ARS | Publication request: DIRECT MICROSCOPIC DETERMINATION OF VIABILITY OF CAMPYLOBACTER JEJUNI ON CHICKEN SKIN

Submitted to: Campylobacter Helicobacter and Related Organisms International Workshop
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: July 1, 2003
Publication Date: October 1, 2003
Citation: Frank, J.F., Chantarapanont, W., Berrang, M.E. 2003. Direct microscopic determination of viability of campylobacter jejuni on chicken skin. [abstract] Campylobacter Helicobacter and Related Organisms International Workshop. 293(suppl.35):26.

Technical Abstract: A method was developed to examine survival of Campylobacter jejuni at micro-scale sites on chicken skin. Campylobacter jejun,i transformed with Pcgfp plasmid (GFP-Campylobacter), was placed in contact with chicken skin. Following staining with 5-cyano-2,3-ditolyl tetrazolium chloride (CTC), GFP-Campylobacter (live and dead cells) and the red fluorescent CTC-formazan in viable cells could be visualized using confocal laser scanning laser microscopy (CSLM). After rinsing inoculated skin, cells could be seen in crevices, entrapped inside feather follicles with water and in the surface water layer. Skin crevices and feather follicles provided a suitable microenvironment for survival of Campylobacter. Although the overall numbers of C. jejuni on chicken skin decreased by 1 log unit during storage at 25 C for 24 hr, cells located 20-30 m beneath the skin surface maintained viability . Storage of chicken skin at 4 C for 72hr caused no significant changes in the numbers of C. jejuni in feather follicles or crevices. CSLM observations of GFP-producing cells stained with CTC allowed identification of survival niches for C. jejuni present on chicken skin.