Detection and Quantification of in Poultry Slaughterhouses Using Conventional Microbiological Technique, Most Probable Number, and Real-Time PCR.

Campylobacteriosis is one of the most common bacteria causing human gastroenteritis. Poultry is a major reservoir of spp. as well as the main source of transmission. Due to the increased occurrence of campylobacteriosis, poultry slaughterhouses are under pressure to deliver carcasses with low contamination. However, a few studies have been carried out to evaluate contamination of broiler carcasses in Brazilian slaughter lines. Therefore, in this study, we aimed at detecting and quantifying the thermotolerant spp. at different stages of the poultry slaughtering process. The samples were collected from 12 points in three slaughterhouses in southern Brazil, at an interval of 12 months, and were tested for spp. by conventional microbiological technique, the most probable number, and real-time PCR. A total of 432 samples were analyzed. The majority of strains belonged to (92%), and the flock positivity among the three techniques was similar in most cases. was detected in all slaughtering stages. Although contamination has remained similar ( > 0.05) throughout almost all the slaughter process, evisceration seemed to be an important source of contamination. Our results reinforce the idea that the final carcass quality after the slaughtering process is directly influenced by the level of contamination of the broiler flocks on arrival at the processing plant.