Detection of virulence genes of Arcobacter strains isolated from various sources

In this study, Arcobacter spp. existence was investigated in 22 cattle and lamb mince samples collected from various butchers and markets, in Kütahya. In addition, Arcobacter species isolated from chicken carcass and water samples in the DPU Culture Collection were included in the thesis study and the presence of putative virulence genes and antibiotic susceptibility in all strains were evaluated. Biofilm formation properties of isolates obtained from minced meat samples were also investigated under different atmospheric conditions. With molecular methods, 31,8% positivity was detected in of minced meat samples. When these strains were evaluated on the basis of species, it was determined that 85,7% of them were Arcobacter butzleri and 14,3% of them were Arcobacter cryaerophilus. A total of 30 Arcobacter samples were screened for putative virulence genes (ciaB, tlyA, cadF, pldA, cj1349, irgA, mviN, hecA and hecB) by mPCR method. The ciaB gene was found in all strains. 96,6% of the strains were positive for mviN, 90% for tlyA, 86,6% for cadF, pldA and cj1349 and 76,6% for irgA putative virulence genes. HecA, hecB putative virulence genes were not found in any of the strains. Weak biofilm formation was observed in Arcobacter species isolated from minced meat samples. The susceptibility of all isolated Arcobacter strains against to nine antibiotics was investigated. It was observed that all examined strains were sensitive to gentamicin and tetracycline. 30% are resistant to Sulfamethoxozole, 56,6% to Ciproflaxacin, 96,6% to Cephalothin, 100% to Ampicillin, 30% to Erythromycin, 96,6% to Cefoxitin and 3,3% to Streptomycin. Keywords: Antibiotic susceptibility, Arcobacter spp., Biofilm formation, Virulence genes