Prevalence and factors affecting the presence of Campylobacter spp. in broiler carcasses in Bulgaria

In an 11-month study, 292 samples from 13 slaughterhouses in Bulgaria were investigated for the presence of Campylobacter spp., and some factors affecting Campylobacter prevalence were analyzed. The study revealed that 44.9% of the samples were positive for Campylobacter spp. The main species detected were C. coli and C. jejuni. There was also one confirmed C. lari isolate. The C. coli strains prevailed over C. jejuni at 61.8% and 37.4%, respectively. A seasonal variation in the Campylobacter spp. presence in slaughter broiler carcasses was found with a predominance of positive isolates during June and July 2008. The conventional type of rearing was responsible for higher Campylobacter contamination (52.2%) of broiler carcasses compared to free-range rearing (38.5%). The impact of the chilling technology (spray, immersion, or air-chilling) on the Campylobacter presence in broiler carcasses was also analyzed.