Prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility of thermophilic Campylobacter species in broiler chickens

The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of thermophilic Campylobacter species in broiler chicken faecal samples and on their carcasses. The possible routes of carcass contamination were assessed from slaughterhouse to market. Furthermore, the study aimed to determine the antibiotic susceptibility of Campylobacter isolates from broilers. Thermophilic Campylobacter spp. was isolated from 393 (91.8%) of 428 samples examined. A total of 53 out of 57 rectal swab samples was positive for thermophilic Campylobacter spp. Thermophilic Campylobacter spp. were isolated from 93.6%, 92.9% and 91.3% of broiler carcass, faecal and caecal samples, respectively. No Campylobacter was isolated from scalding tank water samples. However, all samples collected from cold water tanks were found to be contaminated with thermophilic Campylobacter spp. Overall, 92.2% and 7.8% of the isolates were identified as Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli. Of the C. jejuni isolates from broiler chickens, 30.6% were resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics and 31.3% were resistant to quinolone group antibiotics. Of the C. coli isolates from broiler chickens, 30.7% were resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics and 31.2% were resistant to quinolone group antibiotics. With these results we conclude that the widespread faecal contamination of broiler carcasses in broiler farms in Kinkkale with thermophilic Campylobacter spp. constitutes a risk for public health. This study once more indicates the application of a preventive system such as HACCP (Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Points) is strongly required in the contamination control of campylobacters in broiler farms and slaughterhouses.