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Occurrences of thermophlic Campylobacter in pigs
and pig carcasses was investigated in a cross-sectional study
that was carried out in three selected slaughter slabs in
Morogoro municipality, Tanzania. Before sampling, the slab
hygiene, slaughter, carcass dressing, and meat handling was
assessed. Fecal samples were collected from 66 slaughter pigs
at the kill floor. After slaughter, a 100-cm 2 area on medial
surface of the thigh muscles of dressed carcasses was sampled
using sterile cotton swabs. Thereafter, the jejunal, cecal, and
colon contents were also sampled. The samples were
subjected to standard bacteriological examination using
Skirrows protocol. In all slaughter slabs visited, it was found
that pig slaughter, dressing, and meat handling was done on
the ground under unhygienic condition. All the slaughter slab
environment were dirty and had neither tap water or drainage
systems. Thermophilic Campylobacter prevalence in slaugh-
tered pig was 66.7% while contamination rate of dressed
carcasses was 10.6%. Of the Campylobacter-positive car-
casses, five (12.2%) were from the animals which were also
positive to Campylobacter. The isolation rate of Campylobac-
ter in the cecum was higher (34.8%) compared to the small
intestines (28.8%) and colon (16.7%) although the difference
was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Campylobacter
jejuni was the most prevalent species as it constituted 74%
of all isolates, while Campylobacter coli was isolated at 26%.
This suggests possible risks of infection to people through
consumption of contaminated pork or through contact with
infected pigs. Cecum was found to be the major part of
intestine highly colonized by Campylobacter. |
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