejuni has diverse roles in virulence including adherence of cells, red blood cells
cytotoxicity and colonization of the mice (Bleumink-Pluym et al., 2013; Lertpiriyapong et
al. 2012). So, the existence of T6SS in C. jejuni isolates can serve as a potential virulence
marker to determine virulence. However, the role of T6SS in colonization or virulence of
natural host species is unknown. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that in C. jejuni, the
presence of a entire T6SS gene apparatus is strongly correlated with the presence of hcp
(hemolysin corregulated protein) gene (Harrison et al., 2014).
This chapter reports the results of the presenceT6SS in C. jejuni isolates from Pakistan.
This is one of the pioneer studies on T6SS in C. jejuni from South Asia particularly in
Pakistan. The goals were 1) to determine occurence of the T6SS among C. jejuni isolates
from human diarrheal, poultry, cattle, wildlife and waste-water sources, isolated from main
cities of Pakistan including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar and Gilgit, the hcp gene
was used as a proxy for the presence of an intact T6SS in a range of C. jejuni isolates from
humans, chickens, food animals and environmental sources including non-domesticated
ones, 2) to determine the gene expression of conserved T6SS genes at different conditions,
3) strain grouping of C. jejuni harboring T6SS gene cluster.
3.3 Materials and Methods
3.3.1 Growth of Bacterial Strains and DNA Extraction
34 human diarrheal (including 14 bloody diarrheal cases), 158 chicken, 122 cattle, 32
wastewater positive C. jejuni isolates were analyzed for the screening of T6SS.
Chapter 3
69
Additionally, 20 wildlife C. jejuni isolates (2 lion, 11 duck, 4 ox and 3 black deer) from a
wildlife park in Islamabad were also included in the current study to assess whether T6SS
is associated with wildlife isolates or not. The C. jejuni strains were grown on Columbia
Blood Agar (Oxoid, Basingstoke, UK) supplemented with Campylobacter Selective
Supplement (Skirrow) (Oxoid, Basingstoke, UK) under microaerophilic conditions (6%
O2, 12% CO2) for 48 hours at 42°C. Cells were later harvested and genomic DNA
extraction was performed utilising Wizard® Genomic DNA Purification Kit (Promega,
USA, A1125). The steps of DNA extraction are described below.
One mL of an overnight culture was added to the 1.5 mL microcentrifuge tube and
centrifuged for 2 minutes at 13,000–16,000 × g to pellet down the cells. Supernatant was
removed. 600 µL of Nuclei Lysis Solution was added after removal of supernatant.
Solution was gradually pipetted till the cells were resuspended. For lysis of the cells
contents were incubated for 5 minutes at 80°C; later they were cooled at the room
temperature. 3 µL of RNase Solution was added to the cell lysate. Tubes were inverted 2
to 5 times for thorough mixing. After mixing tube was incubated for 15–60 minutes at
37°C. Sample was then cooled at the room temperature. 200 µL of protein precipitation
solution was added to the RNase-treated cell lysate. The contents were vigorously vortexed
for 20 seconds at a high speed. Sample was incubated for 5 minutes on ice. Centrifugation
was performed for 3 minutes at 13,000–16,000 × g. Supernatant containing DNA was
transferred to a clean 1.5 mL microcentrifuge tube containing 600 µL isopropanol at room
temperature. Tube was repeatedly inverted for gentle mixing till a visible mass of thread-
like strands of DNA appear. Centrifugation was performed for 2 minutes at 13,000–16,000
× g. Supernatant was poured off and the tube was drained on an absorbent paper. For
washing the DNA pellet, 600 µL of 70% ethanol at room temperature was added and tube
was gently inverted several times. Centrifugation was performed for 2 minutes at 13,000–
16,000 × g. Ethanol was cautiously aspirated. Tube was drained on an absorbent paper and
pellet was allowed to dry for 10 to15 minutes. 100 µL of DNA Rehydration Solution was
added to the tube and DNA was rehydrated by incubation for 1 hour at 65°C. The tube was
tapped gently for periodical mixing of the solution. Alternatively, DNA was rehydrated by
incubating the solution at 4°C or overnight at room temperature. DNA was stored at 2 to
Chapter 3
70
8°C. Quantification of gDNA sample was done by a Thermo Scientific NanoDrop™ 1000
Spectrophotometer.
3.3.2 Screening PCR Assay for T6SS Conserved Genes
Primers were designed to amplify C. jejuni T6SS component conserved genes icmF; Inner
membrane channel protein, vgrG; valine glycine repeats G and hcp; hemolysin
corregulated protein. Primers amplifying gltA; citrate synthase gene as an internal positive
control to check for the fidelity of PCR (Table 3.1). All primers were synthesized by
Eurofins (Anzinger, Germany). Initially, all C. jejuni isolates were screened for the
presence of hcp gene, that serves as a proxy for the existence of an intact T6SS (Harrison
et al., 2014), and gltA was used as an internal positive control. Isolates positive for hcp
gene were then assessed for the presence of genes of vgrG and icmF. PCR was carried out
in a 25 µL reaction volume with 2 µL DNA, 1X PCR buffer (Bio Labs), 200 µM of each
of the dNTPs (Invitrogen), 2.5mM of MgCl2 (Invitrogen), 0.4 µM of each of the primer,
0.25 U of Taq DNA polymerase (Bio labs), rest of the volume was made with nuclease free
water. gltA was added as internal positive control at a 0.05 µM concentration in each of the
reaction mixtures to check the fidelity of the PCR.
PCR was performed using T professional Trio Thermocycler (Biometra, Göttingen,
Germany). The cycling conditions were: 5 min at 94°C followed by 35 cycles of 1min at
94°C, 45 sec at 57°C and 1 min at 72°C followed by 5 min at 72°C. Amplified PCR
products were resolved on 1.5% agarose gel stained with SYBER Safe DNA stain. 100 bp
DNA molecular size marker (Fermentas, Lithuania, UAB) was used to determine the sizes
of the PCR products.
Chapter 3
71
Table 3.1 Primers for screening conserved T6SS genes (hcp, vgrG, icmF using gltA as
internal control).
Primers Primer Sequence (5’- 3’) Amplicon
size (bps)
Tm
(°C)
Reference
gltA F Cj 1 GCCCAAAGCCCATCAAGCGGA 142 60 Harrison
et al.,
2014
gltA F Cj 2 GCGCTTTGGGGTCATGCACA 58
vgrG F GAGCTCTAGTTTGTATAATGGGGC 834 60 This
Study vgrG R CCACCTTTAACCACAAGTCCA 60
icmF F ACCATGCCCATTCTCCTTTA 803 59 This
Study icmF R TAGAAGTGGGCAAAGGCACT 60
hcp F CAAGCGGTGCATCTACTGAA 463 60 Harrison
et al.,
2014
hcp R TAAGCTTTGCCCTCTCTCCA 60
Chapter 3
72
3.3.3 Preparation of RNA Template
C. jejuni strains harboring T6SS were grown on Columbia blood agar (Oxoid, Basingstoke,
UK) supplemented with Campylobacter selective supplement (Skirrow) (Oxoid,
Basingstoke, UK) under microaerophilic conditions (6% O2, 12% CO2) for 48 hours at
42°C. 2 X 40mL sterile Mueller hinton broth was aliquoted into 2 X 50 mL Falcon tubes.
Lids of the falcon tubes were loosen to allow the broth to equilibrate to microaerophilic
environment. Tape was placed across the lids to secure them. Tubes were placed in a rack
in microaerophilic incubator. C. jejuni culture harvested with the help of sterile cotton swab
and later resuspended in 1mL MH broth in a 1.5mL Eppendorf tube. Measurement of OD
(590 nm). The amount of resuspended bacterial growth that would be required to make a
starting culture of broth at an OD 0.1 was calculated as;
(0.1/overnight OD) x 60 = volume of resuspended bacterial growth to add to 100 mL of
MH broth
Culture plates having 2x 24 wells were taken. 1 mL of sterile MH broth from the
microaerophilic cabinet was placed in one well of each of the 24 well plates. This was the
negative control to ensure that the broth is not contaminated. 60 mL of sterile MH broth
was placed in a sterile conical flask. The calculated volume of resuspended bacterial
growth was added to the broth to constitute OD of 0.1. 1 mL of MH broth containing
bacterial culture at OD 0.1 was carefully dispensed into each of the remaining wells in the
24 well plates. To investigate the effect of growth temperature on transcription of T6SS
genes, one 24 well plate was placed in the microaerobic incubator set to 42 oC. The second
plate was placed in a microaerobic chamber in a 37 oC incubator. Both plates were left for
incubation for 16 hours, after which RNA was harvested. To investigate the effect of pH,
cells grown in MH broth at 37 °C for 16 hours were harvested and exposed to MH adjusted
to pH3 (using Hydrochloric acid) for 10 minutes, after which RNA was harvested. For
acidic stress, pH3 was chosen because pH of stomach lies around 3 and Campylobacter
spp. usually do not survive at this pH.
