Incidence of Campylobacter spp. in transport cages during the transport of broilers to the slaughterhouse

The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of the occurrence of Campylobacter spp. on the surface of transport containers during various stages of the transportation of broilers to slaughterhouses located in north-eastern Poland. Sampling, sample preparation, and microbiological testing were performed according to the method given in Standard PN EN ISO 10272-1: 2007. In the last day of the birds' breeding cycle, 20 swabs were taken from internal surfaces of the crates: 10 in the first phase of transport (before loading the birds) and 10 in the second phase of transport, just before unloading the broilers at the slaughterhouse. The investigation concerned the transport of birds from 16 breeding cycles, from four farms, during nine consecutive seasons. A total of 320 samples were tested (160 were collected at the farms and 160 in three poultry slaughterhouses). The incidence of Campylobacter spp. in the first phase of transport depended on the time of the year and amounted to 7.5% in summer, 25% in spring and winter, and 35% in autumn. In the second phase of transport, the incidence significantly increased, and was the highest in summer and autumn (75%), slightly lower in spring (72.5%), and the lowest in winter (35%). An increase in the number of positive results compared to the results from the first phase of transport depended on the season, amounting to 67.5% in summer, 47% in spring, 40% in autumn, and 10% in winter Biochemical tests confirmed the presence of Campylobacter jejuni, and the results of a PCR analysis showed complete conformity with the results obtained in the biochemical tests. The results indicate a high incidence of Campylobacter spp. on the surface of transport containers, which is mainly due to inadequate hygiene of the cages brought to the farms on the day of the birds' transport to the slaughterhouse. This highlights the need to apply the strictest hygiene regimes in farms and to improve the effectiveness of the cleaning and disinfecting of cages, regardless of the time of the year. Negligence in this area favors the spread of Campylobacter spp. among the birds just before the slaughter, which increases the risk of meat contamination.