Dynamic of Campylobacter Species Contamination Along a Poultry Slaughtering Chain

The prevalence of Campylobacters was studied in a poultry farm and along the slaughtering chain. Fifteen swabs from a farm and 75 samples (swabs and rinsates) from its slaughterhouse were collected. All the faecal and cloacal farm swabs were contaminated by Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli against 50% for breast swabs. C. jejuni had a concentration of 6.26, 6.34 and 5.38 Log₁₀ CFU/mL in faecal, cloacal and breast swabs respectively. Rinsates showed an almost constant concentration of Campylobacters (6 Log₁₀ CFU/mL) with a predominance of the presumptive C. jejuni. C. lari was found in 22% of eviscerated samples. Faecal coliforms and E. coli, used as indicators, were detected in all samples (5.46 and 5.15 Log₁₀ CFU/mL, respectively). Final chilling and chlorine (50 ppm) treatments decreased them to acceptable levels, unlike for Campylobacters. Further investigation of the dynamics of Campylobacters and their response to prevention and treatment measures is required.