ISSN 2736-1756
Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2017
Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr
© 2017 International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Detection and identification of Campylobacter spp. from retail raw chicken, turkey, sheep and goat meat in Ahvaz, Iran
Ebrahim Rahimi1*, Hamid Reza Kazemeini2, Saman Safaei3, Karim Allahbakhshi3, Manouchehr Momeni4, Majid Riahi4
1Department of Food Hygiene, College of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Shahr-e Kord Branch, Shahr-e Kord, Iran.
2Young Researchers Club, Islamic Azad University, Shahr-e Kord Branch, Shahr-e Kord, Iran.
3Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Shahr-e Kord Branch, Shahr-e Kord, Iran.
4Biotechnology Research Center, Islamic Azad University, Shahr-e Kord Branch, Shahr-e Kord, Iran.
Accepted 17 June, 2017
Abstract
Campylobacter species are common bacterial pathogens causing gastroenteritis in humans worldwide and the consumption of poultry meats is suspected to be the leading cause of this illness. This study was therefore conducted to determine the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. from retail raw meats in Ahvaz, Iran. From July 2009 to February 2010, a total of 215 raw meat samples from chicken (n = 60), turkey (n = 50), sheep (n = 50) and goat (n = 45) were purchased from randomly selected retail outlets in Ahvaz, Iran and were evaluated for the presence of Campylobacter. Campylobacter spp. isolated from 60 of 215 meat samples (27.9%) examined. The highest prevalence of Campylobacter spp. was found in chicken meat (61.7%), followed by turkey meat (36.0%), sheep meat (6.0%) and goat meat (4.4%). The most prevalence Campylobacter species isolated from meat samples was Campylobacter jejuni (88.3%), the remaining isolates were Campylobacter coli (11.7%). All 60 Campylobacter strains identified as C. jejuni and C. coli were also positive by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Significantly higher prevalence rates of Campylobacter spp. (P < 0.05) were found in the meat samples taken in summer (44.1%). Furthermore, to ensure food safety, poultry meats must be properly cooked before consuming.
Key words: Campylobacter, raw meat, chicken, turkey, sheep, goat.