ARS | Publication request: ISOLATION AND ENUMERATION OF CAMPYLOBACTER SPECIES FROM DAY-OF-BIRTH PIGLETS TO MARKET-AGE PIGS FROM COMMERCIAL SWINE OPERATIONS

Submitted to: Rushmore Conference on Mechanisms in Pathogenesis of Enteric Diseases
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: October 1, 1998
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: A survey was conducted to establish the prevalence of Campylobacter in pigs from different swine operations in Texas. This study was carried out in three different groups of pigs: 1) market-age pigs, 2) gilts, and 3) piglets from the day of birth until weaned (Day 14). Rectal swabs and/or cecal samples were collected from each pig, for a total of 700 pigs sampled. Campylobacter were cultured by enrichment in Bolton broth for 24 hours, followed by streaking onto Campy-Cephex agar for 48 hours in a microaerophillic environment. Campylobacter were enumerated by serially diluting samples directly onto Campy-Cephex agar plates. Campylobacter species identification was achieved using both biochemical and serological techniques. The prevalence rate for Campylobacter in market-age pigs was 92%, with 60% C. coli and 31% C. jejuni, with a mean concentration of log10 4.65 cfu/g cecal content. The prevalence rate for Campylobacter in gilts was 21% for C. coli, 76% for C. jejuni and 2.5% for C. lari, with a mean concentration of log10 5.73 cfu/g cecal content. The prevalence rate for C. jejuni with a mean concentration of log10 7.56 cfu/g cecal contents. Thus, it appears that pigs, from day of birth, are highly susceptible to cecal colonization by different isolates of Campylobacter.