Enumeration of Salmonella and Campylobacter spp. in Environmental Farm Samples and Processing Plant Carcass Rinses from Commercial Broiler Chicken Flocks

Abstract

A prospective cohort study was performed to evaluate the prevalences and loads of Salmonella and Campylobacter spp. in farm and processing plant samples collected from 55 commercial broiler chicken flocks. Environmental samples were collected from broiler houses within 48 h before slaughter, and carcass rinses were performed on birds from the same flocks at 4 different stages of processing. Salmonella was detected in farm samples of 50 (90.9%) flocks and in processing samples of 52 (94.5%) flocks. Campylobacter was detected in farm samples of 35 (63.6%) flocks and in processing samples of 48 (87.3%) flocks. There was a significant positive relationship between environmental farm samples and processing plant carcass rinses with respect to both Salmonella and Campylobacter prevalences and loads. Campylobacter loads were significantly higher than Salmonella loads, and the correlations between samples collected from the same flocks were higher for Campylobacter than they were for Salmonella. Boot socks were the most sensitive sample type for detection of Salmonella on the farm, whereas litter samples had the strongest association with Salmonella loads in pre-and postchill carcass rinses. Boot socks, drag swabs, and fecal samples all had similar sensitivities for detecting Campylobacter on the farm, and all were more strongly associated with Campylobacter loads in carcass rinses than were litter samples. Farm samples explained a greater proportion of the variability in carcass rinse prevalences and loads for Campylobacter than they did for Salmonella. Salmonella and Campylobacter prevalences and loads both decreased significantly as birds progressed through the processing plant.

Quantitative surveys of Salmonella and Campylobacter on retail raw chicken in Yangzhou, China

“…Berghaus et al (2013) reported that Campylobacter loads in postchilled samples were significantly higher than Salmonella loads, and the correlations between samples collected from the same flocks were higher for Campylobacter than Salmonella. In Northern Ireland, Salmonella and Campylobacter were found in 5.1% and 84.3% of retail raw chicken, respectively (Madden, Moran, Scates, McBride, & Kelly, 2011).…”

Salmonella and Fecal Indicator Bacteria Survival in Soils Amended with Poultry Manure

“…Quality control plans, mandatory testing of eggs, and hazard analysis at critical control points (HACCP) are used to reduce the spread of Salmonella in the Unites States (US). Despite these efforts, persistence of Salmonella (SALM) in the farm environment continues to be a concern for dairy, livestock and poultry operations, and growers of vegetables and leafy greens (CDC 2010;Jacobsen and Bech 2012;Berghaus et al 2013). Additionally, the risk of transport of manure-derived bacteria to surface and groundwater resources is a concern worldwide (Unc and Goss 2004;Dale et al 2010;WHO 2012;USEPA 2013).…”

Effects of tillage and poultry manure application rates on Salmonella and fecal indicator bacteria concentrations in tiles draining Des Moines Lobe soils

“…In the US state of Iowa, alone, over 15 billion eggs are produced annually (UDSA-NASS, 2014), resulting in the generation of over 5.6 million Mg of fresh layer manure (Naber and Bermudez, 1990). Along with beneficial nutrients, PM commonly contains pathogenic bacteria, including Salmonella (SALM) (Kraft et al, 1969;Rodriguez et al, 2006;Berghaus et al, 2013). Once released to the environment, pathogens can be transported to recreational, irrigation, or drinking waters and pose a risk to human health (Rogers and Haines, 2005;Craun et al, 2010;Dale et al, 2010;USEPA, 2013), or compromise the bio-security of poultry facilities (CDC, 2010;Castiglioni Tessari et al, 2012).…”