Transmission of Campylobacter spp. to chickens during transport to slaughter.

AIMS

To determine the prevalence of Campylobacter-contaminated transport crates and to determine whether contaminated crates represent a risk for contamination of chickens during transport to slaughter.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Samples were collected from cleaned transport crates before they were dispatched to the farms. Chicken groups were sampled within 24 h before transport to slaughter and at the slaughterhouse. Campylobacter spp. were isolated from 69 of 122 (57%) sampled batches of transport crates. Twenty-six slaughter groups, negative at farm level, were transported in batches of crates from which Campylobacter spp. had been isolated. In 11 (42%) of these 26 slaughter groups, Campylobacter spp. were found in samples taken at slaughter. The corresponding figure for at-farm-negative slaughter groups transported in negative crates was four (15%) testing positive at slaughterhouse of 27 slaughter groups [relative risk (RR) = 2.9, 95% CI 1.1-7.3]. In four of 11 slaughter groups, genetic subtyping by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis was able to support the hypothesis of contamination from crates to chickens during transport to slaughter.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite washing and disinfection, crates were frequently contaminated with Campylobacter and it could have contaminated chickens during transport to slaughter.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Campylobacter-positive crates are a risk factor for chickens testing campylobacter-positive at slaughter.