Abstract:
Objectives: To determine the presence of potential human bacterial pathogens in oral cavities of dogs in rural communities of Benue State, Nigeria. Methodology and results: Oral swabs from 213 local dogs were inoculated on culture media followed by standard biochemical tests for species identification of the isolates. One hundred and sixty dogs (75.1%) were positive for at least one species of bacteria. Of the positive dogs, 153 (95.6%) harbored two or more bacterial pathogens. A significant variation in the manner of occurrence of bacteria (15) was observed in the dogs sampled. A total of 448 isolates of different species of bacteria were recorded from the 160 positive dogs. The species identified and the number of dogs from which they were isolated were Escherichia coli, 110 (51.6%), Staphylococcus aureus, 93 (46.0%), Proteus mirabilis, 56 (26.3), Enterobacter aerogenes, 44 (20.7%), Corynebacterium renale, 42 (19.7%), Klebsiella pneumoniae, 25 (11.7%), Enterococcus faecalis, 17 (8.0), Listeria moncytogenes, 16 (7.5%), Pseudomoonas aeruginosa, 16 (7.5%), Streptococcus canis, 13 (6.1%), Bacillus cereus, 13 (6.1%), and Pasteurella multocida, 3 (1.4%). Conclusions and application of finding: Most dogs in Makurdi harbour at least 1 zoonotic bacterial pathogen in their buccal cavities. The chances for multiple human infections through dog bites, direct contact with saliva or ingestion of saliva contaminated water and food are high. Proper medical care of local dogs, personal hygiene and careful selection of drugs to treat dog bite wounds or related infections are recommended.