Chapter 3
73
3.3.4 RNA Isolation
Before starting RNA isolation, bench top, Gilsons (especially barrels) and racks were
sprayed and cleaned with RNAseZap® RNAse decontamination solution (Ambion®
AM9780). DNAse and RNAse free collection tubes and sterile filter tips were used.
RNA was isolated using FastRNA Pro Blue Kit (Qbiogene, Inc, CA). In a 50 mL sterile
tube, 20 mL of bacterial culture was placed and cells were pelleted by centrifugation for
15 minutes at 2,800 rpm (x 1,500 g) at 4 oC. Supernatant was decanted and 1 mL of the
RNAproTM Solution was added to tube. By vigorous pipetting, cells were completely
resuspended. 1 mL of resuspended cells were transferred to blue-cap tube containing
Lysing Matrix B, which is provided with the kit. Tubes were tightly closed to avert spillage.
Sample tube was processed in Precellys® bead mill homogenizer at 6500 rpm for 40
seconds. Sample tubes removed and centrifugation was performed for 5 minutes at 12,000
x g at 4 oC. Liquid was transferred to new microcentrifuge tube. Transferred sample was
incubated for 5 minutes at room temperature to increase RNA yield. 300 µL of chloroform
was added to this sample and vigorously vortexed for 10 seconds. Incubation for 5 minutes
at room temperature to increase RNA purity. Centrifugation of tubes was performed for 5
minutes at 12,000 x g at 4 oC. The upper phase was transferred to new microcentrifuge tube
without disturbing the interphase. 500 µL of 100% chilled ethanol was added to sample,
for mixing tube was inverted 5 times and stored at -20 oC for minimum time period of 30
minutes. Centrifugation was performed for 15 minutes at 12,000 x g at 4 oC and supernate
was removed. After centrifugation, a white pellet of RNA appeared. Washing of pellet was
performed with 500 µL of 75% chilled ethanol (prepared with DEPC-H2O). Ethanol was
removed, pellet was air dried at room temperature for 5 minutes followed by resuspension
in 100 µL of DEPC-H2O. The contents were incubated for 5 minutes at room temperature
to facilitate RNA resuspension. RNA concentration was measured using Thermo Scientific
NanoDrop™ 1000 Spectrophotometer. RNA solution stored at -80 oC.
3.3.5 DNase Treatment of RNA Samples Prior to RT-PCR
For the removal of any DNA template in isolated RNA solution, RQ1 RNAse-Free DNAse
(Promega, USA, M6101) was used. DNase digestion reaction was set up as follows.
Chapter 3
74
To a RNAase and DNAase free microcentrifuge tube, 7 µL of RNA solution, 1 µL of the
RQ1 RNase-Free DNase 10X Reaction Buffer, 1u/ µg RNA of the RQ1 RNase-Free DNase
and Nuclease-free water was added to make a final volume of 10 µL. The reaction mixture
was incubated at 37 oC for 30 minutes. After incubation, 1 µL of the RQ1 DNase Stop
Solution was added to stop the reaction. For inactivation of DNase, reaction was incubated
at 65 oC for 10 minutes. The treated RNA was used in performing the RT-PCR reaction.
3.3.6 RT-PCR (Reverse Transcriptase PCR) for T6SS Conserved Genes
First-strand cDNA synthesis was performed using ThermoScript™ Reverse Transcriptase
(RT) (Invitrogen). The steps are as followed.
To a nuclease free microcentrifuge tube: 1 µL of Oligo (dT)20(50 µM), 5 µL of the total
RNA, 2 µL of 10mM dNTP Mix and volume made up to 12 µL with sterile, distilled water.
The mixture was incubated at 65 oC for 5 minutes and later placed on ice. Contents of the
tube were collected by short centrifugation. It was followed by addition of 4 µL of
5XcDNA Sythesis Buffer, 1 µL of the 0.1 M DTT, 1 µL of RNaseOUTTM , 1 µL sterile,
distilled water and 1 µL ThermoscriptTM RT. Contents of the tube were gently mixed and
incubated at 50 oC for 30 to 60 minutes. The reaction was terminated by incubating at 85
oC for 5 minutes.
PCR was performed for identifying the expression of VgrG, IcmF and Hcp (gltA was used
as a positive control). PCR reaction was performed in 25 µL reaction volume containing 2
µL cDNA from first-stand reaction, 4 µL 10XPCR Buffer, 3 µL 50mM MgCl2, 0.5 µL of
10 mM dNTP Mix, 1.5 µL of each of the primer (10 µM), 0.25 µL of Taq DNA polymerase
(5U/ µL), rest of the volume made with autoclaved, distilled water. Contents were gently
mixed. A negative RT control, containing all the RT-PCR reagents except reverse
transcriptase, for each of the tested gene and a routine PCR using genomic DNA was run
in parallel. Reaction was heated at 94 oC for 2 minutes to denature. PCR was performed
using T professional Trio Thermocycler (Biometra, Göttingen, Germany). The cycling
conditions were: 5 min at 94°C followed by 35 cycles of 1min at 94°C, 45 sec at 57°C and
1 min at 72°C followed by 5 min at 72°C. Amplified PCR products were resolved on 1.5%
agarose gel stained with SYBER Safe DNA stain. 100 bp DNA molecular weight size
marker (Fermentas, Lithuania, UAB) was used to determine the sizes of the PCR products.
Chapter 3
75
3.3.7 Distribution of C. jejuni Isolates harboring T6SS in Strain Clusters
Strain clusters of T6SS-positive C. jejuni isolates were predicted by two triplex PCR mixes
as described by Stabler et al. (2013). The primers used in predictive multiplex PCR are the
same as mentioned in Table 2.1 of Chapter 2. Thermo cycling was carried out in Bio-Rad
MJ mini thermal cycler subjected to the following conditions: 5 min at 94°C followed by
35 cycles of 30 sec at 94°C, 60 sec at 56°C and 2 min at 72°C followed by 10 min at 72°C.
PCR amplicons were resolved on 1.5% agarose gel stained with SYBER Safe DNA stain.
The gels were given a run at 100V for 40 minutes. 5 µL of the PCR product with 2 µL of
6X loading gel buffer (Fermentas, Lithuania, UAB) was loaded into each well.100 bp DNA
size marker (Fermentas, Lithuania, UAB) was employed to determine sizes of the PCR
amplicons. The gels were visualized using UV transilluminator and photographed under
UV light.
3.4 Results
3.4.1 Indication of T6SS in C. jejuni Isolates from Diverse Sources
Samples positive for the presence of C. jejuni included 34 human diarrheal (including 14
bloody diarrheal cases), 158 chicken, 122 cattle, 32 wastewater and 20 wildlife samples (2
lion, 11 duck, 4 ox and 3 black deer). Isolates were confirmed as C. jejuni by biochemical
tests and PCR for MDS and hipO as described in Chapter 1. Positive C. jejuni isolates were
screened for the presence of the T6SS. Figure 3.1 (A) shows hcp detection in C. jejuni
isolates and (B) the amplicons obtained from selected genes in the T6SS cluster (hcp, icmF
and vgrG) and the amplicon obtained from the gltA housekeeping gene. The T6SS positive
strain Cj255 (Harrison et al., 2014) was utilized as the positive control in this study.
Prevalence of the T6SS marker genes in C. jejuni isolates from diverse sources was found
to be 17/366 (4.64%). None of the human isolates tested in our study were positive for the
T6SS marker genes. However, absence of T6SS does not mark the strains as non- virulent,
they are still capable of causing diarrheal disease. T6SS has only been recently identified
as possible virulence factor and has been indicated in some severe bloody diarrheal cases
(Harrison et al., 2014). Isolates harboring T6SS and their respective sources are described
Chapter 3
76
in Table 3.2. Locations of different type of C. jejuni samples collected from different
sources is shown in Figure 3.2.
