ARS | Publication request: COMPARISON OF TWO TYPES OF PLATING MEDIA FOR DETECTION AND ENUMERATION OF CAMPYLOBACTER FROM POULTRY SAMPLES

Submitted to: International Journal of Poultry Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: December 24, 2004
Publication Date: January 3, 2005
Citation: Line, J.E., Berrang, M.E. 2005. Comparison of two types of plating media for detection and enumeration of campylobacter from poultry samples. International Journal of Poultry Science. 4(2): 81-84.

Interpretive Summary: Campylobacter is an important food-borne human pathogen. When isolating Campylobacter from samples, contaminant bacteria growing on the surface of some selective media, such as Campy-Cefex agar, can make detection and enumeration of campylobacters exceedingly difficult. Campy-Line agar was recently developed to help isolate campylobacters while eliminating most non-Campylobacter contaminants. In this study Campy-Line agar, was compared to Campy-Cefex agar for recovery of Campylobacter spp. Five samples were examined from each of 18 broiler carcasses including: feathers, skin, crop, ceca and colon. An additional 16 rinse samples from fresh fully processed commercial broiler carcasses were also examined. Campy-Line agar provided Campylobacter spp. counts that closely mirrored those found by enumeration on Campy-Cefex agar. Campy-Cefex agar generally provided slightly higher counts (P<0.05) for all sample types except skin. However, Campylobacter populations recovered with Campy-Line agar were correlated with those recovered using Campy-Cefex agar. Observations suggest that Campy-Line agar is easier to use due to the virtual absence of contaminating colonies. This information will be beneficial to scientists and technicians in government, academic and commercial analytical laboratories.

Technical Abstract: Campy-Line agar, was compared to Campy-Cefex agar for recovery of Campylobacter spp. Five samples were examined from each of 18 broiler carcasses including: feathers, skin, crop, ceca and colon. An additional 16 rinse samples from fresh fully processed commercial broiler carcasses were also examined. Campy-Line agar provided Campylobacter spp. counts that closely mirrored those found by enumeration on Campy-Cefex agar. Campy-Cefex agar generally provided slightly higher counts (P<0.05) for all sample types except skin. However, Campylobacter populations recovered with Campy-Line agar were correlated with those recovered using Campy-Cefex agar; correlation coefficient values were .94 for feathers, .95 for skin, .98 for crop, .87 for ceca and .88 for colon samples. Observations suggest that Campy-Line agar is easier to use due to the virtual absence of contaminating colonies.