African Journal of
Microbiology Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Microbiol. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0808
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJMR
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 5228

Full Length Research Paper

Detection of Salmonella, Clostridium perfringens and Escherichia coli from fecal samples of captive animals at the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa

Khethiwe Mtshali1, Moses S. Mtshali1,2, Jane S. Nkhebenyane3 and Oriel M. M. Thekisoe1*
1Parasitology Research Program, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of the Free State Qwaqwa Campus, Phuthaditjhaba, 9866, South Africa. 2Research and Scientific Services Department, National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, P. O. Box 754, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa. 3School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Central University of Technology, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa
Email: +27 58 718 5331. Fax: +27 58 718 5444

  •  Accepted: 08 March 2012
  •  Published: 23 April 2012

Abstract

Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens and Salmonella spp. are enterotoxic, ubiquitously distributed bacteria. Diseases caused by these pathogens are well recognized in humans, livestock, companion and zoo animals and can result in morbidity, mortality, and significant economic losses. The aim of the study was to identify and simultaneously amplify enterotoxigenic E. coli; Salmonella spp. and C. perfringens using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Bacterial DNA was isolated from faeces of captive animals, birds (n=17), primates (n=6) and antelopes (n=26) using the Zymo Research Faecal DNA kit. The overall frequency of bacterial isolation was 8%. This low frequency could have resulted from the highly standardized management carried out at the zoo as well as other factors such as lack of contact with other animals and spatial buffers.

 

Key words: Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, multiplex PCR

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