COST ACTION 920

Inventory of QMRA Studies in Europe

Pathogen

Campylobacter jejuni  and  C. coli

Country or region

Germany

Transmission route

 From

retail

To

Specific product(s)

End-point(s)

Bibliographic reference

Up to now only first reports on qualitative and quantitative data for the pathogen inside and outside are published:
1. Luber, P., P. Vogt, M. Müller, K. Scherer, E. Bartelt (2004). Exogenous and endogenous contamination of German retail chicken with Campylobacter spp. - consequences for an exposure assessment. Proceedings 5th World Congress Foodborne Infections and Intoxications, 7 - 11 June 2004 in Berlin, Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Germany, in press

2. Luber, P., K. Scherer, E. Bartelt (2004). Kontamination von Hähnchenkeulen mit Campylobacter spp. - Untersuchungen zur Lokalisation. Fleischwirtschaft, in press

3. Luber, P., P. Vogt, K. Scherer, E. Bartelt (2004). Quantification of Campylobacter in fresh retail chicken parts. Food Pathogen Epidemiology: Microbes, Maladies and Methods. Proceedings of an international EU-RAIN conference hosted by the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Padua, Italy, December 2.-3. 2004. Teagasc - The National Food Centre, Ireland, p.149

Abstract

Please see abstract no. 2 as an example for our basic experiments for generation of quantitative data for the model.

To estimate the exposure of German consumers to Campylobacter through nationally produced chicken products, we exemplarily analysed retail chicken legs. With regard of the special exposure pathways for this unusual foodborne pathogen we sampled surface and internal parts separately. 67.8% of samples (48 of 71) carried Campylobacter on their surface, whereas 11.3% (8) were as well endogenously contaminated. Molecular typing of strains isolated from the outside and inside of contaminated chicken legs revealed different PFGE-types in 5 out of 8 cases. Possible causes for endogenous contamination of chicken products are discussed. As a consequence of the inhomogeneous distribution of the Campylobacters on retail poultry we propose a separation between surface and endogenously sampling for quantification. Moreover, we conclude a quantification of Campylobacter per gram poultry is unsuitable for an exposure assessment in the frame of a quantitative microbiological risk assessment.

Status

2 random samples of retail chicken legs and breast filets are analyzed. Campylobacter were quantified on the surface and in the meat. We quantified the transfer of the pathogens from the surface of naturally contaminated parts due to cross-contamination to hands and kitchen utensils.

These input data for the model are in preparation for publication.

Moreover, we analyzed available data on poultry consumption in Germany to determine frequency of consumption and serving sizes for the total population and children <5a as a susceptible subgroup. A publication of the outcome is planned.

Availability

Model and Simulation: finished late- March, expected publication in summer 2005.

Institute

in Cooperation with the Robert-Koch Institut (RKI)

Contact person

 Petra Luber (RKI: Andrea Ammon)

Partners