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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Athens, Georgia » U.S. National Poultry Research Center » Egg and Poultry Production Safety Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #413833
Research Project: Reduction of Foodborne Pathogens and Antimicrobial Resistance in Poultry Production Environments

Location: Egg and Poultry Production Safety Research Unit

Title: Campylobacter diversity along the farm-to-fork continuum of pastured poultry flocks in the southeastern United States

Author
item AL HAKEEM, WALID - Department Of Energy
item Oladeinde, Adelumola
item Li, Xiang
item Rothrock Jr, Michael

Submitted to: Poultry Science Association Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/15/2024
Publication Date: 7/1/2024
Citation: Al Hakeem, W.G., Oladeinde, A.A., Li, X., Rothrock Jr, M.J. 2024. Campylobacter diversity along the farm-to-fork continuum of pastured poultry flocks in the southeastern United States. Poultry Science Association Meeting Abstract. p. 518.

Interpretive Summary: N/A

Technical Abstract: Consumer demand for all-natural, antibiotic-free poultry products has led to an increase in pastured poultry operations within the US. Given the increased level of environmental interaction and the potential increase in exposure to foodborne pathogens, a greater understanding of the prevalence and diversity of Campylobacter populations inherent within pastured poultry flocks is needed. To achieve this, 40 pastured poultry flocks from nine farms were sampled using a farm-to-fork strategy, and Campylobacter was isolated and characterized from pre-harvest (feces, soil) through post-harvest (ceca, whole carcass rinse) to the final product the consumer would purchase (whole carcass rinse). All data were analyzed using R software, when P =0.05, means were separated using Tukey’s HSD. Campylobacter was isolated from 929 of 2005 samples, showing an overall prevalence of 46.33%. The ceca showed the highest (P < 0.05) Campylobacter load (4.64 log10 CFU/ml) and prevalence (95.5%) while the final product had the lowest (P < 0.05) Campylobacter load (0.32 log10 CFU/ml) and prevalence (15.45%), indicating that the ceca may not be an appropriate sample to assess the Campylobacter load on the final product. Of the 929 positive samples, 337 Campylobacter isolates were selected for further characterization. Campylobacter jejuni was isolated from 74.18% of the positive samples (250/337), while C. coli was isolated 21.95% (74/337). While the Campylobacter isolates displayed resistance to several antibiotics, the most common resistance for both C. jejuni and C. coli isolates was towards tetracycline (55.86% and 70.31%, respectively). Multidrug resistance rates (=3 antibiotics) were relatively low for both C. jejuni (2.34%) and C. coli (7.81%) isolates. Campylobacter load, prevalence, and diversity were more affected by farm location than to the type of sample from which the Campylobacter was isolated. Overall, these results indicate a need for farm-specific Campylobacter mitigation strategies to ensure the safety of these increasingly in-demand poultry products.