Study of the contamination of broiler-chicken flocks to Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli at the end of a rearing period

C. jejuni and C. coli are considered as major causes of bacterial enteritis in human, worldwide. Birds are playing a substantial role in the transmission of infection. A relatively high prevalence of the infection in the rearing period leads to the cross-contamination during the slaughter processes which coincidently cause the contamination of poultry meat products. Investigation on the contamination of poultry carcasses at the end of rearing periods to C. jejuni and C. coli. In autumn 1388, total of 100 poultry farms were randomly selected, from which, 21 carcasses were chosen to collect a cecal specimen from each carcass. Each cecal contents of seven carcasses were then pooled, culture on a selective agar plate and enriched in a selective broth medium followed by culture on a selective agar plate. The isolates were finally confirmed using a multiplex-PCR assay. Total of 53.7% (70% of all the farms) were found positive using direct culture plating, whereas, 60% (76% of the farms) were positive when the samples were initially enriched in a selective broth. 31.3% to 35% and 36.7% to 40.0% of all the positives were respectively confirmed as C. jejuni and C. coli. A 6.3% increase in the isolation rate of Campylobacter, when the samples were initially enriched in the selective broth, was demonstrated. The present study revealed a considerable high prevalence of Campylobacter in poultry farms, and thus, a closer investigation on the possible risk factors involving in the contamination is essential. Furthermore, to reduce the risk of infection in human, improving the hygienic inspection in the poultry slaughter houses, is also recommended.