Keywords
How to Cite
Abstract
The influence of transport stress in the presence of Campylobacter spp. and the antimicrobial resistance profile were evaluated in feces of 60 pigs. The samples were collected at the finishing farm and after transport to the slaughterhouse, totaling 120 samples. Isolation was performed by plaque culture and identification of the species was obtained by biochemical tests confirmed with the PCR technique. Campylobacter spp. was isolated in 63.3% of the collected samples at the farm and 91.6% at the slaughterhouse, evidencing the influence of transport stress on the increase of the isolates (P<0.05). The species C. coli biotype I, C. jejuni biotype I and C. jejuni subsp. doylei were identified, with C. coli being more prevalent on the farm and C. jejuni in the slaughterhouse. Bacterial resistance was observed for all six classes of antibiotics tested. Among them, the isolates presented greater resistance to lincomycin, tetracycline and nalidixic acid (98.9%), and greater sensitivity to amoxicillin (22.5%). The strains of C. coli showed higher antimicrobial resistance than those of C. jejuni (P<0.05). The results of this study point to the high isolation rates of C. coli and C. jejuni in pig feces destinated for slaughter and possible risks related to meat consumption. The high standards of resistance address the risk to public health.