A
B
Figure 3.1 (A) hcp positive C. jejuni isolates. Lane 1- 1 kb ladder, Lane 2- hcp negative
strain, Lane 3 and 4, hcp positive strains, Lane 5- hcp positive control. B) Strain 255
showing T6SS conserved genes. 1.5% agarose gel showing PCR products of conserved
genes primers of T6SS. Lane 1- 1 Kb ladder, Lane 2- gltA used as an internal positive
control, Lane 3- hcp (463 bps), Lane 4- icmF (803 bps), Lane 5- vgrG (834 bps). C. jejuni
isolates positive for hcp were further screened for the presence of vgrG and icmF.
Chapter 3
77
Table 3.2 T6SS positive C. jejuni strains. T6SS-positive isolates from cattle included one
isolate each from bovine and camel and wildlife included one isolate each from lion, ox and
duck and from.
Sources hcp vgrG icmF Number of T6SS +ve Strains
Chickens + + + 7/158 (4.43 %)
Cattle (bovine, camel) + + + 2/122 (1.64 %)
Wildlife (lion, ox, duck) + + + 3/20 (15 %)
Waste water + + + 5/32 (15.6 %)
Humans - - - 0/34 (0%)
Total 17/366 (4.64 %)
Chapter 3
78
Figure 3.2 Map showing location of C. jejuni samples collected from different sources.
Bar length represents % age isolation rate of C. jejuni from different sources. Colors of the
bars indicate risk of association of the indicated sources with T6SS. Green – no risk
(Humans); yellow- moderate risk (Poultry); blue-low risk (Cattle); red and purple- high
risk (Wastewater and Wildlife).
Chapter 3
79
3.4.2 Gene Expression of T6SS Conserved Genes
Results of RT-PCR indicated that the T6SS genes hcp, icmF and vgrG were all expressed
in cultures grown for 16 hours at 37°C or 42°C, indicating of expression at both avian gut
temperature and human body temperature. In contrast, expression of these genes could not
be detected by RT-PCR when the 37°C cultures were exposed to pH3 conditions, i.e. acidic
envrionment (Figure 3.3).
PCR bands were scanned from the gel images and intensities were measured with
GelQuant.NET. The intensity of the band was related to the level of expression of the
corresponding gene. Relative expression was calculated as the difference in the band
intensity of T6SS gene exposed at particular condition and control gene (Figure 3.4).
Highly significant differences in expression of hcp and vgrG were observed at 37°C and
42°C. While significant difference in expression of icmF were observed at 37°C and 42°C.
Chapter 3
80
Figure 3.3 RT-PCR analysis of hcp, vgrG and icmF expression in strain 255
(a) Transcription of hcp at 37°C and 42°C: lane M, 100-bp ladder; lane 1, at 37°C; lane 2,
hcp -ve RT at 37°C; lane 3, at 42°C; lane 4, hcp -ve RT at 42°C; lane 5, genomic hcp; lane
6, no template control (b) Transcription of vgrG and icmF at 37°C and 42°C: lane M, 100-
bp ladder; lane 1, vgrG at 37°C; lane 2, vgrG -ve RT at 37°C; lane 3, icmF at 37°C; lane 4,
icmF -ve RT at 37°C; lane 5, vgrG at 42°C; lane 6, vgrG -ve RT at 42°C; lane 7, icmF at
42°C; lane 8, icmF -ve RT at 42°C, lane 9, genomic vgrG; lane 10, genomic icmF; lane 11,
no template control (c) Transcription of hcp, vgrG and icmF at 37°C and after exposure to
pH3: lane M, 100-bp ladder; lane 1, vgrG; lane 2, vgrG -ve RT; lane 3, genomic vgrG; lane
4, icmF; lane 5, icmF -ve RT; lane 6, genomic icmF; lane 7, hcp; lane 8, hcp -ve RT; lane
9, genomic hcp; lane 10, no template control.
Chapter 3
81
Figure 3.4 Differential expression of T6SS conserved genes. Transcription of hcp, vgrG
and icmF was observed at 37°C, 42°C and at 37°C after exposure to pH3 by RT-PCR.
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
hcp vgr icm
Rel
ati
ve
Exp
ress
ion
T6SS Genes
37
42
pH3* ***
*** * p < 0.05
** p < 0.005
*** p < 0.0005
Chapter 3
82
3.4.3 Strain Clusters of T6SS +ve C. jejuni Isolates
T6SS +ve C. jejuni isolates were assigned to strain clusters on the basis of the absence or
presence of PCR products from DNA sequences linked with the source attribution of C.
jejuni. The results of the predictive mPCR assays are shown in Figure 3.3. C. jejuni isolates
harboring the T6SS in our study were present in C4/C6, C7/C8 and C9 strain groups (Table
3.3). The relationship of livestock and non-livestock associated strains which possessed the
T6SS is shown as a phenogram (Figure 3.6).
Figure 3.5 Multiplex PCR for Prediction of Strain Clusters. lane M, 100-bp ladder; lane
1, strain I1 (chicken); lane 2, 83 (buffalo); lane 3, 56 (camel); lane 4, 192 (wastewater);
lane 5, 77(chicken); lane 6, positive control; lane 7, no template control. (a) mPCR1
involved amplicons based on CDSs Cj1422, Cj1139 and Cj0056. (b) mPCR2 involved
amplicons based on CDSs Cj1324, Cj1720 and Cj0485. Strain C. jejuni 11168 was used as
a positive control. The presence or absence of these amplicons was used to predict the
strain cluster location of T6SS positive isolates.
Chapter 3
83
Table 3.3 Strain cluster attribution by predictive PCR. Multiplex PCR for marker CDSs
scored for presence or absence of their respective amplicons. 0 = PCR product negative, 1 = PCR
product positive, ? = with distinct PCR profile not falling in any specified predicted group.
Strains cj0056c
(415 bp)
cj0485c
(406 bp)
cj1139c
(703 bp)
cj1324
(765 bp)
cj1422
(900 bp)
cj1720
(595 bp)
Predicted
Groups
I1 (Chicken) 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
2PI(Chicken) 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
19(Chicken) 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
77(Chicken) 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
86(Chicken) 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
152(Chicken) 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
255(Chicken) 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
25 (Duck) 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
75 (Ox) 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
83(Buffalo) 1 1 0 0 0 1 C9
56(Camel) 0 1 0 0 0 0 ?
72(Lion) 0 1 0 0 0 1 C9
159
(Wastewater)
0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
192
(Wastewater)
0 1 0 0 0 0 ?
203
(Waste water)
1 1 0 0 0 0 C9
226
(Waste water)
0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
236
(Waste water)
0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
Chapter 3
84
Figure 3.6 Phenogram displaying clusters of T6SS possessing C. jejuni strains.
Phylogram generated on binary data of PCR profiles by UPGMA using Pearson coefficient
(r) with distance value (d= (1-r)*100). Red branch – livestock (chicken associated); Green
branch – wild life; Blue branch – livestock (bovine); Dashed branch –
unknown/intermediate strain group (i.e. neither in livestock nor in non-livestock identified
groups).
Chapter 3
85
3.5 Discussion
We have shown the presence of C. jejuni strains harboring T6SS marker genes from diverse
sources in Pakistan, gene expression of T6SS conserved genes and the allocation of T6SS
positive strains to appropriate clusters. Less data is available on the incidence of C. jejuni
in Pakistan and there has been a single report on C. jejuni T6SS positive strains from this
region (Harrison et al., 2014).
351 C. jejuni strains were investigated by screening PCR for the presence of hcp, icmF and
vgrG conserved genes of T6SS. Isolates from human diarrheal, chicken, cattle, wastewater
and wildlife sources from different cities of Pakistan were analyzed. The occurrence of
T6SS in our analysed C. jejuni isolates was approximately 5% which is lower than
previously reported prevalence of T6SS in C. jejuni isolates from different parts of the
world i.e., 10% (Bleumink-Pluym et al., 2013), 26.5% (Harrison et al., 2014) and 14 %
(Ugarte- Ruiz et al., 2014) .
The major reservoirs of C. jejuni are poultry, and C. jejuni isolates harboring the hcp
marker have been shown to be associated with chickens (Harrison et al., 2014). Our results
show that C. jejuni positive T6SS strains could also be isolated from bovines, camels,
ducks, wildlife (lion, ox) and from waste water. Previous reports have indicated that C.
jejuni has multiple survival strategies and can survive and multiply under diverse
environmental conditions (Moen et al., 2005; Joshua et al., 2006; Vegge et al., 2012).
