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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Athens, Georgia » U.S. National Poultry Research Center » Poultry Microbiological Safety and Processing Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #324516
Title: Molecular approaches for the characterization of foodborne pathogens in poultry

Author
item Hiett, Kelli
item Rothrock, Michael
item Plumblee Lawrence, Jodie

Submitted to: Campylobacter Helicobacter and Related Organisms International Workshop
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/26/2015
Publication Date: 11/1/2015
Citation: Hiett, K.L., Rothrock Jr, M.J., Plumblee, J. 2015. Molecular approaches for the characterization of foodborne pathogens in poultry[abstract]. Campylobacter Helicobacter and Related Organisms International Workshop.

Interpretive Summary: none

Technical Abstract: Background: The transmission of Campylobacter spp. and baseline level of antimicrobial resistance associated with these organisms has significant implications for environmental, animal, and human health. One focus is the use of antibiotics in animal agriculture and the effects on antibiotic resistant bacterial populations within those systems; however, before this causal effect can be elucidated, a greater understanding of the transmission of subtypes and the background levels of antibiotic resistance is needed. Methods: An all-natural, multi-species, farm was sampled prior to placement of a pasture-raised broiler flock as well as during the entire “farm-to-fork” continuum. Samples included soil and feces from all animals during grow-out, cecal contents and carcass rinses from broilers during processing, and carcass rinses of the final broiler products delivered to the consumer. Traditional culture methods, as well as the Campycheck method, were used to recover Campylobacter spp. Isolates were subtyped using flaA SVR, while antimicrobial sensitivity profiles were determined using the CDC¹s NARMS protocol. Conclusions: A variety of subtypes were identified from both broilers and other animals during broiler flock production. However, no Campylobacter spp. were recovered from the final consumer product. These results demonstrate that processing methods can ameliorate the transmission of pathogens in these all-natural production systems. Additionally, the transmission of resistance should be considered when determining the causal effect of antibiotic use within the production animals to the proliferation of antibiotic resistance organisms.