The prevalence, counts and antimicrobial suspectibility of thermophilic Campylobacter spp. in fresh chicken meat at Estonian retail level

Abstract

Thermophilic Campylobacter spp. are one of the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis in European Union and the illness is frequently associated with the consumption of chicken meat. The aim of the present study is to give an overview about the prevalence, counts and antimicrobial susceptibility of Campylobacter spp. in fresh chicken meat at the Estonian retail level. Campylobacter spp. was isolated in 77 (35%) of 220 meat samples. Altogether, 24 (20.3%) of Estonian origin, 41 (50%) of Lithuanian origin and 12 (60%) of Latvian origin chicken fresh meat samples were positive for Campylobacter at Estonian retail level. The highest counts of Campylobacter spp., on average 2600 CFU g-1, were detected in the chicken meat of Lithuanian origin followed by on average 1600 CFU g-1 and 660 CFU g 1 in samples of Latvian and Estonian origin, respectively. The seasonal peak of Campylobacter contamination was between June and September. A total of 36 isolates (36.7%) of 98 were susceptible to all the tested antimicrobials. The highest proportion of isolates (41 isolates, 41.8%) was resistant to fluoroquinolones. Multiresistance was detected in 5 (5.1%) isolates. In conclusion, compared to fresh chicken meat products of Lithuanian and Latvian origin, the prevalence, counts and antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter spp. in fresh chicken meat of Estonian origin were lower. Therefore we suppose that the risk of occurrence of Campylobacter human infection by consuming domestic chicken meat is lower than by consuming imported chicken meat.

Keywords

• Campylobacter
• chicken meat
• prevalence
• counts
• seasonality
• antimicrobial resistance