Campylobacter prevalence from food, animals, human and environmental samples in Iran: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: Campylobacter regarded as a major cause of foodborne gastroenteritis in humans. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of campylobacter in food, animal and human samples of Iran. Results: Quantitative synthesis was performed from 119 articles. White meat had the highest pooled prevalence of Campylobacter spp. (43.9%). Pooled prevalence of 7.9% and 5.5% for Campylobacter, respectively, were determined for red meat and eggs from Iran. Campylobacter was seen in 14.9% of environmental samples and 8.4% of human samples. In most of the samples C. jejuni had higher frequency than C. coli. Most of the isolated Campylobacter harbored several of the known virulence related genes of this pathogen. Conclusion: Chicken was identified as the Campylobacter reservoir. As such preventive strategies in all stages of poultry production until consumption are necessary to control foodborne human infection with Campylobacter in Iran.