THE OCCURRENCE OF SALMONELLA SPP. AND CAMPYLOBACTER SPP. IN BROILER CHICKEN CARCASSES FROM ONE COMMERCIAL POULTRY PROCESSING PLANT IN SERBIA

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter spp. in broiler chicken carcasses in one poultry slaughterhouse in Serbia during a two-year period. The research was conducted to check the hygiene of the production process. In total of 360 random samples were collected during the 2022 and 2023, through 24 individual sampling. It was found that 84 samples (23.33%) were contaminated with Salmonella, with a higher rate of contamination observed during spring and summer (69 isolates, 82.1%). Salmonella Enteritidis was the predominant serovar, followed by Salmonella Infantis and Salmonella spp. gr C1. In the first year of sampling, the mean number of Campylobacter spp. was 613.4 CFU/g, whereas in the second year the contamination with these bacteria increased and amounted to 1169.17 CFU/g. There was a significant seasonal variation in the level of contamination of broiler chicken carcasses with Campylobacter spp, with the highest number recorded in the summer months. In conclusion, carcass contamination by Salmonella and Campylobacter in broiler chickens is a significant public health issue in Serbia and and requires continuous monitoring and implementation of preventive control procedures.