Chicken Meat, Beef and Vegetables: Potential Sources of Campylobacter jejuni Contamination in Imo State, Nigeria

This work was carried out to determine the incidence of Campylobacter jejuni in selected food products in Imo state, Nigeria. Unprocessed Chicken meat, Beef and processed salad vegetables (diced Carrots and cabbage) were assessed for the incidence of Campylobacter jejuni . 600 samples were collected between August, 2017-December, 2017 from selected local Markets. The Campylobacter jejuni was characterized using relevant biochemical test, growth characteristics and antimicrobial susceptibility and the results were read off using ABIS online showing 99% similarity with 65% accuracy. Results show that chicken samples isolated from Ihiagwa and relief markets were positive to Campylobacter jejuni with a 96% and 95% incidence respectively. More beef samples from Relief market were positive compared to those from Ihiagwa market with 56% and 43% incidence respectively. On the other hand higher incidence was reported for the salad vegetables from Relief market than those from Ihiagwa market with values of 22% and 16% respectively. Also most samples from Relief Market had higher microbial load than samples from Ihiagwa market. This work stresses the need for routine checks on meat sold in markets and also recommends proper processing of meat and vegetable samples before consumption.