Validation of methods for detection of Campylobacter in veterinary patients

项目总结 在美国，弯曲杆菌感染是人类食源性疾病的主要原因。 尽管人类弯曲杆菌病通常与摄入 受污染的食物，宠物可能是另一个感染源。狗和猫并不常见 被认为是人类感染源，但弯曲杆菌携带在 这些宠物。狗和猫感染弯曲杆菌的危险因素包括食用 生肉饮食和受污染的食物，如未煮熟的牛骨。人们可能会暴露在 在处理受污染的宠物食品和受感染宠物的食物或粪便时使用弯曲杆菌。 尽管认识到这些病例和猫狗弯曲杆菌病的潜在风险， 弯曲杆菌培养在这些物种中并不是常规进行的。我们建议验证 诊断培养和分子方法检测猫和狗体内的弯曲杆菌脱落 因为1)弯曲杆菌感染在狗和猫身上是公认的；2)狗和猫活着 与人，特别是与儿童密切交往；3)狗和猫的脱落 弯曲杆菌属。被公认为与人类感染有关；4)狗和猫 没有进行常规的弯曲杆菌脱落筛查，尽管认识到了 狗和猫中的弯曲杆菌感染；以及5)缺乏标准化方法 弯曲菌的检测使得比较不同地理区域的研究变得困难 和不同的实验室。我们将验证培养和分子方法，并测试这些方法 方法在3个独立的、盲目的实验室中，用弯曲杆菌添加的测试样本和 最终在犬类腹泻患者的粪便样本上测试这些方法。另外， 4个协作组之间的测试验证和样本交换的协作性工作 实验室将加强这些VET-LIRN实验室之间的联系，从而促进 在实际的紧急情况相关事件期间无缝交互。

PROJECT SUMMARY Campylobacter infection is a leading cause of human foodborne illness in the United States. Although human campylobacteriosis is usually associated with the consumption of contaminated food, pets can be another source of infection. Dogs and cats are not commonly thought of as a source for human infection, but Campylobacter carriage is well-recognized in these pets. Risk factors for Campylobacter infection in dogs and cats include consumption of raw meat diets and contaminated treats such as uncooked beef bones. People can be exposed to Campylobacter when handling contaminated pet food and treats or feces from infected pets. Despite recognition of these cases and the potential risk of campylobacteriosis in dogs and cats, Campylobacter culture is not routinely performed in these species. We propose to validate diagnostic culture and molecular methods to detect Campylobacter shedding in dogs and cats because 1) Campylobacter infection is well-recognized in dogs and cats; 2) dogs and cats live in close association with people, particularly children; 3) canine and feline shedding of Campylobacter spp. is well-recognized and associated with human infection; 4) dogs and cats are not routinely screened for Campylobacter shedding despite recognition of the risk of Campylobacter infection in dogs and cats; and 5) the absence of standardized methods for Campylobacter detection make it difficult to compare studies from different geographic areas and different laboratories. We will validate both culture and molecular methods and test these methods in 3 independent, blinded laboratories with Campylobacter spiked test samples and ultimately test the methods on fecal samples from canine patients with diarrhea. Additionally, the collaborative effort of test validation and sample exchange between the 4 collaborating laboratories will strengthen the ties between these Vet-LIRN laboratories thereby promoting seamless interactions during actual emergency related events.