A 1-year epidemiological study of campylobacters in 18 Swedish chicken farms (original) (raw)

Routes for Campylobacter contamination of poultry meat: epidemiological study from hatchery to slaughterhouse

Epidemiology and Infection, 2003

From April 1998 to March 2000, 18 broiler flocks were followed from the hatchery to the slaughterhouse. Campylobacter was not found in the hatchery, 1-day-old chicks or in the rearing house before the arrival of the chicks. The infection of broiler flocks increased continuously during the rearing time, with a total of seven positive flocks at the end of rearing. Farms with Campylobacter-positive broilers were characterized by the circulation of Campylobacter in the environment (puddles, dung hill) and on the footwear of the farmer. The administration of antibiotics did not significantly reduce Campylobacter shedding. With the exception of one flock during rearing and a few flocks in the slaughterhouse with a mixed Campylobacter coli–Campylobacter jejuni infection, C. jejuni exclusively was found both during rearing and on the carcasses. A significant correlation exits between the contamination of the broilers during rearing and the carcasses after processing. No slaughterhouse was a...

Correlations between Campylobacter spp. prevalence in the environment and broiler flocks

Journal of applied microbiology, 2007

To investigate (i) possible correlations between the presence of Campylobacter spp. in the surroundings of broiler farms and their incidence in flocks, and (ii) possible associations between weather conditions and the occurrence of Campylobacter spp. Farms were selected according to previous results from the Swedish Campylobacter programme. Samples were collected in and around broiler houses during the rearing period from 131 flocks on 31 farms, including sock samples from the ground outside, from the floor in the broiler houses and anterooms, and samples from insects, water, feed and ventilation shafts. As expected, there was a difference in Campylobacter isolation rates for different categories of farms regarding samples taken in the houses. However, there were no differences regarding the presence of Campylobacter spp. in the environment between producers that often deliver Campylobacter-positive slaughter batches and those that rarely deliver positive batches. Campylobacter spp....

Campylobacteriosis in Poultry: A Review

Journal of World's Poultry Research, 2023

Campylobacter is common in poultry, including layer and broiler chickens, geese, ducks, and turkeys. This review aimed to emphasize the prevalence of campylobacteriosis, recent poultry diagnoses, and strict prevention measures. Campylobacter species colonize the intestines of poultry and waterfowl but are generally nonpathogenic in poultry. However, they are the most common bacterial cause of sporadic human enteritis in both developed and developing countries. The main species responsible for campylobacteriosis is Campylobacter jejuni, followed by Campylobacter coli. A number of other Campylobacter species, such as Campylobacter lari, fetus, upsaliensis, and hyointestinalis are rarely associated with campylobacteriosis. Campylobacter hepaticus is the species linked to spotty liver disease in layers and breeder chickens, and it may be the etiological agent of the disease previously known as avian vibrionic hepatitis. The most prevalent infection source for Campylobacter is environmental contamination from poultry droppings. However, some Campylobacter species can be transmitted vertically, either on the surface of eggs or via trans-ovarian transmission in addition to consumption of contaminated feed or water. Due to the non-specific clinical signs such as diarrhea and weight loss, diagnosing campylobacteriosis in poultry requires culture or polymerase chain reaction tests. Little is known about the available vaccine or effective antibiotic treatment due to the rapid development of antibiotic resistance. Therefore, strict biosecurity measures play a crucial role in preventing Campylobacter infection in commercial poultry. These measures include decontaminating housing between flocks, preventing the entry of rodents, wild birds, and animals, and eradicating insects. To control campylobacteriosis and reduce infection risks, it is important to implement efficient on-farm biosecurity measures, conduct regular inspections of workers at meat processing plants and poultry farms, and ensure thorough preparation of chicken meat and eggs before consumption. These measures are vital in minimizing the Campylobacter transmission from both broiler and laying chickens, thereby reducing the risk of foodborne diseases caused by contaminated food.

Prevalence of and risk factors for Campylobacter spp. contamination of broiler chicken carcasses at the slaughterhouse

Food Microbiology, 2010

A study was conducted in 2008 to estimate the prevalence and identify the risk factors for Campylobacter spp. contamination of broiler carcasses during the slaughtering process. A pool of 10 caeca and one carcass were collected from 425 batches of broiler chickens slaughtered in 58 French slaughterhouses over a 12-month period. Potential risk factors were identified according to the Campylobacter contamination status of carcasses and processing variables identified from questionnaires. The statistical analysis took into account confounding factors that have already been associated with the presence of Campylobacter on carcasses such as the slaughter age of the chicken or seasonal variations. Campylobacter spp. were isolated from 77.2% of caeca (95% CI 73.2 to 81.2) and from 87.5% of carcasses (95% CI 84.4 to 90.7). A multiple logistic regression showed 4 parameters as significant risk factors (p < 0.05) for contamination: (I) batches were not the first to be slaughtered in the logistic schedule (OR ¼ 3.5), (II) temperature in the evisceration room was higher than 15 C (OR ¼ 3.1), (III) dirty marks on carcasses after evisceration were visible (OR ¼ 2.6) and (IV) previous thinning of the flocks, from which slaughtered batches came, had occurred at the farm (OR ¼ 3.3). This last result highlighted the need for sanitary precautions to be taken when catching birds for transport. At the slaughterhouse, evisceration seemed to be the operation contributing most to the spread of contamination. Effective risk management solutions could include the systematic external rinsing of carcasses after evisceration and the implementation of slaughtering schedules according to the Campylobacter contamination status of flocks.

