Incidence of campylobacter species in milk and some milk products in Alexandria city

Abstract EN

A total of 200 samples including 50 samples of raw milk, 50 samples of Kareish cheese, 50 samples of Damietta cheese and 50 samples icecream, all were collected randomly from Alexandria markets and street vendors and examined bacteriologically for the detection and identification of existing Campylobacter microorganisms.

The result recorded in this investigation declared that Campylobacter could be isolated from raw milk, Kareish cheese, Damietta cheese and icecream in percentages of 10, 14, 4 and 8 % respectively.

Campylobacter jejuni which is pathogenic for human as it is responsible for food poisoning and other gastrointestinal symptoms associated with bloody diarrhoea was isolated from raw milk in 3 cases (6 %), from Kareish cheese in 3 cases (6 %), from ice-cream in 4 isolates (8 %) and could not be isolated from Damietta cheese.

The presence of Campylobacter in this study reflect the lack of hygiene supervision and poorly cleaned and sanitized dairy farm equipments and processing plant equipments.

Moreover, Campylobacter jejuni isolated in this study was tested for susceptibility to 11 antimicrobial drugs.

All isolates were highly sensitive and susceptible to Naladixic acid and Norfloxacin but show high resistance to Tetracyclin and Cephalothin and some extend resistance to Erythromycin, Flumequine and Pencillin.

The public health hazard to Campylobacter jejuni and other Campylobacter species and the sanitary measures for improving milk quality beside proper handling and distribution of milk and milk products must be done under the most possible hygienic measures.