Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of campylobacter isolated from slaughtered pigs at Wambizzi abattoir Kampala

Abstract

Campylobacter spp. are major causes of foodborne illnesses globally, with pigs acting as asymptomatic carriers. Contamination during slaughter can pose significant public health risks. This study investigated the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter spp. in pigs slaughtered at Wambizzi abattoir, Kampala. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Wambizzi abattoir, where 149 cecal samples were aseptically collected from pigs post-slaughter. Samples were enriched in Bolton broth and cultured on modified Charcoal Cefoperazone Deoxycholate Agar under microaerophilic conditions. Identification was done using Gram staining, biochemical tests, and PCR. Confirmed isolates underwent antimicrobial susceptibility testing using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23, with logistic regression to explore associations between pig origin and Campylobacter prevalence. Of the 149 samples, 35 (23.5%) were positive for Campylobacter spp. Prevalence varied by district, with the highest observed in pigs from Lira (40%) and Masaka (33.3%), and the lowest from Nakasongola (2%). Antimicrobial resistance was highest to tetracycline (71.4%) and erythromycin (65.7%), followed by ciprofloxacin (48.6%) and chloramphenicol (42.9%). Gentamicin showed the least resistance (22.9%). Logistic regression revealed a significant association between pig origin and Campylobacter positivity (p < 0.05), with pigs from Lira and Masaka more likely to carry the pathogen. The moderate prevalence of Campylobacter and high levels of resistance to commonly used antibiotics in pigs at Wambizzi abattoir raise public health concerns. Targeted interventions including prudent antibiotic use and improved biosecurity in pig production are recommended to mitigate the risk of transmission to humans.