Identification and Genotyping of Campylobacter spp. Strains Isolated From a Captive Wildlife Population in New Zealand

aut.embargoNoen_NZ
aut.supplementaryuploadYes
aut.thirdpc.containsNoen_NZ
aut.thirdpc.permissionNoen_NZ
aut.thirdpc.removedNoen_NZ
dc.contributor.advisorMerien, Fabrice
dc.contributor.advisorVidicki, Miomir
dc.contributor.authorSowerby, Niki
dc.date.accessioned2016-05-19T04:33:47Z
dc.date.available2016-05-19T04:33:47Z
dc.date.copyright2015
dc.date.created2016
dc.date.issued2015
dc.date.updated2016-05-18T08:40:38Z
dc.description.abstractThe Auckland Zoological Park holds 120 species and over 850 animals within a 17-hectare park in central Auckland. Species include non-primate mammals, avians, primates and reptiles, including a mixture of exotic and native species. Little is known about the epidemiology of Campylobacter in wildlife populations, as previous and current studies focus on domestic and food producing animals, as well as Campylobacter in medical settings. This study set out to determine and identify Campylobacter in a healthy captive wildlife population and present the isolated organisms virulence potential by investigating the presence of putative virulence genes (flaA, cadF, cdtA, cdtB, cdtC and gyrA). The genes investigated are commonly associated with multifactorial processes that are involved with Campylobacter infection. Based on sequencing profiles of the virulence genes investigated, phylogenetic relationships were demonstrated between the different Campylobacter strains isolated from such a wide variety of animals. Over a 9-month period (December 2013 to August 2014) 202 faecal samples were collected from a variety of animal species of the Auckland Zoo’s captive population, for evaluation of the presence of Campylobacter. From the 202 samples collected, Campylobacter was isolated from 17 (8.9%), where Campylobacter jejuni was the most frequently isolated Campylobacter species, with a recovery rate of 52.9% in the present study. Upon isolation, isolates were then investigated for the presence of specific genes that are commonly associated with pathogenesis of Campylobacter infection. The genes were selected on the basis of their involvement in motility, adhesion, invasion and toxin production, which are all associated with the multifactorial bacterial pathogenic mechanisms. The absence of one of these virulence factors can limit and reduce the organism’s pathogenicity and virulence potential. Of the 6 genes investigated, flagella A (flaA) genes were found in 100%, Campylobacter adhesion factor (cadF) was found in 58.8%, gyrase A (gyrA) in 70.6%, and cytotoxin A, B and C (cdtA, cdtB and cdtC) in 70.6%, 47.1% and 35.3% respectively. Sequencing of these genes revealed both homology and heterogeneity of gene sequences between the different Campylobacter species, demonstrating both genetic conservation and variation respectively.en_NZ
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10292/9805
dc.language.isoenen_NZ
dc.publisherAuckland University of Technology
dc.rights.accessrightsOpenAccess
dc.subjectCampylobacteren_NZ
dc.subjectWildlifeen_NZ
dc.titleIdentification and Genotyping of Campylobacter spp. Strains Isolated From a Captive Wildlife Population in New Zealanden_NZ
dc.typeThesis
thesis.degree.discipline
thesis.degree.grantorAuckland University of Technology
thesis.degree.levelMasters Theses
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Scienceen_NZ
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