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Open Access 01-12-2018 | Review

The prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in vegetables, fruits, and fresh produce: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Authors: Hooriyeh Mohammadpour, Enayat Berizi, Saeid Hosseinzadeh, Majid Majlesi, Morteza Zare

Published in: Gut Pathogens | Issue 1/2018

Abstract

There are a number of reports indicating correlation between outbreaks of campylobacteriosis and the consumption of raw vegetables. This study is a meta-analysis on the prevalence of Campylobacter in fresh vegetables and fruits without any location limitation, which was performed through a documented review of the available resources. Relevant literature was reviewed by trained reviewers, who examined the results for the inclusion of articles in the meta-analysis. The prevalence of Campylobacter in raw vegetables, the sample source, the Campylobacter species, and the method of detection were extracted. The prevalence of Campylobacter in vegetables, fruits, and fresh produce were estimated to be 0.53%. Analysis of the various sample groups initially showed that the bean and sprouts group was the vegetable with the highest prevalence of Campylobacter (11.08%). The rate of contamination was higher when both the molecular and conventional methods were employed. The highest prevalence of Campylobacter was found in Asia (33.4%). Despite the low prevalence, consumption of raw vegetables is inherently risky because no treatment is used to inactivate the pathogens. Therefore, proper sanitation methods are recommended to treat the raw products.

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Title: The prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in vegetables, fruits, and fresh produce: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Hooriyeh Mohammadpour
Enayat Berizi
Saeid Hosseinzadeh
Majid Majlesi
Morteza Zare
Publication date: 01-12-2018
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Gut Pathogens / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1757-4749
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13099-018-0269-2

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