The effects of Campylobacter numbers in caeca on the contamination of broiler carcasses with Campylobacter

Int J Food Microbiol. 2008 Sep 30;127(1-2):116-20. doi: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2008.06.018. Epub 2008 Jun 24.

Abstract

For the presence and number of Campylobacter, 18 broiler flocks were sampled over a period of 18 months. A total of 70% of the flocks were positive for Campylobacter, with higher prevalence found in summer and autumn, compared to winter and spring. Positive flocks showed contamination rates above 90%, in negative flocks this was lower, mostly below 50%. The enumeration showed a decrease in Campylobacter during processing of positive flocks. The numbers were highest in carcasses after scalding/defeathering (mean 5.9 log10 cfu/carcass) and dropped by 0.7 log10 cfu/carcass after chilling. A positive correlation was observed between the number of Campylobacter present in the caeca and the number of bacteria present on carcasses and cut products. When a negative flock was slaughtered after Campylobacter positive flocks, the number of positive samples was higher compared to the case when a negative flock had been slaughtered previously. C. jejuni was isolated from 73.6% of the poultry samples.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abattoirs*
  • Animals
  • Campylobacter / growth & development
  • Campylobacter / isolation & purification*
  • Cecum / microbiology*
  • Chickens*
  • Colony Count, Microbial
  • Consumer Product Safety
  • Food Contamination / analysis*
  • Food Contamination / prevention & control
  • Food Handling / methods*
  • Food Handling / standards
  • Food Microbiology
  • Hygiene
  • Meat / microbiology
  • Risk Assessment
  • Seasons