OCURRENCE OF Campylobacter sp IN BROILER FLOCKSAND CORRESPONDING CARCASSES OCORRÊNCIA DE Campylobacter sp EM LOTES DE FRANGOS DE CORTE E NAS CARCAÇAS CORRESPONDENTES

Abstract

<span><p align="justify">The aim of the present study was to assess the dissemination and levels of C<em>ampylobacter</em> contamination in broiler flocks and related carcasses. Twenty-two flocks aged 3 weeks or older were assessed, and 110 cecal droppings and 96 carcasses (38 carcasses after defeathering and 58 after the last chilling operation) were enumerated. Bolton selective enrichment broth was used for enumeration of the organism. Additionally, the carcasses were submitted to pre-enrichment for the detection of the agent at low levels of contamination. Was noted that 18.18% of broiler flocks (4/22) was not colonized by <em>Campylobacter</em>; however, their carcasses were found to be contaminated after defeathering. The mean levels of colonization of positive flocks were 7.00 log₁₀ cfu/g of cecal droppings, 5.15 log₁₀ cfu per carcass after defeathering and 4.24 log cfu per carcass after the last chilling operation. The prevalence of <em>Campylobacter</em> in carcasses after defeathering and chilling were positively correlated, whereas a reduction of around 1 log₁₀ was observed in the contamination initially found in the carcasses, showing that current measures, such as Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and Good Production Practices, are useful but insufficient for thoroughly eliminating <em>Campylobacter</em> from the end product.</p><p align="justify"> </p><p align="left">Key words: Chicken, contamination, slaughterhouse.</p></span> <span><p align="justify">O presente trabalho teve por objetivo verificar a ocorrência de <em>Campylobacter</em> em lotes de frango de corte durante a criação e nas carcaças correspondentes após o abate. Foram avaliados 22 lotes a partir das três semanas de idade, com a análise de 110 conteúdos cecais e 96 carcaças (38 após a depenadeira e 58 após o último <em>chiller</em>). Para a enumeração do <em>Campylobacter,</em> utilizou-se o caldo Bolton, analisando-se as carcaças pré-enriquecimento. Quatro (18,18%) dos lotes analisados não estavam colonizados por <em>Campylobacter,</em> mas, após a depenadeira, carcaças correspondentes estavam contaminadas. Os níveis médios de colonização dos lotes positivos foram de 7 log₁₀ufc/g de conteúdo cecal, 5,15 log₁₀ ufc/carcaça após a depenadeira e 4,24 log₁₀ ufc/carcaça após o último <em>chiller</em>. Os níveis de <em>Campylobacter</em> nas carcaças após a depenadeira e <em>chiller</em> tiveram correlação positiva. Observou-se redução de cerca de 1 log10 na contaminação inicial, demonstrando que medidas atuais, como análise de perigos e pontos críticos de controle e boas práticas de produção, são úteis, mas insuficientes para eliminar completamente <em>Campylobacter</em> do produto final.</p><p align="justify"> </p><p align="left">Palavras-chaveS: Abatedouro, aves, colonização bacteriana.</p></span>

Keywords

• Sanidade Animal