Campylobacteriosis: the role of poultry meat

Abstract

The incidence of human infections caused by Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli, the main bacterial agents of gastrointestinal disease, has been increasing worldwide. Here, we review the role of poultry as a source and reservoir for Campylobacter. Contamination and subsequent colonization of broiler flocks at the farm level often lead to transmission of Campylobacter along the poultry production chain and contamination of poultry meat at retail. Yet Campylobacter prevalence in poultry, as well as the contamination level of poultry products, vary greatly between different countries so there are differences in the intervention strategies that need to be applied. Temporal patterns in poultry do not always coincide with those found in human infections. Studies in rural and urban areas have revealed differences in Campylobacter infections attributed to poultry, as poultry seems to be the predominant reservoir in urban, but not necessarily in rural, settings. Furthermore, foreign travel is considered a major risk factor in acquiring the disease, especially for individuals living in the northern European countries. Intervention strategies aimed at reducing Campylobacter colonization in poultry and focused at the farm level have been successful in reducing the number of Campylobacter cases in several countries. Increasing farm biosecurity and education of consumers are likely to limit the risk of infection. Overall, poultry is an important reservoir and source of human campylobacteriosis, although the contribution of other sources, reservoirs and transmission warrants more research.

Broilerlerden İzole Edilen Termofilik Campylabacter’lerin Genotipik, Antimikrobiyal Direnç ve Virulens Profilleri

“…Of the 25 Campylobacter species described to date, Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli are the most frequently reported foodborne pathogens responsible for human gastroenteritis in both developing and developed countries [1] . Although thermophilic Campylobacters can colonize on the intestinal flora of many animal species, poultry (especially commercial chicken) are the main reservoir of Campylobacter spp.…”

Campylobacter in the environment: A major threat to public health

“…Chicken carcasses obtained from supermarkets and slaughterhouses were found to be heavily contaminated with campylobacters [25][26][27]. The source of carcass' contamination is the birds themselves, yet the processing and packing could cause crosscontamination [25,27]. Epidemiological data showed significant evidence indicating that undercooked chicken meat and/or handling of chicken is a major source of Campylobacter enteritis in the communities [25,27].…”

“…The source of carcass' contamination is the birds themselves, yet the processing and packing could cause crosscontamination [25,27]. Epidemiological data showed significant evidence indicating that undercooked chicken meat and/or handling of chicken is a major source of Campylobacter enteritis in the communities [25,27]. Similarly, several investigations reported the presence of thermotolerant campylobacters in the intestinal tract of cattle, sheep and pigs.…”

“…despite the fact that the bacterium is not one of the normal components of intestinal flora of the chickens [25]. Thus, colonization of chicken by Campylobacter is most likely due contamination of water supply of the broiler or the broiler environment [22,26,27]. Chicken carcasses obtained from supermarkets and slaughterhouses were found to be heavily contaminated with campylobacters [25][26][27].…”

“…Thus, colonization of chicken by Campylobacter is most likely due contamination of water supply of the broiler or the broiler environment [22,26,27]. Chicken carcasses obtained from supermarkets and slaughterhouses were found to be heavily contaminated with campylobacters [25][26][27]. The source of carcass' contamination is the birds themselves, yet the processing and packing could cause crosscontamination [25,27].…”