Bacterial contamination of table eggs and the influence of housing systems

Reu, Koen De; Messens, Winy; Heyndrickx, Marc; Rodenburg, T.B.; Uyttendaele, Mieke; Herman, Lieve

doi:10.1017/s0043933907001687

Cited by 106 publications

(72 citation statements)

References 60 publications

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“…In the study reported by UK Food Standards Agency in 2003, none of the 4,753 pooled egg contents of retail samples were Salmonella positive. Similarly, in a study conducted by a research group in Belgium, none of the 490 table eggs from 49 different producers were Salmonella positive [28]. In another study conducted in England and Wales, a total of 12,615 eggs were collected from catering premises from September 2002 to November 2004.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Prevalence, assessment, and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Salmonella from raw chicken eggs in Haramaya, Ethiopia

Kemal

Sibhat

Menkir

et al. 2016

J Infect Dev Ctries

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Introduction: The presence of antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella in poultry and poultry products, including eggs, is a global public health concern. This study aimed to estimate the levels and patterns of antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella from chicken eggs and assess consumers' raw egg consumption and farmers' handling practices. Methodology: A total of 300 egg samples were collected from Haramaya open market (n = 150) and Haramaya University poultry farm (n = 150) in Ethiopia. Questionnaires were administered to egg sellers and buyers. A sterile cotton swab was used to sample the surface of eggs. The shells were sterilized and the egg content sampled. Isolation was done using the conventional methods for the detection of Salmonella, following the standard guidelines from ISO 6579. Sensitivity to 12 selected antibiotics was tested following the procedure of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Results: A level of 5.3% was observed among eggs shells from the open market and 0% among egg shells from the poultry farm, for an overall level of 2.7%. There was a significant difference (p = 0.004) between the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in sample site and sample type. Of the antimicrobials tested, Salmonella isolates were all resistant to erythromycin and clindamycin. Isolates were sensitive to ciprofloxacin (100%) and chloramphenicol (87.5%). All isolates were resistant to multiple antibiotics. One-third of the consumers were found to have eaten raw eggs for perceived medicinal values. Conclusion: To minimize the potential contamination of eggs by pathogens, the eggs should be properly handled, transported, and stored.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Prevalence, assessment, and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Salmonella from raw chicken eggs in Haramaya, Ethiopia

Kemal

Sibhat

Menkir

et al. 2016

J Infect Dev Ctries

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“…presence of cuticle, egg shell and membrane quality or storage conditions. De Reu et al (2008) stated a limit of 5 log CFU/egg which could be considered to refer to egg shells with an acceptable hygienic quality. From this point of view, especially the litter housing seems to be the most risky.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of laying hens housing system on laying performance, egg quality characteristics, and egg microbial contamination

Englmaierová¹,

Tůmová²,

Charvátová³

et al. 2014

Czech J. Anim. Sci.

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ABSTRACT:The objective of this study was to compare the performance, egg quality, and microbial contamination of egg shells from hens maintained in different housing systems, such as conventional and enriched cages, litter, and aviaries. The housing system significantly (P < 0.001) influenced the performance characteristics. The highest egg production, lowest daily feed consumption, and feed conversion ratio were measured in conventional cages compared to litter and aviaries. Higher egg shell and albumen qualities were observed in conventional cages, whereas hens housed in enriched cages and aviaries laid eggs with a higher yolk index (P < 0.001). The housing system significantly (P < 0.001) influenced the total count of bacteria on the egg surface and the microbial contamination of Enterococcus and Escherichia coli. The lowest values for the total count of bacterial contamination (P < 0.001) were found in eggs from conventional cages (4.05 log colony-forming units (CFU)/egg) and enriched cages (3.98 log CFU/egg). Eggs from aviaries had 5.49 log CFU per egg, and the highest level of contamination was observed in eggs that were laid on litter (6.24 log CFU/egg). The level of the microbial contamination of egg shells from litter and aviaries was by 2 log CFU higher than in eggs from cages. It could be concluded, from the viewpoint of egg safety, a more suitable substitute for conventional cages are enriched cages and aviaries than litter.

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“…Consequently, before or after eggshell formation, developing eggs can be exposed to bacteria. Eggs from free-range systems were typically more contaminated than those from cage systems (De Reu et al 2008). New data from extensive surveys in Europe and Australia have shown that reproductive tract infections such as salpingitis and peritonitis are more common in layers in non-cage or litter-based (Tauson et al 1999) and free-range systems Fossum et al 2009;Neubauer et al 2009), providing a strong link between a contaminated environment and reproductive tract diseases.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The potential for probiotics to prevent reproductive tract lesions in free-range laying hens

Shini

Blackall

2013

Anim. Prod. Sci.

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Abstract.A study was undertaken to investigate the ability of two commercial probiotics applied in free-range laying hens (from 18 to 22 weeks of age) in reducing the occurrence of reproductive tract pathologies, and improving hen health and performance. In all, 630 17-week-old brown layers were transferred to a freshly cleaned free-range laying facility, and randomly divided into three groups, with three replicates of 70 birds each. Both probiotics were administered in the drinking water (Groups 1 and 2) on a daily basis for 4 weeks, while Group 3 was left untreated. At 38 weeks of age, the results demonstrated that treatment with either probiotic significantly reduced the occurrence of reproductive tract pathologies (control vs probiotics, 33% vs 22% and 11%; P < 0.01), mortalities (control vs probiotics; 3.8% vs 1.5 and 1.9%; P < 0.01), and increased the performance of hens, for another 20 weeks post-treatments (hen day production for control vs probiotics 75% vs 90% and 94%; P < 0.01). Birds treated with probiotics maintained their bodyweight and egg weights at standard ranges, while untreated birds did not perform at this level. Although we were unable to show any effect on cloacal bacterial colonisation, the results of the present study provided some initial evidence that reproductive pathologies that often cause drops in egg production and sudden deaths of birds, can be reduced if free range hens are treated with a commercial probiotic before or during the onset of lay. The use of a probiotic benefits the health and performance status of hens, resulting in better hen welfare and significant economic gains to egg producers.

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Bacterial contamination of table eggs and the influence of housing systems

Cited by 106 publications

References 60 publications

Prevalence, assessment, and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Salmonella from raw chicken eggs in Haramaya, Ethiopia

Prevalence, assessment, and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Salmonella from raw chicken eggs in Haramaya, Ethiopia

Effects of laying hens housing system on laying performance, egg quality characteristics, and egg microbial contamination

The potential for probiotics to prevent reproductive tract lesions in free-range laying hens

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