Prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in a cross-sectional study of dogs attending veterinary practices in the UK and risk indicators associated with shedding

Campylobacteriosis is a major cause of gastroenteritis in humans and some studies have suggested that dog ownership is a risk factor for the condition. To determine the prevalence, species distribution, and risk indicators for Campylobacter spp. infecting dogs attending veterinary practices in UK, faecal samples were collected in a cross–sectional study from 249 dogs with and without clinical signs. The prevalence of Campylobacter spp. was 38% (95% CI 32, 44), with Campylobacter upsaliensis accounting for 94 (98%) of the isolates and Campylobacter jejuni for the remainder. Multivariable analysis indicated that younger dogs were more likely to carry C. upsaliensis and the high prevalence of this pathogen supports the hypothesis that dogs, particularly younger animals, may be an important source of C. upsaliensis infection for humans. However the prevalence of C. jejuni, the most common Campylobacter spp. associated with disease in humans, was low (1.2%, 95% CI 0.3, 3).