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P2-85 Dynamics of Campylobacter in Mixed Crop-livestock Farms and Cross-contamination of this Pathogen in Its Products

Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Exhibit Hall D (Indiana Convention Center)
Serajus Salaheen, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Nityananda Chowdhury, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Jose Alejandro Almario, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Mengfei Peng, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Debabrata Biswas, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Introduction: In mixed crop-livestock farms, the farmers compost the animal waste and use it to grow produces including lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, green pepper and cantaloupe. These crops can be vehicles for a variety of enteric bacterial pathogens including Campylobacter.  The source of contamination of fresh produce with enteric pathogens can frequently be traced back to environmental reservoirs associated with farm animals. Environmental factors and farming practices can affect transmission of enteric foodborne pathogens from animal reservoirs to leafy greens via soil, water and vectors. 

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the ecological surveillance of Campylobacter in mixed farm environments and its products at pre- and post-harvest levels.

Methods: Total 584 samples from five organic farms and three conventional chicken farms from Maryland and Washington DC area were collected and analyzed. For post-harvest analysis, ready to sale products were collected from five farmers markets and four chain shops in the same area. Campylobacter was identified and characterized with biochemical tests and PCR.

Results: Campylobacter prevalence in fecal samples were 36% (18/50) and 9% (9/100); in environmental samples 16.13% (10/62) and 3.70% (3/81); in feed & water samples 11.76% (8/68) and 6.25% (5/80) in organic and conventional farms, respectively. Produce samples grown in organic mixed crop-livestock farms and only organic produce farms had prevalence rate of 15.56% (7/45) and 18% (9/50), respectively, whereas no positive samples were found from conventionally grown produce (0/20). Campylobacter prevalence in produce samples collected from farmers market was 4.11% (9/219) but no positive (0/80) sample was found from conventional retail shop.

Significance: These data suggest that prevalence of Campylobacter in produces is higher in organic mixed crop-livestock farms and its products in both pre- and post-harvest levels.  Natural organic antimicrobial agents and better practices are essential to control cross-contamination of pathogens.

Back to: Poster Session - Pathogens, Epidemiology, Novel Laboratory Methods, Food Defense, Communication Outreach and Education, General Microbiology, Dairy and Other Food Commodities, Food Toxicology
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