Background Campylobacter species are recognized as the most common cause of
foodborne bacterial gastroenteritis in humans. In this study nine
Campylobacter strains isolated from chicken meat and pork in Hanoi, Vietnam,
were characterized using molecular methods and tested for antibiotic
resistance. Results The nine isolates (eight C. jejuni and one C. coli) were
identified by multiplex PCR, and tested for the presence or absence of 29 gene
loci associated with virulence, lipooligosaccharide (LOS) biosynthesis and
further functions. flaA typing, multilocus sequence typing and microarray
assay investigation showed a high degree of genetic diversity among these
isolates. In all isolates motility genes (flaA, flaB, flhA, fliM),
colonization associated genes (cadF, docB), toxin production genes (cdtA,
cdtB, secD, secF), and the LOS biosynthesis gene pglB were detected. Eight
gene loci (fliY, virB11, Cje1278, Cj1434c, Cj1138, Cj1438c, Cj1440c, Cj1136)
could not be detected by PCR. A differing presence of the gene loci ciaB (22.2
%), Cje1280 (77.8 %), docC (66.7 %), and cgtB (55.6 %) was found. iamA, cdtC,
and the type 6 secretion system were present in all C. jejuni isolates but not
in C. coli. flaA typing resulted in five different genotypes within C. jejuni,
MLST classified the isolates into seven sequence types (ST-5155, ST-6736,
ST-2837, ST-4395, ST-5799, ST-4099 and ST-860). The microarray assay analysis
showed a high genetic diversity within Vietnamese Campylobacter isolates which
resulted in eight different types for C. jejuni. Antibiotic susceptibility
profiles showed that all isolates were sensitive to gentamicin and most
isolates (88.8 %) were sensitive to chloramphenicol, erythromycin and
streptomycin. Resistance rates to nalidixic acid, tetracycline and
ciprofloxacin were 88.9, 77.8 and 66.7 %, respectively. Conclusions To the
best of our knowledge, this study is the first report that shows high genetic
diversity and remarkable antibiotic resistance of Campylobacter strains
isolated from meat in Vietnam which can be considered of high public health
significance. These preliminary data show that large scale screenings are
justified to assess the relevance of Campylobacter infections on human health
in Vietnam