Prevalence and Load of Campylobacter spp. in Raw Chicken Meat from Jammu Province, India

The investigation aimed to know prevalence and microbial load of Campylobacter species in raw chicken meat collected from retail markets across five distinct districts of Jammu region. A total of 200 poultry meat samples were obtained using a systematic random sampling methods to ensure representative coverage of the region. Microbiological analyses were conducted using selective culture techniques, followed by confirmatory biochemical testing to detect and quantify Campylobacter spp. The investigation revealed a Campylobacter prevalence rate of 3.5%, with bacterial counts in positive samples averaging 1.88 log₁₀ colony-forming units per gram (cfu/g). The highest contamination was observed in samples from Jammu district, followed by Udhampur and Rajouri whereas no contamination was detected in samples from Kathua and Samba. Although the overall prevalence was low but poses significant food safety risks due to the organism’s low infectious dose and its potential to cause severe gastrointestinal illness and post-infectious complications. The study emphasizes the critical need for enhanced hygiene practices across the poultry supply chain, consistent microbial monitoring, and consumer education to mitigate the risk of foodborne Campylobacter infections.