Ricerca ed identificazione di Campylobacter spp. in carcasse bovine

Thermophilic Campylobacter spp. were isolated and identified from 50 rinsing water samples obtained from cattle carcasses from a limited-capacity slaughterhouse, between February and March 2007, to determine the incidence and prevalence of species of Campylobacter and the potential risk to human health. The conventional culture technique, followed by a rapid latex agglutination test utilization, and molecular method (PCR followed by DNA sequencing) for the isolation and identification of thermophilic Campylobacter were used. Thermophilic Campylobacter spp. were detected in four (8%) and in six (12%) samples using bacteriological and molecular method, respectively. C. jejuni was found to be the only observed species. The results show a low level of Campylobacter spp. contamination in cattle carcasses