Abstract:
Campylobacter species are among zoonotic pathogens that cause bacterial diarrhea globally.
Campylobacter species are small gram negative, non-spore forming bacteria that require
microaerophilic conditions, spiral rods with a single polar flagellum. So far, the isolation of
Campylobacter from sheep carcasses, vaginal swabs, and aborted fetus has been studied. But, to
the best of the researcher's knowledge, there are no studies on the incidence of Campylobacter
species and its associated risk factors from sheep feces in Bahir Dar Zuria. The purpose of this
study was to isolate Campylobacter species from sheep feces and study the risk factors in Bahir
Dar Zuria. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 92 sheep from February 2021 to
March 2022.Purposive and simple random sampling technique were used to select sheep owner
households and sheep respectively. Isolation and characterization of Campylobacter species
were performed using standard culture isolation techniques, morphological and biochemical
characterization. Data on risk factors was gathered through observations and interviews of 92
households. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test were used for the analyses. Among 92
sheep of different age(lambs and adult sheep), 16.3% were positive for Campylobacter species;
Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, and other unidentified sp. accounted for 53.3%,
20%, and 26.6%, respectively. Accordingly, Campylobacter jejuni was the most prevalent
Campylobacter species. Statistically significant association was observed between lambs and
adult sheep; houses with mixed and with no mixed animal production in the isolation of
Campylobacter species. But, there was no statistically significant variation between the sexes of
sheep in the isolation of Campylobacter species. Detection of Campylobacter species are found
in sheep, suggests possible risks of infection to humans. Efforts should be made to prevent
human exposure to Campylobacter through proper hygiene and production practices.