Campylobacter in Finisher Pigs—from Farm to Slaughter

Campylobacter excretion and diversity was investigated in three cohorts of 20 pigs from three different pig herds, respectively. Feces were collected from all pigs in the herd and after transport during lairage. Carcass swab samples were collected from all pigs preand post-chilling. All pigs (n=60) excreted Campylobacter in the herd and in the lairage. The typical excretion levels were between log 4/g and log 5.5/g feces. Pre-chilling more than 90% of carcasses were positive for Campylobacter. Post-chilling Campylobacter was isolated from only 17.5% of carcasses. Excretion levels of Campylobacter did not increase during transport and lairage. Twenty C. coli serotypes and three C. jejuni serotypes were identified. Indistinguishable C. jejuni serotype 2 isolates were detected in pigs from one farm at all sampling occasions, indicative of carcass contamination. C. jejuni was isolated more often post-chilling, relative to C. col