Background: Campylobacter is the main pathogen involved in zoonotic gastrointestinal diseases. In 2018, European Regulation 2017/1495 on Campylobacter in broiler carcases came into force. In this context, the aim of the study was to assess the potential risk factors associated with exceeding the 1000 cfu/g (colony-forming units per gram) limit set by the EC in several slaughterhouses in Spain.
Methods: Data relating to 12 factors were collected using questionnaires. Samples were collected from 12 Spanish abattoirs in June, July and August 2017 (n=1725) and were analysed following the ISO 10272-2:2006 method.
Results: The proportion of Campylobacter-positive samples was 23.7 per cent (n=409). Analysis of flock age (41-50 days) revealed a significantly increased odds ratio (OR) in Campylobacter enumeration (OR=7.41). Moreover, scalding temperature (51.9°C-54°C) was positively associated with an increase in OR (OR=2.75). Time in transit to slaughter for 1-1.5 hours showed a significant decrease in OR (OR=0.25), while time in transit for more than two hours showed an increase in OR (OR=4.44). With regard to carcase weight, a weight of 3.21-3.58 kg showed a decrease in OR (OR=0.01).
Conclusion: The outcomes of this study suggest that although most chickens are contaminated by the bacterium, the prevalence of those exceeding the 1000 cfu/g limit is not so high as thought.
Keywords: Campylobacter; poultry; quantitative; risk factor; slaughterhouse.
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