In a previous report hcp is reported to be significantly associated with isolates from patients
who present with a bloody diarrhea (Harrison et al., 2014). However in our study all human
isolates, including 14 bloody diarrheal isolates, we tested were negative for the presence
of hcp, icmF, vgrG suggesting they lacked T6SS. T6SS presence was confirmed by similar
technique as followed by Harrison et al., 2014. It shows that absence of T6SS does not
mark the strains as non-virulent and they are still capable of causing diarrhea. Presence of
T6SS marks the strains as hypervirulent.
Gene expression analysis revealed that T6SS conserved genes are expressed at both human
body temperature (37°C) and avian temperature (42°C). While no expression was observed
at low pH (pH3) implying that T6SS is down regulated in an acidic environment and this
down-regulation of the T6SS may serve as a mechanism for assuring T6SS-harboring C.
jejuni survival in the gut (Lertpiriyapong et al., 2012). The optimum pH for the growth of
Chapter 3
86
Campylobacter spp. ranges from 6.5–7.5 and the pH of gastrointestinal tract ranges from
1.5-3.0 (stomach), 4.0-5.0 (duodenum), 6.5-7.5 (jejunum and ileum) and previous
observations have shown that Campylobacter spp. cannot survive usually below pH of 4.9
or above pH 9.0 (Keener et al., 2004; Curtis, 2007). Currently there is insufficient
understanding of T6SS in C. jejuni and its regulation in gut, but it can be inferred from the
existing studies that T6SS harbouring C. jejuni can possibly survive in low pH conditions
and once the pH restriction is relaxed, expression of T6SS genes is restored.
Strain cluster allocation linked with livestock or non-livestock association of isolates
harboring T6SS by multiplex PCR showed that most of them 6/17 (35.29 %) fell into
cluster C7/C8. The remainder of the strains i.e. 11/17 were equally (17.64 % in each
cluster) distributed in the C4/C6, C7/C8 and C9 clusters with the exception of one camel
and one wastewater isolate with distinct PCR profile that could not be allocated to any of
the existing strain clusters (Table 4). Groups C7/C8-C9 were originally demonstrated as
the non-livestock associated by Champion et al. (2005). It suggests that T6SS may be
involved in bacterial survival and competition in a particular environment. CDS Cj1324,
encoding WbpG (LPS biosynthesis protein) are within O-linked glycosylation locus
(Cj1293-Cj1342) (Stabler et al., 2013). Moreover the flagellin O-glycosylation locus
(Cj1321-Cj1326) serves as a indicator for the livestock (chicken)-associated strains
(Champion et al., 2005), all of the T6SS positive chicken derived isolates and two waste
water isolates were positive for the Cj1324 marker implying their predominant association
with livestock (chicken). In addition to this, previous studies have shown flagellin O-
glycosylation may serve an important role in the cell invasion and consequently for
virulence in humans (Zautner et al., 2012). Our analysis shows that although there is
association of T6SS positive strains with livestock, they can also be linked to non-
agricultural and non-domesticated sources. Further studies are required to investigate
association of T6SS possessing strains with particularly non-livestock sources. According
to Bleumink-Pluym et al. (2013), varied alignment of the T6SS genes within T6SS clusters
of diverse Campylobacter spp. may contribute in the adaptation to particular niches or
hosts. We have not analyzed in our study the arrangement of T6SS genes linked to host or
niche adaptation but we can infer from our results that T6SS positive strains can be linked
Chapter 3
87
to specific source and its adaptation to particular environment by the presence or absence
of specific coding DNA sequences which also confer their strain clusters.
Substantially our study depicts the prevalence of T6SS harboring C. jejuni strains in
livestock as well as in non-livestock sources; gene expression of conserved T6SS genes
and strain cluster attribution of these T6SS possessing strains. As this is one of the pioneer
studies on T6SS from South Asia particularly in Pakistan, the study would assist to explore
through further studies in providing insight into the understanding of survival of C. jejuni
isolates harboring T6SS and more importantly what sources can act as potential reservoir
of T6SS +ve C. jejuni strains and are of public health concern.
Conclusions
88
Conclusions
Conclusions
89
The results of the overall research of this thesis confirm that C. jejuni can survive well in
different environments including wildlife and non-livestock. Therefore, they are of public
health concern. Seasonal variation and climatic conditions may play a role in different rates
of isolation from different cities. Surveillance data from this study will be useful in
identifying risk factors that are involved in the spread of C. jejuni in Pakistan.
Antibiotic susceptibility profiling of C. jejuni isolates of this study revealed that antibiotic
resistant C. jejuni is common among poultry and cattle which can enter the food chain and
thus can pose a threat to public health. Present results emphasize the need for a surveillance
and monitoring system in developing countries like ours, for the monitoring of the spread
of antimicrobial resistance among Campylobacter jejuni in broiler, poultry and other food
animals.
Source tracking and strain clustering of C. jejuni isolates from diverse sources showed that
the recently developed predictive multiplex PCR assay can be employed to demonstrate
whether a particular clinical isolate has originated from livestock or non-livestock sources.
Current results from our region predicted that majority of clinical isolates seemed to be
from non-livestock or nonagricultural sources. Water contamination is common source for
C. jejuni. This is particularly important in case of floods when there are greater chances of
water contamination and diarrheal outbreaks.
Surveillance of T6SS in C. jejuni isolates from this study shows that although there is
association of T6SS positive strains with livestock, they can also be linked to non-
agricultural sources. Further studies are required to investigate association of T6SS
possessing strains with particularly non-livestock sources. Down-regulation of T6SS in an
acidic environment was demonstrated in this study. Results from the present study
questions the role of the T6SS in human diarrhoeal disease. Our study highlights the need
to establish the role of the T6SS in environmental survival or virulence.
Overall, C. jejuni is prevalent in developing countries like Pakistan but due to lack of
national survey programmes and national reference labs for Campylobacter spp. there is
lack of data in our country to assess and compare the severity of the problem with rest of
the world. In view of the complicated epidemiology of C, jejuni, a multifarious approach
to control is required, which takes into account the attribution of various reservoirs,
pathways, comparative exposures or risk assessment and risk factor modelling.
