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

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study was to assess the dissemination and levels of Campylobacter 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 Campylobacter; 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 Campylobacter 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 Campylobacter from the end product. Key words Chicken, contamination, slaughterhouse.

RESUMO

O presente trabalho teve por objetivo verificar a ocorrência de Campylobacter 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 chiller). Para a enumeração do Campylobacter, utilizou-se o caldo Bolton, analisando-se as carcaças pré-enriquecimento. Quatro (18,18%) dos lotes analisados não estavam colonizados por Campylobacter, 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 chiller. Os níveis de Campylobacter nas carcaças após a depenadeira e chiller 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 Campylobacter do produto final. Palavras-chaveS Abatedouro, aves, colonização bacteriana.