Invasion and viability of Campylobacter jejuni in experimentally contaminated Japanese quails' eggs

In Japanese quail eggs experimentally immersed in a suspension of Campylobacter jejuni from human patients (Y6817, Y6878), strain Y6817 was recovered from 15 (18.8%) eggs among 80 between 0.5 hr and 72 hr after immersion. Invasion of the eggs by strain Y6878 was also seen in 10 (12.5%) of 80 eggs between 0.5 hr and 24 hr after immersion. When egg yolk was inoculated with both strains and held at 4 degrees C, the organisms were detectable for a longer time than the ones kept at 20 degrees C. On the other hand, when albumen was inoculated with both strains, the organisms died within 96 hr at 4 degrees C and within 24 hr at 20 degrees C.