International Journal of Food Processing Technology, 2017, 4, 41-52 41
E-ISSN: 2408-9826/17 © 2017 Cosmos Scholars Publishing House
Reducing Risk of Campylobacteriosis from Poultry: A Mini Review
Nion Sukted
1,2
, Pravate Tuitemwong
2
, Larry E. Erickson
1,*
, Taradon Luangtongkum
3
, Nipa
Chokesajjawatee
4
, and Kooranee Tuitemwong
5
1
Department of Chemical Engineering, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
2
Department of Microbiology, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, Bang Mod, Thung Khru,
Bangkok 10140, Thailand
3
Department of Veterinary Public Health, Chulalongkorn University, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
4
National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology
Development Agency, Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand
5
Department of Microbiology, Kasetsart University, Ladyaow, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
Abstract: The worldwide annual cost of campylobacteriosis is at least several billion dollars. Risk analysis is being used
to reduce the magnitude of the problem and to support regulations and voluntary actions that are successful in that the
number of cases of illness is decreasing. The new regulations in the U.S. have resulted in commercial products with
fewer Campylobacter. During the last 16 years there has been significant progress in New Zealand because of new
regulations that have resulted in reduced numbers of Campylobacter on marketed products. While some progress has
been made in reducing cross contamination, it remains an important issue. Food safety education on the general
principles of food hygiene and food handling as well as applications of hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP)
principles in food safety management are recommended to address the challenges associated with cross contamination.
Economic analysis of campylobacteriosis and the poultry meat industry shows that there are significant benefits of
addressing the challenges associated with Campylobacter in poultry products. Freezing has been shown to be an
excellent cost-effective method to reduce the number of viable Campylobacter and the number of cases of
campylobacteriosis.
Keywords: Campylobacter, Communication, Food safety, Regulations, Risk reduction.
INTRODUCTION
Campylobacteriosis is of concern in many parts of
the world and there is much that can be done to reduce
the number of infections [1-100]. Campylobacter is a
zoonotic pathogen that is often present in poultry as a
commensal organism [1, 2]. The optimum growth
temperature is 41-42°C and the optimum atmosphere is
5% oxygen, 10% carbon dioxide, and 85% nitrogen [3].
Campylobacter colonize and grow in the cecum part of
the intestine of poultry and are released in the feces. In
2013, the estimated cost of the food-borne illness
campylobacteriosis in the USA was approximately $1.9
billion [2, 4]. Many individuals in many countries have
experienced diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain, and
fever for 2 to 5 days because of ingestion of
Campylobacter. In many countries, campylobacteriosis
is the most frequently reported zoonotic disease in
humans [5-7]. The world campylobacteriosis cases
during 2005 to 2013 are shown in Table 1. In some
cases campyobacteriosis leads to Guillain-Barre
syndrome (GBS), reactive arthritis (ReA), or irritable
*
Address correspondence to this author at the Department of Chemical
Engineering, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA;
Tel: (+1) 785-532-4313; Fax: (+1) 785-532-7372;
E-mail: lerick@ksu.edu;
bowel syndrome (IBS), which affect health and care
requirements for a longer period of time [38]. The
highest risk groups of severe symptoms are young
children and older adults because of weak immune
systems [38-40]. Other people with weak immune
systems, pregnant women, and cancer patients are
among those with increased risk [38-40].
In Thailand, Campylobacter jejuni and
Campylobacter coli are found most commonly in
production and processing [41-43]. Antimicrobial
resistance is present in many cases [41]. Cross-
contamination has been found in processing plants
where broilers are slaughtered [41]. Campylobacter
spp. were isolated from 5 of 129 farmers who were
working with production of chickens [42]. There are
efforts to reduce Campylobacter in poultry in both
production and processing in Thailand [43]. Genetic
profiles of Campylobacter spp, in production and
processing have been reported [43].
A special issue of Microbial Risk Analysis on
Campylobacter was published recently [44]. It includes
a comprehensive review of quantitative risk
assessment models and consumer process models
that have been developed for Campylobacter risk