Isolation of Campylobacter species in slaughter animals and in a slaugtherhouse environment
Kursteiner, P.; Schifferli, D.; Lanz, E.; Burgi, I.; Erb, C.
Schweizer Archiv für Tierheilkunde 127(3): 231-238
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-7281 PMID: 3992238 Document Number: 256503
Samples were taken from 82 calves, 40 cattle and 40 swine in an abattoir. From faeces Campylobacter spp. were isolated from 65.8% of calves (46.3% were C. jejuni), 40% of beef cattle (32.5% C. jejuni) and 72.5% of swine (all C. coli and Campylobacter sp. NARTC). Campylobacter spp. were found on the carcass surface of 22% of calves, 5% of beef cattle but none on pigs. 34.3% of samples taken in the area around the swine conveyer belt were positive, and 10% of those taken from around the cattle conveyer belt. Anal swab tests from 12 abattoir employees were all negative. There were no C. coli found in samples from calves and no C. jejuni in swine. Enriching the collected rinsing water was the most sensitive method of isolation. Making an impression with rodac plates was also more effective than taking samples with swabs or bandage material.