Use of membrane filtration for the recovery of campylobacter from raw chicken carcasses purchased at retail markets in Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico

Authors: SOTO-BELTRAN, MARCELA - Autonomous University Of Sinaloa; Quinones, Beatriz; IBARRA RODRIGUEZ, ANGEL - Autonomous University Of Sinaloa; AMEZQUITA-LOPEZ, BIANCA - Autonomous University Of Sinaloa

Submitted to: Journal of Biosciences
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/12/2019
Publication Date: 10/11/2019
Citation: Soto-Beltran, M., Quinones, B., Ibarra Rodriguez, A., Amezquita-Lopez, B.A. 2019. Use of membrane filtration for the recovery of campylobacter from raw chicken carcasses purchased at retail markets in Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico. Journal of Biosciences. 7:e698. https://doi.org/10.15741/revbio.07.e698.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15741/revbio.07.e698

Interpretive Summary: Campylobacter is responsible for the highest percentage of gastroenteritis worldwide. Campylobacter species are found in the intestinal of domestic animals and widely distributed geographically. The most frequently isolated species in patients with gastroenteritis are Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli, which collectively cause about 95% of human infections. The ability of both species to colonize and survive in a wide variety of animal species and habitats makes it challenging to control these pathogens. A large portion of Campylobacter infections has been attributed to the consumption of contaminated raw or undercooked poultry, unpasteurized milk or dairy products, untreated water, as well as direct contact with farm animals. C. jejuni and C. coli can lead to campylobacteriosis, an infection characterized with diarrhea, cramps, abdominal pain and fever. The diarrhea may be bloody and can be accompanied by nausea and vomiting (CDC 2015). The infection usually lasts about one week. In severe cases of C. jejuni infections, some individuals may develop autoimmune neuropathies after infection such as Guillain-Barré and Miller Fischer syndromes. Chicken meat is a nutritious and healthy food, which is low in fat and cholesterol compared to other meats. It is also an excellent source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. In Mexico, the consumption of poultry products has significantly increased in the last decade, and the production of chicken meat products has been expected to continue growing at a rate of 7% annually. This increased consumption of poultry products has led consequently to human foodborne disease. Additionally, malpractices during handling, cooking, or post-cooking storage of poultry meat products may contribute to campylobacteriosis. The methods of isolation of C. jejuni and C. coli from food matrices require enrichment step for efficient recovery. For the isolation of Campylobacter from food or environmental samples, methodologies employ the use of a variety of enrichment mediums, the incorporation of antibiotics to reduce microbial flora, and the use of filtration methods to improve isolation of bacterial isolates. Given that the consumption of poultry meat and its processed products are of public health significance, the objective of the present study is to provide information on the prevalence of C. jejuni and C. coli from chicken meat sold at retail markets in the metropolitan Culiacan Municipality, located in Northwestern Mexico. Currently, there is limited available information on the levels of C. jejuni and C. coli in chicken meat products sold at retail markets in metropolitan cities in Mexico. Therefore, the results from this study will aid in the development of surveillance measures to improve food safety and quality among consumers in Mexico.

Technical Abstract: Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli are responsible for human gastroenteritis worldwide, and the consumption of raw and undercooked poultry contributes to human infections. The present study examined the prevalence of C. jejuni and C. coli from retail chicken carcasses, purchased from local markets in the Culiacan Municipality in Sinaloa, Mexico. To improve the recovery of Campylobacter, the package liquid from the chicken carcasses was subjected to an overnight enrichment under microaerophilic conditions. The presence of C. jejuni and C. coli was further determined by PCR amplification of the lpxA gene. Presumptive Campylobacter colonies were recovered from 33.3% (10/30) of the chicken carcasses purchased from 63.6% (7/11) of the retail markets examined. Genotyping assays revealed C. jejuni to be the prevalent species found. This study identified for the first time C. jejuni in retail chicken meats in Northwestern Mexico and provided valuable information for monitoring Campylobacter in retail meats.