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116
Appendix 1
Antibiotic Resistance Profiles of C. jejuni Isolates
117
Sample
ID
Source NA CIP ERY CTX CRO CN SPC SXT C TE AMP
1-PI Poultry R S R R R I S R S I R
PI2 Poultry R S R R R I S R S S R
6-PI Poultry R S R R R I S S S R R
7-P-S Poultry R S R R R R S S S R R
8-P-I2 Poultry R S R R R R S S S R S
9-P-S2 Poultry R R R R R R S I S R S
13-P-S3 Poultry R R R R R R S S S R S
14-Fecal Poultry R R R R R R S S S R S
16-Fecal Poultry R R R R R R S S S R S
77-PI Poultry R R R R R R S S S R S
80-PS Poultry R R R R R R S S S R S
86-PF Poultry R R R R R S I R R R S
149-PI Poultry R R R S R S S R R R S
150-PS Poultry R R R S R I S R S R S
AKP-8 Poultry R R R R R I S R S R S
AKP-9 Poultry R R R R R S S R S R S
257PS Poultry R R R R R S S R S R S
153-PI Poultry R R R R R S I R S S S
154-PI Poultry R R R R R S S R S S S
232PI Poultry R R R R R S S R S S S
241PS Poultry R R R R R I S R S S R
267PI Poultry R R R R R I S R S S R
255PI Poultry R R R R R S S I S S R
AKP-12 Poultry R R R S R S S S S R I
AKP-13 Poultry R R R S R R S S S R I
AKP-10 Poultry R R R S R R S S S R I
AKP-15 Poultry R R R S R R S S S R R
AKP-16 Poultry R R R S R R S S R R R
AP3 Poultry R S R R R R S S R R R
AP4 Poultry R S R R R S S S R R R
AP5 Poultry R S R R R S I R R R R
AP6 Poultry R R R R R S S R S R R
AP7 Poultry R R R R R S S R S R R
78-PI Poultry R R R R R S S R S S I
79-PI Poultry R R R R R S R R S S I
33-PI Poultry R R R R R R S R S S I
34-PS Poultry R R R R R R S R S S I
35-PI Poultry R R R R R R S I S S I
36-PS Poultry R R R R R R S I S S R
37-PID Poultry R R R R R R S S R S R
38-PSD Poultry R R R R R R S S S S R
22-PI1 Poultry R R R R R R S S S R R
18-PI Poultry R R R R R S S S S R R
118
I1 Poultry R R R R R S S S S R R
I2 Poultry R R R R R S R S S R R
I1.1 Poultry R R R R R S S S S R R
1-27-C Poultry R R R R R R S S S R I
151-PI Poultry R R R R R R I S R R I
151-PIF Poultry R R R R R R S S S R I
152-PS Poultry R R R R R R S S S R I
242-PI Poultry R R R R R R S S S R I
243-PS Poultry R R R R R S S R S R S
246-PC Poultry R R R R R S S R S R S
256-PI Poultry R R R R R S S R R R R
258-PI Poultry R R R R R S S R S R R
259-P Poultry R R R R R S S R S I R
260-P Poultry R R R R R I S R S I R
261-P Poultry R R R R R I S R S I R
262-P Poultry R R R R R S S S S I R
263-PI Poultry R R R R R S S S R I R
264-P Poultry R S R R R R S S S I R
265-P Poultry R S R R R R I S S R S
266-P Poultry R S R R R R S S S R S
268-P Poultry R S R R R R S S S R S
AP8 Poultry R R R S R R S S S R S
AKP-1 Poultry R R R S R S S I S R R
AKP-2 Poultry R R R S R S S R S R R
AKP-7 Poultry R R R S R S S S S R R
AKP-11 Poultry R R R S R R S R R R R
AKP-14 Poultry R R R S R R S R S R R
LP 3 Poultry R R R R R R S S S R R
LP4 Poultry R R R R R R S I S S R
LP6 Poultry R R R R R R I I S S I
LP8 Poultry R R R R R R S R R S I
LP11 Poultry R R R R R S S R S S I
LP34 Poultry R R R R R S S S S S R
LP9 Poultry R R R R R I S S S S R
LP27 Poultry R R R R R S R S S S R
LP30 Poultry R R R R R S S R S S R
LP21 Poultry R I R R R R S R S R R
LP26 Poultry R I R S R R I R S R R
LP25 Poultry R I R S R S S S S R R
P3 Poultry R I R R R I S I S R R
P1 Poultry R I R R R S S R R R S
P9 Poultry R I R R R R S S S R S
P5 Poultry R R R R R R S S S R R
P7 Poultry R R R R R R S S R R R
P12 Poultry R R R R R R I S R R R
119
P30 Poultry R R R R R R S S R R R
LH9 Human R R R R R S S R S R S
PH21 Human R I R R I I S R I R R 279-HF-
W Human I S R I R S S S S I S
AKH-11 Human R S R R R S S R S R I
AKH15 Human R R R R R I S R S R S AKRH-
31 Human R S I R R R S R I R S
AKRH-
33 Human R I R R I R S S S R S
LH5 Human R S R R R S S R S R S
296-HF Human R R R I R R S R S I R
N8 Human R S I R R I S R S R S
712 Human R I S S I S S S S S S
LH3 Human R R I R R I R S S R S
I1b Poultry R S R R R S S R S R R
I2b Poultry R S R R R S S R R R R
I3 Poultry R S R R R I S R S R R
I4 Poultry R S R R R S S R S R R
I5 Poultry R S R R R S S R S R R
I6 Poultry R R R R R R S R S R R
I7 Poultry R R R R R R S R S R R
I8 Poultry R R R R R R S R R R R
I9 Poultry R R R R R S S R S R R
I10 Poultry R R R R R S S R S R R
I11 Poultry R R R R R S S R S S R
112 Poultry R R R R R S S R S S R
I13 Poultry R R R R R S S R R S R
I14 Poultry R I R R R S R R S S R
I15 Poultry R I R R R S S R S S R
I16 Poultry R I R R R S S R S S R
I17 Poultry R I R R R S S R R I R
I18 Poultry R R R R R S S R S I S
I19 Poultry R R R R R I S R S I S
I20 Poultry R R R R R S S R S I S
I21 Poultry R R R R R S S R S I S
I22 Poultry R R R R R R R R R I S
I23 Poultry R R R R R R S R S I R
I24 Poultry R R R R R S S R S R R
I25 Poultry R R R R R S S R S R R
I26 Poultry R I R R R S S R S R R
I27 Poultry R I R R R S S R S R R
I28 Poultry R I R R R S S R R R R
I29 Poultry R I R R R S S R S R R
120
I30 Poultry R I R R R S S S S R R
I31 Poultry R I R R R S S R S R R
I32 Poultry R I R R R S R R S R R
AKP-3 Poultry R S R R R S S R S R R
AKP-4 Poultry R S R R R I S R S R R
AKP-5 Poultry R S R R R I S R S I R
LP-1 Poultry R S R R R S S R S I S
LP-2 Poultry R S R R R S S R S I S
LP-5 Poultry R S R R R S S R R R R
LP-7 Poultry R S R R R S S R S R R
LP-10 Poultry R S R R R S S R S R R
LP-22 Poultry R I R R R S S R S R R
LP-23 Poultry R I R R R S S R S R R
LP-24 Poultry R I R R R S S R R R R
LP-28 Poultry R I R R R S S R S R R
LP-29 Poultry R I R R R S S R S I R
LP-31 Poultry R I R R R S S R S I R
LP-32 Poultry R I R R R S R R S I S
LP-33 Poultry R I R R R S S R S I S
P-2 Poultry R S R R R S S R S I S
P-4 Poultry R S R R R S S R S R S
P-6 Poultry R S R R R S S R S R S
P6b Poultry R S R R R S S R S R R
P-8 Poultry R S R R R S S R S I S
P-10 Poultry R I R R R S S R S I S
P-11 Poultry R I R R R S S R S I S
P-13 Poultry R I R R R S S R S I S
P-14 Poultry R I R R R S R R S I S
P-15 Poultry R I R R R S S R S I S
P-16 Poultry R I R R R S S R S I S
GP-1 Poultry R S R R R S S R S S S
GP-2 Poultry R S R R R S S R S S S
GP-3 Poultry R R R R R I S S S S S
GP-4 Poultry R I R R R S S R S I S
GP-5 Poultry R I R R R S S S S I S
CH1 Humans R S R R R R S R S R S
CH2 Humans R R R R R S S I S S R
CH3 Humans R I I R R R S R R S S
CH4 Humans R S R R R I R S R R R
CH5 Humans R S R R I R S R S R S
CH6 Humans R S R R R R I R S R S
CH7 Humans R R R R R I S I S R S
CH8 Humans R S R I I R S R S R R
CH9 Humans R S R R R R S R S R S
HFH1 Humans R I I R R S S R R R S
121
HFH2 Humans R S R R R R S R S R R
HFH3 Humans R S R R R R S R R R S AKRH2
9 Humans R S S R R I R R I R S
AKRH2
5 Humans R R I R R R S S S R I
LH1 Humans R S R I R S S R S S S
LH2 Humans R R R R R R S R S R R
LH4 Humans R S R R R R S R R R S
LH6 Humans R S R R R R I R R R R
LH7 Humans R S R I R S S R S R R
LH8 Humans R S R R R R S R I R S
LH11 Humans R I R R R R R R S R R
PH1 Humans R S R I R S S R S S S
PH2 Humans R S R R R R S R R R R
PH3 Humans R S R R R R S R S R S
PH4 Humans R I R I R R S R R S S
702 Humans R R R S R S R R S R R
714 Humans R S R R R S S I R R S
701 Humans R S R R R R S R R S S
5R 5M Bovine R R R S R S S I S R S
6D Cow R I R R R R R S S I I
9B 9M Bovine R I R R I S S S S S R
12B Bovine S I
R S R R R R S R S
10B Bovine R I
R R R S S R S S R
DO1 Cow R I R R I R S S S S S
21H1 Bovine I I R S R I S I S R S
BF1 Bovine S R R R R S S S S S R
BF2 24 Bovine R I S R I I S S S R I
297-CF Camel R I R R R S S R S R S
301-CF Camel R I R S R R S R S I I
39B Bovine R I S R R S S S S R I
46B Bovine R I R R R I S R S R S
53-31C Camel I I R R R S R S S I S
54-24C Camel I I R S R S R R S S R
55-23C Camel R I S R R I R R S R R
56-61C Camel R I R R R S R S S R R
59-34C Camel R R R R R R S R S S S
60-0CF Camel I I R S R I S S S I S
83-BM Bovine S I R R I S S S S R S
84-FM Cow R I R R R R S R S I R
122
247 Cow R I R R R S S R S I S
248 Cow I I R S R S R R S I S
249 Cow R I R R R S S S S I R
250 Cow R I R R R S S R S S S
270-BF Bovine S I R R R I R S S S S
271-BF Bovine I I R R R I S R S I R
297-CF Camel R R S S R S S S S R S
301-CF Camel S I R R R S R S S R S
AC1 Camel R S R S R S S R S S S
AC2 Camel R S R R R S S I S S S
AC5 Camel R S R S I I R S S S I
AC6 Camel I S R S R R R R S I R
AC11 Camel S S R S R S R R S S S
AC17 Camel R S R R R S R S S R R
AC18 Camel R S R R R S S R S I R
AC20 Camel R R R R R I S R S R R
ACH-21 Camel R S S R R S R S S I S
ACH-23 Camel S S R R I S R R S S S
ACH-25 Camel S S R R I I R S S R R
ACH-27 Camel R S R R R S S R S S S
ACH-28 Camel R S R S I R S S S R I
AKC-1 Camel R S R R R I R R S S S
AHB-3 Bovine R S R R I S S S S S S
AKC-3 Camel S S R S R I R R S I R
AKC-4 Camel R R R R R S S S S I R
AKC-5 Camel I S I S I S S R S R S
AKC-8 Camel R S R R I S S R S S S
AKC-9 Camel S S S S I R R R S S S
AKC-21 Camel R S R R I I R R S R R
AKC-23 Camel R S R R R S S R S S S
AKB-5 Bovine S S R S I S R R S I S
AKC-15 Camel R S R R R S S I S S S
AKCo-6 Cow R S I S I S R S S S I
AKCo-8 Cow R R R R R I S R S I R AKCo-
11 Cow R S S R I R S S S S S
AKB-10 Bovine S S I R I S R R S S S
LC1 Camel R S R R R S S R S R R
LC3 Camel I I I R R S S R S I S
LC5 Camel R S R S I I R R S R R
LC6 Camel S I I R R R S S S I R
LC7 Camel R R R R I I R R S I S
LC9 Camel I I S R I S R S S I S
LC15 Camel S S I S R S S R S R S
123
LC17 Camel R I I R I R R S S S R
LC21 Camel R S I R R S S S S S I
LC27 Camel I I R R R S R R S S R
LC29 Camel R R I S I R S R S R R
LCo1 Cow R I S R R I S S S S R
LCo3 Cow R S I R I S R I S I R
LCo7 Cow R I R R I S S S S I S
