Prevalence of thermophilic Campylobacter spp. in slaughtered pigs in the Czech Republic, 2001-2003

Abstract

The prevalence of thermophilic Campylobacter spp. was evaluated in the caecum and on carcasses of pigs at slaughter and in the facilities of slaughterhouses in the period of 2001- 2003. During that timeframe, prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in both the pigs and the environment of slaughterhouses decreased. In 2001, Campylobacter spp. were detected in 34% of 316 samples; in 2002 there were 27% of positive findings out of the 624 samples; and in 2003, Campylobacter spp. were detected in 16% out of 300 samples. Campylobacter spp. were mostly found primarily in the caecum (292 isolates) and in smears collected from carcasses (21 isolates), while Campylobacter spp. were isolated only sporadically from the work surfaces of equipment in slaughterhouses. The majority of isolates were identified as C. coli. In 2001, 16 out of 109 strains of Campylobacter spp. were identified as C. jejuni; in 2002, 8 out of 167 strains were C. jejuni; and in 2003, none of 47 isolates was identified as C. jejuni.