Genotypical Relationship Between Human and Poultry Strains of Campylobacter jejuni

This study aimed to compare the genotype diversity of C. jejuni isolates. From the total of 64 C. jejuni strains evaluated, 44 were isolated from broiler carcasses (2015-2016) and 20 from hospitalized patients with gastroenteritis caused by the microorganism (2000-2006). The strains were correlated for the presence of flaA, pldA, cadF, ciaB, cdtABC, luxS, dnaJ, cbrA, htrA, pVir, Hcp, cstII, and neuA genes by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and for phylogenetic proximity by PFGE (pulsed-field gel electrophoresis). Of the total strains studied, 28 (43.7%) presented all the studied genes, except pVir. Among these strains, 25 (89.3%) were of poultry origin. Poultry strains showed a higher prevalence (P < 0.05) of genes linked to adhesion, colonization, invasion, cytotoxicity, biofilm formation, and adaptation to adverse conditions. Additionally, the profile that denotes the presence of all genes identified in the study (P1) was identified in 56.8% of poultry strains and in 15.0% of human strains. Molecular typing analysis identified five pulsotypes, none of which grouped strains from different origins. Although human strains were from hospitalized patients, they presented limited virulence capacity and adaptability to adverse conditions compared to chicken carcasses, besides being different in molecular typing. However, the ability to cause Guillain-Barre Syndrome is equal for both strains. In general, poultry strains, being more recent, are more specialized to adapt to the environment, invade, and cause disease in the human host.

Automated summary

Poultry-derived C. jejuni strains exhibit higher genetic diversity and adaptability compared to human-derived strains, with greater potential for pathogenicity. Human strains show lower virulence and adaptability, as well as significant differences in molecular typing, indicating a less specialized adaptation to causing disease in humans.