LCo9 Cow R I I S I R R R S R S
LCo11 Cow S S I R R I S R S S S
LCo13 Cow R I R R I S R R S R S
LCo21 Cow R S I R I R S S S S R
LCo17 Cow I R S S R R S R S S R
LCo19 Cow R I R R I I R S S I S
LCo23 Cow R I I R R S S R S I S
LB1 Bovine R S R S R S R R S R R
LB2 Bovine I S R R I S S R S S R
LB5 Bovine R I I R I R R S S R S
LB7 Bovine R S R R R R S R S I S
LB9 Bovine R R S R R S R S S S R
LB11 Bovine R S R R I I S I S I S
LB14 Bovine S I I R R S S S S I S
LB15 Bovine R S R R R R R R S S R
LB17 Bovine I I R R I S R R S R R
LB19 Bovine R S I R I I R S S R R
LB21 Bovine R I R S R S R R S I S
LB23 Bovine R S R R R R R R S S I
LB24 Bovine R R S R I S R S R R
LB25 Bovine R I I R I I R I S S S
LB27 Bovine R S R R R R S R S S S
PC3 Camel R S I R R R S R S S S
PC5 Camel R S R R R S S R S I S
PC6 Camel S I R S R I R R S I R
PC7 Camel R S R R I S S R S R R
PC8 Camel I R S R I R S R S S R
PCo2 Cow R S I S R I S I S R R
PCo4 Cow R I I R R S R R S S S
PCo7 Cow I S R R R I S R S I S
124
PCo9 Cow R S R R I S S R S S S
PCo11 Cow R I R S I S S R S I R
PCo13 Cow R S R R R R R R S R R
PCo15 Cow R S S R R S S I S S I
PCo17 Cow I S R R I S S R S S S
PCo18 Cow R S I R R I S R S S R
PCo20 Cow R I R R R S S R S R R
PCo25 Cow R S R R I S R I S I S
PB2 Bovine R S R R R R S S S R R
PB4 Bovine R I S R R S R R S S I
PB6 Bovine S S R R I I S R S S I
PB7 Bovine R S R R R R R R S R R
PB8 Bovine I I I R R R S R S I R
PB9 Bovine R S R S R S S R S S S
PB10 Bovine R S S R I S S I S R S
PB19 Bovine R I R R R I S R S I R
PB23 Bovine R S R R I S R R S I S
GCo5 Cow S S S S I R S S S S R
GCo9 Cow R I R S I I S I S R R
GCo10 Cow S S R S I I S S S S I
GCo13 Cow I S S R I R S S S S S
GCo19 Cow R I I R I R R R S I S
181 Wastewater R I R R R S R R S R R
188 Wastewater R R R S R S R R S S I
192 Wastewater R I R R R S S R R R S
196 Wastewater R I I R R R S R S I S
203 Wastewater R I R R R S R R S S R
226 Wastewater R R R R R S S R S I S
229 Wastewater R R R R R I S R R R S
230 Wastewater R R I S R S S R R S S
236 Wastewater R R R R R I R R R S R
239 Wastewater R I R S R I R R R R I
285 Wastewater R I R R R I S R S R S
290 Wastewater R I R R R I R R S R R
292 Wastewater R R R R R R R R S R S
286 Wastewater R R R R R S R R S I R
289 Wastewater R I R R R S S R R R S
291 Wastewater R R R S R I S R S R I
LW6 Wastewater R I R R R I S R R R R
LW9 Wastewater R R I R R S S R R S S
125
LW11 Wastewater R I R S R I S R S R S
LW19 Wastewater R I R R R R S R S I S
LW21 Wastewater R R R S R S R R R I I
LW30 Wastewater R I I R R I S R S R S
159 Wastewater R I R R R R R R S R R
PW3 Wastewater R R R R R S S R S R S
PW8 Wastewater R I R R R I R R R R S
PW9 Wastewater R I R R R I S R R S I
PW11 Wastewater R I R R R R S R S R S
PW13 Wastewater R R I S R R S R S R R
PW2 Wastewater R I R R R S R R R R R
GW4 Wastewater R I I R R I S R S I I
GW9 Wastewater R R I R R R R R S I S
GW6 Wastewater R I R R R S S R R S S
LP9 Poultry R I R R R S S R S I S
LP12 Poultry R I R R R S S R S I S
LP19 Poultry R I R R R S S R S I S
Abbreviations: I, intermediate; R, resistant; S, sensitive; nalidixic acid (NA); ciprofloxacin (CIP);
erythromycin (ERY); cefotaxime (CTX); ceftriaxone (CRO); gentamicin (CN); spectinomicin
(SPC); sulphmethoxazole+trimethopterim (SXT); chloramphenicol (C); tetracycline (TE);
ampicillin (AMP)
126
Appendix 2
Multiantibiotic Resistance Profiles of C. jejuni Isolates
127
Number of Antibiotics Patterns of Antibiotic
Resistance Profiles
No. of Isolates Total No. (%)
Three antibiotics ERY, CTX, TE
ERY, CRO, TE
NA, ERY, SPC
NA, ERY, CTX
CN, SPC, SXT
ERY, SPC, SXT
NA, CTX, CN
CTX, SPC, SXT
CTX, CRO, SXT
CRO, SXT, TE
NA, CTX, CRO
ERY, CTX, SXT
2
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
2
18 (6.42)
Four antibiotics NA, ERY, CRO, SXT
NA, ERY, CTX, AMP
NA, ERY, CTX, CN
ERY, CRO, SPC, SXT
ERY, CTX, CRO, SPC
NA, CIP, CRO, TE
NA, ERY, CTX, CRO
ERY, CTX, SPC, SXT
NA, ERY, CTX, SXT
NA, ERY, CTX, CRO
CTX, CRO, CN, AMP
NA, CTX, CN, AMP
ERY, CTX, SXT, AMP
NA, CRO, TE, AMP
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
2
2
1
2
1
1
1
26 (9.28)
128
ERY, CTX, CRO, SXT
NA, ERY, CTX, SPC
NA, ERY, TE, AMP
NA, CTX, CRO, SXT
1
1
1
1
Five antibiotics NA, CIP, ERY, CRO, TE
NA, ERY, CRO, TE, AMP
NA, ERY, CTX, CN,TE
NA, CTX, CRO, SXT, TE
NA, ERY, CTX, CRO, SXT
NA, CTX, CN, SPC, SXT
NA, ERY, CRO, SPC, SXT
ERY, CRO, SPC, SXT,AMP
CIP, CTX, CN, SXT, AMP
NA, CIP, ERY, CRO, TE
CIP, ERY, CTX, CRO, AMP
NA, ERY, CRO, CN, SXT
ERY, CTX, CRO, SPC, TE
ERY, CTX, SPC, TE, AMP
NA, CN, SPC, SXT, TE
1
1
1
2
21
1
3
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
40 (14.28)
Six antibiotics NA, ERY, CTX, CRO, SXT,
AMP
NA, ERY, CTX, CRO, SXT,
C
NA, ERY, CTX, CRO, CN,
TE
NA, CIP, ERY, CRO, SXT,
TE
NA, CIP, ERY, CTX, CRO,
SXT, TE
NA, CIP, ERY, CTX, CRO,
SXT
NA, CIP, ERY, CTX, CRO,
17
3
5
2
6
5
70 (25)
129
AMP
NA, CIP, ERY, CRO, CN,
TE
NA, CIP, ERY, CTX, CRO,
SXT
NA, CIP, ERY, CTX, CRO,
CN
NA, CIP, ERY, CTX,
CRO,TE
NA, ERY, CTX, CRO, TE,
AMP
NA, ERY, CTX, CRO, SXT,
TE
NA, CTX, CRO, CN, SXT,
TE
NA, CIP, CTX, CRO, SPC,
TE
NA, ERY, CTX, CRO, SPC,
SXT
NA, ERY, CTX, CRO, SXT,
TE
5
3
2
2
3
2
4
2
1
3
5
Seven antibiotics NA, ERY, CTX, CRO, SXT,
TE, AMP
NA, ERY, CTX, CRO, CN,
TE, AMP
NA, CIP, ERY, CTX, CRO,
CN, TE
NA, CIP, ERY, CRO, SXT,
C, TE
NA, CIP, ERY, CTX, CRO,
SXT, AMP
NA, CIP, ERY, CRO, CN,
TE, AMP
NA, ERY, CTX, CRO, C,
TE, AMP
NA, CIP, ERY, CTX, CRO,
33
6
10
2
7
1
1
87 (31.07)
130
SPC, SXT
NA, CIP, ERY, CTX, CRO,
CN, SXT
NA, CIP, ERY, CTX, CRO,
CN, AMP
NA, CIP, ERY, CTX, CRO,
C, AMP
NA, CIP, ERY, CRO, SXT,
TE, AMP
NA, CIP, ERY, CTX, CRO,
SPC, AMP
NA, ERY, CTX, CRO, SXT,
C, TE
NA, CIP, ERY, CRO, CN,
SXT, AMP
NA, ERY, CTX, CRO, PC,
SXT, AMP
NA, ERY, CTX, CRO, SXT,
C, AMP
NA, ERY, CTX, CRO, SXT,
TE, AMP
2
2
3
1
1
1
3
1
2
1
10
Eight antibiotics NA, CIP, ERY, CTX, CRO,
SXT, C, TE
NA, ERY,CTX, CRO, CN,
C, TE, AMP
NA, ERY, CTX, CRO, SXT,
C, TE, AMP
NA, CIP, ERY, CTX, CRO,
SXT, TE, AMP
NA, CIP, ERY, CTX, CRO,
CN, C, AMP
NA, CIP, ERY, CTX, CRO,
CN, TE, AMP
NA, CIP, ERY, CTX, CRO,
2
1
5
8
1
2
1
31 (11.07)
131
CN, C, TE
NA, CIP, ERY, CTX, CRO,
CN, SXT, C
NA, ERY, CTX, CRO, CN,
SXT, TE, AMP
NA, CIP, ERY, CTX, CRO,
SXT, C, AMP
NA, CIP, ERY, CTX, CRO,
CN, SXT, AMP
NA, ERY, CTX, CRO, SXT,
C, TE, AMP
NA, ERY, CTX, CRO, SPC,
SXT, TE, AMP
1
2
1
1
3
3
Nine antibiotics NA, CIP, ERY, CTX, CRO,
SXT, C, TE, AMP
NA, CIP, ERY, CTX, CRO,
CN, C, TE, AMP
NA, CIP, ERY, CTX, CRO,
CN, SXT, TE, AMP
NA, CIP, ERY, CTX, CRO,
CN, SPC, SXT, C
1
3
2
1
7 (2.5)
Ten antibiotics NA, CIP, ERY, CTX, CRO,
CN, SPC, SXT, C, TE, AMP
1 1 (0.35)
Abbreviations: nalidixic acid (NA); ciprofloxacin (CIP); erythromycin (ERY); cefotaxime
(CTX); ceftriaxone (CRO); gentamicin (CN); spectinomicin (SPC);
sulphmethoxazole+trimethopterim (SXT); chloramphenicol (C); tetracycline (TE); ampicillin
(AMP)
132
Appendix 3
PCR Profiles of C. jejuni Isolates for Prediction of Strain Clusters
133
Sr.
no.
C. jejuni
Isolate
ID
Cj0056c
(415 bp)
Cj0485c
(405 bp)
Cj1139c
(703 bp)
Cj1324
(765 bp)
Cj1422c
(900 bp)
Cj1720
(595 bp)
Predicted
Group
1 IP1 1 1 0 1 0 1
C4/C6
2 PI2 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
3 6PI 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
4 7PS 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
5 8PI2 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
6 9PS2 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
7 13PS3 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
8 14F 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
9 16F 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
10 77PI 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
11 18PS 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
12 80PF 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
13 149PI 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
14 150PS 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
15 37PID 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
16 38PSD 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
17 22PI1 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
18 18PI 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
19 I1 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
20 I2 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
21 264P 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
22 265P 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
23 266P 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
24 268P 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
25 AP8 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
26 AKP1 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
27 AKP2 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
28 AKP7 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
29 AKP11 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
30 AKP14 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
31 LP3 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
32 LP4 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
33 LP6 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
34 LP8 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
35 P1 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
36 P3 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
37 P5 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
38 P7 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
