The Effect of Transportation Stress on Excretion Rates of Campylobacters in Market-age Broilers

Abstract

We determined the effects of transportation distance and holding times at a commercial slaughter facility on excretion rates of Campylobacter spp. in broilers. Fecal samples from broilers in each of 10 flocks were obtained at the following three sampling points: at the farms, following transportation, and after holding at the plant. The farms examined were divided into two groups based on distances and transport times to the plant. The prevalence and levels of Campylobacter spp. were evaluated for all specimens taken at the three sampling points. A statistically significant increase in counts was observed in samples from both groups following transportation (P < 0.05). The resting period at the abattoir prior to slaughter did not significantly reduce rates of Campylobacter spp. shedding in the flocks examined. Differences in distance travelled and transport durations between the two groups was not found to be a statistically significant factor in altering excretion rates of the organism. The present study demonstrated that transport-induced stress increased shedding of Campylobacter spp. in fecal material of broilers that may subsequently result in extensive carcass contamination.

Campylobacter

“…Control should be directed primarily at the prevention of colonisation in food animals through the implemention of Good Hygienic Practices (GHP), biosecurity measures and husbandry practices which should be incorporated in Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) based risk management systems [189]. Efforts at harvest level should be concentrated on practices designed to control and reduce levels of faecal contamination during live bird transportation, slaughter and carcase dressing [9,191]. In addition consumers and food handlers should be made aware of the role that they play in reducing the incidence of Campylobacter infection by preventing cross-contamination in kitchens or food preparation areas [61].…”

Campylobacter jejuni Gene Expression in the Chick Cecum: Evidence for Adaptation to a Low-Oxygen Environment

“…Interventions throughout the food-processing chain have been rather ineffective in reducing incidents of food poisoning due to this bacterium (2,26,42). One strategy for reducing contamination of finished poultry products is to reduce the levels of C. jejuni organisms being carried in chickens on the farm and at the point of slaughter.…”

Factores asociados a la contaminación con <i>Campylobacter</i> spp. termotolerante en pollos de engorde, en tres niveles de la cadena avícola, para consumo humano en Costa Rica.

“…aumentan posterior al transporte, en comparación con recuentos realizados en granja. A su vez, éstos estudios demostraron que el tiempo de reposo en el matadero no significó una reducción en los recuentos (Whyte et al 2001, Wesley et al 2005. Paralelamente, se ha determinado que el estrés inducido por el transporte aumenta la proporción de Campylobacter spp.…”

“…Licencia Creative Commons Atribución-No-Comercial SinDerivadas 3.0 Costa Rica en el ave, que puede, consecuentemente, resultar en mayor contaminación de la carcasa (Whyte et al 2001).…”