[Campylobacter fetus subsp. jejuni as a surface contaminant of fresh and chilled pig carcasses (author's transl)]

Abstract

An investigation was carried out into the occurrence of Campylobacter fetus subsp. jejuni on the surfaces of fresh and chilled pig carcasses. Swabs were taken of the water in the scald-tank, from cut surfaces, and from cut surfaces of carcasses that had been stored at 5 degrees C for 4 days. A total of 310 swabs was investigated, of which 10 were from the scald-tank, 100 from livers, 100 from cut surfaces, and 100 from cut surfaces of carcasses stored at refrigeration temperature. A specific enrichment process was employed for isolation of the bacteria. Campylobacter fetus subsp. jejuni was isolated from 43% of the liver swabs, from 56% of those from the cut surfaces, and from 32% of swabs from the cut surfaces of carcasses stored at refrigeration temperature. Campylobacter bacteria were not, however, isolated from the scald-tank. The high level of contamination found in this investigation is considered to create a possible source of Campylobacter infection for animal and Man.