39 P9 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
40 279HFW 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
134
41 AKH11 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
42 I3 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
43 I4 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
44 I5 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
45 I6 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
46 I7 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
47 I8 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
48 I9 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
49 I10 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
50 I11 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
51 I12 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
52 I13 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
53 I14 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
54 I15 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
55 I16 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
56 I17 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
57 LP22 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
58 LP23 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
59 LP24 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
60 LP28 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
61 LP29 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
62 LP31 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
63 P4 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
64 P6 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
65 P6B 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
66 P8 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
67 P10 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
68 GP1 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
69 GP2 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
70 CH4 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
71 CH5 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
72 HFH3 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
73 AKRH29 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
74 LH2 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
75 LH4 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
76 712H 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
77 249C 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
78 250C 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
79 AC11 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
80 AC17 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
81 AC18 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
82 AC20 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
83 ACH21 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
84 AKB10 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
85 LC1 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
135
86 LC3 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
87 LC5 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
88 LC6 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
89 LC7 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
90 LC9 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
91 LC11 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
92 LC17 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
93 LC21 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
94 LC27 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
95 LC29 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
96 PCO2 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
97 PCO4 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
98 PCO7 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
99 PCO9 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
100 PCO13 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
101 PCO15 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
102 PCO17 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
103 PCO18 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
104 PCO20 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
105 PCO25 1 1 0 1 0 1 C4/C6
106 AKP8 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
107 AKP9 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
108 257PS 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
109 153PI 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
110 154PI 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
111 LP1 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
112 LP2 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
113 LP5 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
114 LP7 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
115 LP10 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
116 232PI 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
117 241PS 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
118 267PI 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
119 255PI 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
120 AKP10 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
121 AKP12 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
122 AKP13 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
123 AKP15 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
124 AKP16 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
125 AP3 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
126 AP4 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
127 AP5 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
128 AP6 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
129 AP7 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
130 I1.01 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
136
131 1-27-C 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
132 LP11 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
133 LP34 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
134 LP9 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
135 LP27 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
136 LP30 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
137 P12 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
138 P30 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
139 LH9 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
140 PH21 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
141 AKH15 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
142 I20 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
143 I21 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
144 I22 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
145 I23 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
146 I24 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
147 I25 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
148 I26 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
149 I27 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
150 I28 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
151 I29 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
152 I30 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
153 LP32 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
154 LP33 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
155 P2 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
156 GP3 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
157 CH6 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
158 CH7 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
159 HFH1 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
160 HFH2 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
161 AKRH25 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
162 LH1 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
163 270-BF 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
164 271-BF 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
165 LCO1 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
166 LCO3 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
167 LCO7 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
168 LCO9 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
169 I19 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
170 LCO11 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
171 GCO5 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
172 GC09 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
173 GCO10 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
174 LB19 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
175 LB21 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
137
176 P11 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
177 LB23 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
178 LB24 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
179 LB25 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
180 LB27 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
181 PC8 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
182 159W 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
183 236W 0 1 0 1 0 1 C7/C8
184 78PI 1 1 1 1 0 1 C5
185 79PI 1 1 1 1 0 1 C5
186 33PI 1 1 1 1 0 1 C5
187 34PS 1 1 1 1 0 1 C5
188 AC2 1 1 1 1 0 1 C5
189 36PS 1 1 1 1 0 1 C5
190 LP21 1 1 1 1 0 1 C5
191 LP25 1 1 1 1 0 1 C5
192 LP26 1 1 1 1 0 1 C5
193 117P 1 1 1 1 0 1 C5
194 118P 1 1 1 1 0 1 C5
195 119P 1 1 1 1 0 1 C5
196 120P 1 1 1 1 0 1 C5
