Occurrence of Genetic Diversity, Virulence, and Resistance Genes Among Campylobacter species in Nigeria: A Review

Infectious diseases are serious threats to public health globally. Therefore, regional understanding of pathogens in Nigeria, their sources, common species, genetic diversity, and presence of resistance genes as in the genus Campylobacter which causes campylobacteriosis and related illnesses is important for strategizing control and prevention for public health improvement.

Campylobacter species of common occurrence in Nigeria are Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, Campylobacter fetus, Campylobacter lari, Campylobacter upsalienses, and Campylobacter hyointestinalis. They are found in poultry, pets, underground water, and humans. Some strains have genetic diversity with the formation of clones and sequence types (STs). Virulence genes such as lpxA, napA, glnA, and flaA have been reported among some species in the country. Antibiotic resistance among some of the species is due to tetO, cmeB, gyrA, and genes encoding OXA β-lactamase types (OXA-193, OXA-449, OXA-61, OXA-783 OXA-785, OXA-786, OXA-184, and OXA-461).

Regional control measures should be adopted in the control of Campylobacter species. Treatment of Campylobacter-related diseases in Nigeria should rely on antibiotic susceptibility tests to help with drug selection (reliable option) for successful treatment.