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Gut Pathogens
Published in: Gut Pathogens 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research

Prevalence, genotyping and risk factors of thermophilic Campylobacter spreading in organic turkey farms in Germany

Authors: Marwa Fawzy El Metwaly Ahmed, Hosny El-Adawy, Helmut Hotzel, Herbert Tomaso, Heinrich Neubauer, Nicole Kemper, Joerg Hartung, Hafez Mohamed Hafez

Published in: Gut Pathogens | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Background

The need for organic food of animal origin has increased rapidly in recent years. However, effects of organic animal husbandry on food safety have not been rigorously tested especially in meat turkey flocks. This study provides for the first time an overview on the prevalence and genetic diversity of Campylobacter species (spp.) in five organic meat turkey farms located in different regions in Germany, as well as on potential risk factors of bacterial spreading. Thirty cloacal swabs as well as water samples and darkling beetles were collected from each flock and examined for the presence of Campylobacter by conventional and molecular biological methods. The isolates were genotyped by flaA-RFLP.

Results

Campylobacter spp. were detected in cloacal swabs in all 5 turkey flocks with prevalence ranged from 90.0 to 100 %. 13 cloacal swabs collected from birds in farm III and IV were harboured mixed population of thermophilic campylobacters. In total, from 158 Campylobacter isolated from turkeys 89 (56.33 %) were identified as C. coli and 69 (43.76 %) as C. jejuni. Three Campylobacter (2 C. jejuni and 1 C. coli) were detected in drinkers of two farms and 3 C. coli were isolated from darkling beetles of one farm. No Campylobacter were isolated from main water tanks. flaA-RFLP assay showed that turkey farms can harbour more than one genotype. In a single turkey two different genotypes could be detected. The genotypes of campylobacters isolated from water samples or beetles were identical with those isolated from turkeys. No effect was found of some environmental parameters [ammonia concentration (NH3), carbon dioxide concentration (CO2), relative humidity (RH) and air temperature)] on Campylobacter prevalence in organic turkey farms. Additionally, drinking water and darkling beetles might be considered as risk factors for the spreading of Campylobacter in turkey flocks.

Conclusions

This study highlights the high prevalence and genotypic diversity of Campylobacter spp. isolated from organic turkey flocks. Further research is needed to assess other potential risk factors responsible for bacteria spreading in order to mitigate the spread of Campylobacter in organic turkey flocks by improving biosecurity control measures.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Prevalence, genotyping and risk factors of thermophilic Campylobacter spreading in organic turkey farms in Germany
Authors
Marwa Fawzy El Metwaly Ahmed
Hosny El-Adawy
Helmut Hotzel
Herbert Tomaso
Heinrich Neubauer
Nicole Kemper
Joerg Hartung
Hafez Mohamed Hafez
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Gut Pathogens / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1757-4749
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13099-016-0108-2

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