Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter from antibiotic-free broilers during organic and conventional processing

Authors: BAILEY, M - Purdue University; TAYLOR, R - Purdue University; BRAR, J - Purdue University; CORKRAN, S - Purdue University; VELASQUEZ, C - Purdue University; NOVOA, RAMA - Purdue University; OLIVER, H - Purdue University; SINGH, M - Purdue University

Submitted to: Poultry Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/2019
Publication Date: 3/1/2019
Citation: Bailey, M.A., Taylor, R.M., Brar, J.S., Corkran, S.C., Velasquez, C., Novoa, R.E., Oliver, H.F., Singh, M. 2019. Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter from antibiotic-free broilers during organic and conventional processing. Poultry Science. 98(3):1447-1454. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps/pey486.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3382/ps/pey486

Interpretive Summary: Campylobacter is an important poultry-borne pathogen and is now the leading cause of foodborne illnesses. In addition, the use of antibiotics has been an issue of contention in poultry production and processing systems. Therefore, it is important to investigate the impact that eliminating antibiotic use on the farms has on the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter. This study showed that fewer organic birds were contaminated with Campylobacter and those that were had smaller populations of presumptive Campylobacter during early processing steps, but no differences were observed between organic and conventional birds in later steps, with the exception of a lower frequency of contamination in organic birds. These observations show that organic methods can be associated with lower initial Campylobacter levels than conventional methods, although appropriate processing interventions result in similar Campylobacter populations in processed birds. The prevalence of antimicrobial resistant Campylobacter populations in chickens was not affected by the use of antibiotics. These results indicate that processors can achieve similar levels of food safety by using appropriate interventions during processing with either conventional or organic poultry production methods.

Technical Abstract: Campylobacter is one of the leading cause of foodborne illness in the US and worldwide, especially linked to poultry and poultry products. In recent years, the increasing popularity of organic chicken products and chickens raised without antibiotics (RWA) has resulted in more companies adopting organic and antibiotic-free production and processing methods; however, it is not evident what effect these practices have on pathogens such as Campylobacter. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of RWA and organic methods on the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of Campylobacter. Samples were collected from a processing facility that used organic and conventional methods to process RWA broilers. Samples included fecal grab samples from incoming birds, carcass rinses at important steps throughout processing, and environmental samples including equipment swabs, water samples, and air samples. Samples were analyzed for prevalence of Campylobacter by enrichment, and populations of presumptive Campylobacter were quantified. Isolates collected in this study were analyzed for AMR according to the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) protocol. Results showed that organic birds had a lower prevalence (P < 0.05) of Campylobacter and lower populations of presumptive Campylobacter during early processing steps, but no differences (P >0.05) between organic and conventional birds were seen post-chill, with the exception of a lower prevalence in post-water-chill organic birds. These observations show that organic methods can be associated with lower initial Campylobacter levels than conventional methods, although appropriate processing interventions result in similar Campylobacter populations post-chill,regardless of processing method. Prevalence of AMR Campylobacter in chickens at slaughter suggest that raising birds without the use of antimicrobials may not be effective in reducing the incidence of AMR Campylobacter in chicken.