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

Abstract

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 able to avoid contamination of carcasses when status-positive animals were delivered. Moreover, six negatively delivered flocks yielded positive carcasses, the result of a supplementary contamination, which occurred during transport and slaughtering.

Cecal drop reflects the chickens' cecal microbiome, fecal drop does not

“…The cecal microbiome plays an important role in fermentation processes and production of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) (Patterson and Burkholder, 2003;Rehman et al, 2007). Also, the cecum can host pathogenic and zoonotic bacteria that cause severe risks to human health (Herman et al, 2003;Zorman et al, 2006).…”

“…Cecal drops have been studied in chickens before and they were used to detect hazardous bacteria regarding food-safety such as Campylobacter or Salmonella (Herman et al, 2003;Okamura et al, 2008). An early study (Stern and Robach, 1992) compared three samples:…”

Occurrence of Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli on broiler carcasses after chilling in southern Brazil

“…Defeathering is critical for contamination as the concentration of Campylobacter increases at this stage, as well as in evisceration (Herman et al 2003, Rosenquist et al 2006, Figueroa et al 2009, and measures such as rinsing and chilling of carcasses are alternatives for reducing the incidence of Campylobacter (Reich et al 2008, Figueroa et al 2009). …”

Campylobacter spp. infection in humans and poultry

“…Season (summer months) Bouwknegt et al, 2004;Barrios et al, 2006;Huneau-Salaün et al, 2007;Zweifel et al, 2008;McDowell et al, 2008;Ellis-Iversen et al, 2009;Jore et al, 2010;EFSA, 2010b;Chowdhury et al, 2012a Age of broilers Berndtson et al, 1996b;Evans & Sayers, 2000;Bouwknegt et al, 2004;Barrios et al, 2006;McDowell et al, 2008;ΕFSA, 2010b;Ansari-Lari et al, 2011;Chowdhury et al, 2012a;Sommer et al, 2013 Partial depopulation practices Hald et al, 2000;Hald et al, 2001;Slader et al, 2002;Ellis-Iversen et al, 2009;Hannson et al, 2010;EFSA, 2010b; Lack of biosecurity measures Humphrey et al, 1993;Van de Giessen et al 1996;Gibbens et al, 2001;Herman et al, 2003;Cardinale et al, 2004 Flock size Berndtson et al, 1996b;Barrios et al, 2006;Guerin et al, 2007a;Nather et al, 2009 Human traffic and farm equipment Berndtson et al, 1996b;Evans & Sayers, 2000;Hald et al, 2000;Cardinale et al, 2004;Ramabu et al, 2004;Hofshagen & Kruse, 2005 Other animals on the farm or very close to the farm van de Giessen...…”