The incidence of Campylobacter spp. on processed turkey from processing plants in the midwestern United States

AIM

The primary aim of this study was to determine the incidence of Campylobacter spp. on turkey, presented for processing at participating production plants located in the midwest region of the United States.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The two participating plants were visited on a monthly basis for a period of 1 year. Sampling of carcasses was carried out using a surface swab technique. Swabs were obtained from carcasses at two points on the production line - prechill and postchill. In addition, samples of chill water were also obtained for examination. Isolation and detection of Campylobacter was carried out using enrichment in Preston broth with recovery of the organism on blood free Campylobacter selective agar (CCDA). Isolates recovered were screened and identified using the API Campy identification system. The study found that 34.9% of all samples tested were positive for Campylobacter spp. The overall, contamination rates observed for both plants were relatively similar (39.2% for plant A and 30.6% for plant B). Differences were observed in the incidence of Campylobacter spp. on prechill vs postchill carcasses (i.e. 40.8% prechill vs 37.6% postchill for plant A and 41.8% prechill vs 19.8% postchill for plant B). Campylobacter species most often isolated included Camp. jejuni and Camp. coli. Other species recovered were Camp. fetus fetus, Camp. upsaliensis and Camp. lari.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of Campylobacter spp. on processed poultry was relatively common. Factors such as the processing plant examined, season and the farms presenting birds for processing influenced the incidence of the pathogen.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Differences were observed in the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. isolated from the two plants examined. The study suggests a seasonal prevalence of Campylobacter in the cooler months with processing conditions also influencing the overall occurrence of the organism. The incidence, isolation and detection of Campylobacter spp. from processed poultry are discussed.

The incidence of antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella spp on freshly processed poultry from US Midwestern processing plants

AIMS

To determine the incidence of antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella spp. on processed poultry (turkey) at Midwestern poultry plants.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Two participating plants were visited at monthly intervals for a period of 1 year. Surface swabs were obtained from carcasses at two selected points on the production line, pre- and post-chill. In addition, samples of the chill water from chill tanks were also examined. Isolation and detection of Salmonella spp. from carcass swabs and chill water was carried out using standard enrichment techniques. Immunomagnetic separation was used to enhance the recovery of the pathogen. Salmonella isolates recovered were identified, serotyped and their antimicrobial resistance profiles determined using the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System. Results from the study indicated that the overall incidence of Salmonella was approx. 16.7%, with a greater incidence of the pathogen observed on pre-chill than post-chill carcasses. Salmonella isolates recovered displayed resistance to an average of four different antimicrobials. Approximately 15 different serotypes of Salmonella spp. were recovered, with Salmonella serotype Agona, Salmonella serotype Hadar, Salmonella serotype Heidelberg and Salmonella serotype Senftenberg being the most common.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of Salmonella spp. was relatively low and isolates recovered showed significant degrees of antimicrobial resistance. Factors such as the processing plant examined, the season and farms that were presenting animals for processing influenced the incidence of the pathogen.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Differences were observed in the serotypes of Salmonella recovered and the types of antimicrobial resistance found at the two plants. The study suggests that the use of antimicrobials at the farm level influences the creation of an environment that promotes the selection of antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella spp. The incidence, isolation and detection of Salmonella spp. on processed poultry are discussed.

Virulence factors of Escherichia cofi from cellulitis or colisepticemia lesions in chickens

This study was designed to compare virulence factors of cellulitis-derived Escherichia coli to colisepticemic E. coli in order to clarify whether E. coli associated with cellulitis comprise a unique subset of pathogenic E. coli. Isolates were tested for serotype, capsule, aerobactin production, colicin production, the presence of the iss gene, and serum resistance. Untypable isolates made up the greatest percentage of each group. Serotypes O2 and O78 were the most commonly identified among both groups of isolates. No statistical differences in the distribution of aerobactin or colicin production, capsule, or iss gene were observed between groups. Cluster analysis showed that 90% of the E. coli isolates had greater than 42% livability in serum-resistance tests. No separation of colisepticemic vs. cellulitis E. coli isolates was observed on the basis of SR. Colicin production by E. coli was highly correlated with serum resistance (P = 0.0029). These data suggest that cellulitis E. coli have virulence traits similar to those of colisepticemic E. coli.