197 247C 1 1 1 1 0 1 C5
198 248C 1 1 1 1 0 1 C5
199 151PI 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
200 151PIF 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
201 152PS 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
202 242PI 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
203 243PS 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
204 246PC 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
205 256PI 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
206 259P 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
207 260P 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
208 P13 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
209 261P 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
210 262P 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
211 263PI 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
212 LH8 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
213 LH11 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
214 PH1 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
215 PH2 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
216 5R5M 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
217 6D 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
218 9B9M 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
219 10B 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
220 12B 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
138
221 DO1 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
222 ACH23 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
223 ACH25 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
224 I18 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
225 ACH27 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
226 ACH28 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
227 AHB3 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
228 LCO13 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
229 LCO17 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
230 LCO21 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
231 LCO19 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
232 LCO23 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
233 LB1 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
234 LB2 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
235 LB5 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
236 LB7 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
237 LB9 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
238 LB11 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
239 LB14 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
240 LB15 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
241 LB17 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
242 226W 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
243 286W 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
244 LW6 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
245 GW4 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
246 GW6 0 1 0 0 0 1 C7/C8
247 701W 0 0 0 0 0 1 C9
248 I31 0 0 0 0 0 1 C9
249 I32 0 0 0 0 0 1 C9
250 714H 0 0 0 0 0 1 C9
251 AKP3 0 0 0 0 0 1 C9
252 AKP4 0 0 0 0 0 1 C9
253 AKP5 0 0 0 0 0 1 C9
254 AC1 0 0 0 0 0 1 C9
255 P15 0 0 0 0 0 1 C9
256 P16 0 0 0 0 0 1 C9
257 CH8 0 0 0 0 0 1 C9
258 CH9 0 0 0 0 0 1 C9
259 LH6 0 0 0 0 0 1 C9
260 LH7 0 0 0 0 0 1 C9
261 702H 0 0 0 0 0 1 C9
262 PCO11 0 0 0 0 0 1 C9
263 180W 0 0 0 0 0 1 C9
264 188W 0 0 0 0 0 1 C9
265 285W 0 0 0 0 0 1 C9
139
266 12B 0 0 0 0 0 1 C9
267 LP9 0 0 0 0 0 1 C9
268 LW30 0 0 0 0 0 1 C9
269 290W 0 0 0 0 0 1 C9
270 PW11 0 0 0 0 0 1 C9
271 PW13 0 0 0 0 0 1 C9
272 PH3 0 0 0 0 0 1 C9
273 LW9 0 0 0 0 0 1 C9
274 I1B 1 0 0 1 0 1 C9
275 I2B 1 0 0 1 0 1 C9
276 LH3 1 0 0 1 0 1 C9
277 LH5 1 0 0 1 0 1 C9
278 296HF 1 0 0 1 0 1 C9
279 N8 1 0 0 1 0 1 C9
280 AC5 1 0 0 1 0 1 C9
281 AC6 1 0 0 1 0 1 C9
282 292W 1 0 0 1 0 1 C9
283 196W 1 0 0 1 0 1 C9
284 LP12 1 0 0 1 0 1 C9
285 LP19 1 0 0 1 0 1 C9
286 229W 1 0 0 1 0 1 C9
287 230W 1 0 0 1 0 1 C9
288 258PI 1 0 0 0 0 1 C9
289 P14 1 0 0 0 0 1 C9
290 AKH31 1 0 0 0 0 1 C9
291 AKH33 1 0 0 0 0 1 C9
292 289W 1 0 0 0 0 1 C9
293 GP4 1 0 0 0 0 1 C9
294 GP5 1 0 0 0 0 1 C9
295 291W 1 0 0 0 0 1 C9
296 LW11 1 0 0 0 0 1 C9
297 LW19 1 0 0 0 0 1 C9
298 LW21 1 0 0 0 0 1 C9
299 CH1 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
300 CH2 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
301 CH3 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
302 297-CF 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
303 301-CF 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
304 PH4 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
305 AKC21 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
306 AKC23 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
307 AKB5 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
308 AKC15 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
309 AKCO6 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
310 AKCO8 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
140
311 AKCO11 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
312 PC3 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
313 PC5 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
314 PC6 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
315 PC7 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
316 21H1 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
317 10B 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
318 BF1 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
319 BF2 24 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
320 39B 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
321 46B 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
322 53-31C 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
323 54-24C 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
324 55-23C 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
325 56-61 C 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
326 60-0CF 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
327 83-BM 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
328 84-FM 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
329 PB2 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
330 PB4 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
331 PB6 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
332 PB7 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
333 PB8 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
334 PB9 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
335 PB10 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
336 PB19 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
337 PB23 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
338 GCO13 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
339 GCO19 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
340 203W 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
341 239W 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
342 PW3 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
343 PW8 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
344 PW9 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
345 PW2 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
346 GW9 1 1 0 0 0 0 C4/C6
347 192W 0 1 0 0 0 0 ?
348 56C 0 1 0 0 0 0 ?
349 35P 0 1 0 0 0 0 ?
350 55C 0 1 0 0 0 0 ?
351 181W 0 1 0 0 0 0 ?
0 = PCR product negative, 1 = PCR product positive, ? = with distinct PCR profile not
falling in any specified predicted group.
141
Publications
1) Identification of Possible Virulence Marker from Campylobacter jejuni Isolates.
James W. Harrison, Tran Thi Ngoc Dung, Fariha Siddiqui, Sunee Korbrisate,
Habib Bukhari, My Phan Vu Tra, Nguyen Van Minh Hoang, Juan Carrique-Mas,
Juliet Bryant, James I. Campbell, David J. Studholme, Brendan W. Wren, Stephen
Baker, Richard W. Titball, and Olivia L. Champion. Emerging Infectious
Diseases Vol. 20, No. 6, June 2014. (Impact Factor 6.751)
2) Antibiotic Susceptibility Profiling and Virulence Potential of Campylobacter
jejuni Isolates from Different Sources in Pakistan. Fariha Masood Siddiqui,
Muhammad Akram, Nighat Noureen, Zobia Noreen, Habib Bokhari. (Accepted –
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine Vol. 8, No. 3, March 2015 (Impact
Factor 1.062)
3) Molecular Detection Identified a Type Six Secretion System in Campylobacter
jejuni from Various Sources but not from Human Cases. Fariha Siddiqui, Olivia
Champion, Muhammad Akram, David Studholme, Brendan W. Wren, Richard
Titball, Habib Bokhari. Journal of Applied Microbiology Vol. 118, No. 5, May
2015 (Impact Factor 2.479)
4) Draft Genome Sequence of the Enteropathogenic Bacterium Campylobacter
jejuni Strain cj255. Fariha Masood Siddiqui, Muhammad Ibrahim, Nighat
Noureen, Zobia Noreen, Richard W. Titball, Olivia L. Champion, Brendan W.
Wren, David Studholme, Habib Bokhari. Genome Announcments Vol. 3, No. 5,
September/October 2015
5) Antibiotic Susceptibility and Molecular Characterization of Campylobacter jejuni
Strain Isolated from a Guillain Barre Syndrome Child. Zobia Noreen, Mohammad
Abrar, Fariha Siddiqui, Rani Faryal, Haroon Hamid, Habib Bokhari. Indian
Journal of Pediatrics DOI: 10.1007/s12098-015-1923-z (Impact Factor 0.867)
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