Prevalence of campylobacter species in mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

Abstract

Campylobacter species cause Campylobacteriosis which is an important zoonotic bacterial disease that affects both humans and animals and poses a potential threat to endangered wildlife populations. Mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) inhabiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are increasingly exposed to human activities through ecotourism, research and interaction with surrounding communities creating opportunities for pathogen transmission. However contemporary information on the prevalence of Campylobacteriosis in mountain gorillas has remained limited with most available studies conducted more than two decades ago. This study aimed to determine the current prevalence of Campylobacter species infection in habituated mountain gorillas in BINP and identify the Campylobacter species isolated from infected gorillas together with their antimicrobial susceptibility. A cross-sectional study was conducted between April and June 2026 across the four sectors (Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo) of BINP. Fresh fecal samples were collected from night nests of habituated mountain gorillas and analyzed using standard Campylobacter isolation and identification, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and antimicrobial susceptibility testing following Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Out of the 99 gorilla fecal samples analysed, three (3) tested positive for Campylobacter species giving an overall prevalence of 3.03%. The highest occurrence was observed among juveniles (8.3%), followed by subadults (7.1%) and adult females (2.7%). Two Campylobacter species were identified; C. jejuni (n=2) and C. coli (n=1). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed that C. jejuni was resistant to erythromycin but susceptible to tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin and ampicillin while C. coli was susceptible to all the antibiotics tested. The findings indicate that although the prevalence of Campylobacteriosis among habituated mountain gorillas in Bwindi is currently low compared with previous reports, Campylobacter species continue to circulate within the population. The detection of erythromycin-resistant C. jejuni highlights the importance of continuous antimicrobial surveillance and strengthened one health approaches involving wildlife, humans, livestock and the forest to safeguard mountain gorilla conservation and public health.