Effects of feed withdrawal and transport on cecal environment and Campylobacter concentrations in a swine surgical model

The objective of the present study was to evaluate how feed withdrawal and transportation influenced the cecal environment and cecal populations of Ca mpylobacter in swine. Four miniature Yucatan gilts (8.8 kg), naturally infe cted with Cam pylobacter jejuni, were surgically implanted with cecal cannu las. The gilts were fasted for 48 h. Samples of cecal contents were collect ed for 7 days prior to and for 7 days after the fast, and mean values were determined for pH, volatile fatty acids (VFA), and CFU enumeration of C. je juni. This was replicated three times. Tn another trial, gilts (full-fed) w ere transported in a livestock trailer for 4 h and cecal samples were colle cted before and after transport and analyzed for pH, VFA, and CFU. Followin g a 48-h fast, cecal pH increased (P < 0.05) by 1 unit; acetic and propioni c acids decreased (P < 0.05) by 61% and 71%, respectively; and there was a twofold log,, increase (P < 0.05) in CFU/g cecal content of C. jejuni. Valu es of pH, VFA, and CFU of C. jejuni did not change in cecal samples from gi lts following transportation. These data are important for food safety cons iderations because feed withdrawal, commonly associated with shipping and s laughter, can increase Campylobacter concentrations in the pig intestinal t ract.