Risk factors for Campylobacter spp. colonization in French free-range broiler-chicken flocks at the end of the indoor rearing period

Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 2007

The aim of this cross-sectional survey was to identify risk factors for Campylobacter spp. colonization in French free-range broiler flocks at the end of the indoor rearing period (between 35 and 42 days old). Seventy-three broiler farms were studied from March 2003 to March 2004 in France. A questionnaire was administered to the farmers and samples of fresh droppings were taken to assess the flocks' Campylobacter status by bacteriology. Campylobacter species were determined by PCR. A logistic regression analysis was used to assess the influence of various factors on flocks' Campylobacter status. 71.2% of the sampled flocks excreted Campylobacter spp. before going out on the range. The risk of a flock being colonized with Campylobacter was increased in the spring/ summer period (RR = 1.8, p = 0.02) and autumn (RR = 2.2, p = 0.02) compared to winter, on total freedom rearing farms (RR = 3.3, p = 0.04) in comparison with farms with a fenced run, when the first disinfection of the poultry-house was performed by the farmer (RR = 2.4, p = 0.04) instead of a hygiene specialist, when rodent control was carried out by a contractor (RR = 1.8, p < 0.01) and not by the farmer and when the farmer came into the house twice a day as opposed to three time a day or more (RR = 1.5, p = 0.02). Use of a specific gate for chick placement decreased the risk of a flock being colonized with Campylobacter (RR = 0.5, p = 0.01) in comparison with using the gate for manual disposure or the door of the change room.

SCVMJ, XIX (2) 2014 Incidence of Campylobacter in slaughtered chicken

A total 2565 samples (1890 samples of frozen chicken, 660 samples of freshly slaughter chicken were collected from neck skin, cloacal skin and drip and 15 samples of washing containers) from super market and slaughter poultry house in Egypt and examined for presence of Campylobacter. The Campylobacter was detected by 16.7 % of all examined samples. Incidence of Campylobacter in frozen samples was 7.94 %, 1.59 %, 9.0 % in neck skin, cloacal skin and drip respectively. The results freshly slaughter chicken of revealed 32.73 % incidence of Campylobacter in samples. The incidence of Campylobacter in the examined washing water were 100%. The cross contamination was occurred during the slaughter processing. And Continues test of poultry carcasses and by-product before packing and distribution is highly recommended with application of good hygienic measure importance to reduce human infection. Introduction Campylobactriosis is the major important zoonotic gastrointestinal disease around th...

Occurrence and genotypes of Campylobacter in broiler flocks, other farm animals, and the environment during several rearing periods on selected poultry farms

International Journal of Food Microbiology, 2008

. Occurrence and genotypes of Campylobacter in broiler flocks, other farm animals, and the environment during several rearing periods on selected poultry farms. Occurrence and genotypes of Campylobacter in broiler flocks, other farm animals, and the environment during several rearing periods on selected poultry farms. Abstract On 15 poultry farms, broiler flocks, other farm animals, and the environment were examined for Campylobacter. Flocks were examined weekly for six or three rearing periods. Of the 5'154 collected samples, 311 (6%) from 14 farms were Campylobacter positive. Positive samples originated from broiler flocks, the broiler houses, cattle, pigs, bantams, a horse, a laying hen flock, and a mouse. Amongst them, 288 tested positive for C. jejuni and 92 for C. coli. The analysis of 917 isolates by flagellin gene typing and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, and of 15 assorted strains by amplified fragment length polymorphism allowed the following conclusions: (i) on eight farms (A, D, H, K, L, M, O, P) identical genotypes were isolated from broilers and other farm animals emphasizing their importance as reservoirs and risk factors for flock colonization and retrieving the role of personnel moving between areas as potential vectors; (ii) on four farms (C, D, I, L), indications of persistent contamination of the broiler house were evident and thereby the importance of efficient cleaning and disinfection was underlined; (iii) the previously described sources for broiler flock colonization could be excluded for certain genotypes from eight farms suggesting the existence of more potential vectors or niches; (iv) especially on farms with extensive outdoor flocks, multiple genotypes were found within a rearing period; and (v) some genotypes were identical across farms. The significance of such strains remains to be elucidated.