Occurrence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Zoonotic Multidrug-resistant Campylobacter coli in Piggery Effluents from Abakaliki, Nigeria
Christiana Inuaesiet Edemekong, Fredrick Ugadu Ali, Akunna Perpetua Emeruwa, Emmanuel Ejike Alagba, Awoke Obinna Okpaga, Maria Ezinne Okorie, Ikemesit Udeme Peter
Asian Journal of Research in Animal and Veterinary Sciences · pp. 441–452 · Published 15 Jul 2026
10.9734/ajravs/2026/v9i3426Abstract
Background: Campylobacter coli is a major foodborne pathogen commonly associated with swine and poses significant public health risks through contaminated pork and environmental exposure. This study assessed the occurrence, antimicrobial resistance profiles and seasonal dynamics of C. coli isolated from piggery effluents in Abakaliki, Nigeria, during the dry and rainy seasons. Methods: A total of 60 piggery effluent samples were collected from two intensive pig farms (FARM A and FARM B) during the dry and rainy seasons. Standard microbiological methods, including culture on Campylobacter agar and biochemical identification, were used for isolation and identification. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method, and the multiple antibiotic resistance index (MARI) was calculated. Results: C. coli was detected only during the rainy season, with isolation rates of 17 (13.3%) at FARM A and 11 (9.4%) at FARM B. All isolates exhibited 100% resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, meropenem, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline and erythromycin. High resistance was also observed to cefotaxime (94.1%), colistin (54.6-76.5%) and ciprofloxacin (63.6%), while all isolates from FARM A remained susceptible to streptomycin. MARI values ranged from 0.68 to 0.90, indicating multidrug resistance. Conclusion: Piggery effluents harboured multidrug-resistant C. coli showing resistance to critically important antibiotics, including colistin and carbapenems. The seasonal detection pattern suggests that the rainy season may be associated with increased risk of environmental contamination and potential zoonotic transmission. These findings support the need for improved effluent management, antimicrobial stewardship and routine surveillance to reduce the public health risk posed by antibiotic-resistant Campylobacter from pig farming operations.
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