Prevalence of Campylobacter spp isolated from the intestinal tract of pigsraised in an integrated swine production system

Objective-To enumerate the prevalence of Campylobacter isolates in the inte stinal tract of market-weight swine raised in an integrated swine operation in Texas. Sample Population-Samples of cecal contents were collected from 595 pigs (m ean body weight, 110 kg [242 Ib]) at time of slaughter. Pigs were offspring of Yorkshire-Landrace sows and Duroc or Hampshire boars. Pigs originated f rom 4 farrow-to-finish farms. Procedure-During a g-month period, visits were made to a slaughter plant to remove cecal contents from market-weight hogs. Samples were obtained from 50 pigs/visit from designated farms so that samples were obtained 3 times f rom pigs of each of 4 farms. Isolation of Campylobacter spp was accomplishe d by use of enrichment broth and restrictive media, using microaerophilic c onditions. Results-Campylobacter spp were isolated from 70 to 100% of the pigs, depend ing on the farm and the date the samples were collected. Campylobacter coil was isolated from 20 to 100% (mean, 60%) of samples, and C jejuni was isol ated from 0 to 76% (mean, 31%) of samples. Campylobacter lari was isolated from 2 pigs. Concentrations of C coli or C jejuni ranged from 10(3) to 10(7 ) colony-forming units/g of cecal content. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Campylobacter cell generally is accepted as a common inhabitant of the intestinal tract of swine. However, analysis of results of this study suggests that a relatively high prevalence of C j ejuni may be found in pigs raised on specific farms.