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Prevalence and characterization of Campylobacter species from chickens sold at informal chicken markets in Gauteng, South Africa.

The study determined the prevalence, risk factors, and characteristics of Campylobacter species contamination of chicken carcasses sold at informal poultry outlets in Gauteng, South Africa. Using six townships, 151 chicken carcasses were collected from 47 outlets. Carcass and cloacal swabs, as well as carcass drip, were collected from each chicken along with a matched questionnaire on risk factors regarding Campylobacter contamination. Sample-inoculated Bolton broth (BB) was cultured to isolate Campylobacter species by bacteriological methods. Then confirmation and characterization of Campylobacter were conducted using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Campylobacter strains isolated in this study were evaluated for the presence of six virulence genes (ciaB, dnaj, pldA, racR, flaA, flaB ), three toxin genes (cdtA, cdtB, cdtC) and one antimicrobial resistance gene (tetO). The overall prevalence of   Campylobacter was 23.4% (106/453) with sample type-specific prevalence being 17.2% (26/151), 25.8% (39/151), and 27.2% (41/151) for the carcass, cloacal swabs, and carcass drips, respectively. The overall prevalence of Campylobacter species was 93.5% by PCR, which varied significantly (P=0.000) by sample, 99.2%, 98.4%, and 82.8% for carcass swabs, cloacal swabs, and carcass drips, respectively . Important risk factors for carcass contamination by Campylobacter included the slaughter of culled breeders, spent chickens, poor sanitation, and the use of stagnant water. Virulence and toxin genes frequencies were higher in C. jejuni (81.5%) than in C. coli (71.4%) positive BB cultures, but tetracycline resistance gene (tetO) frequency was higher in C. coli (75.9%) than in C. jejuni (48.10%). The observed high frequencies in C. jejuni recovered from street-vended chickens may pose food safety and therapeutic concerns to consumers.