Campylobacter species in animal, food, and environmental sources, and relevant testing programs in Canada

• Published in: Canadian journal of microbiology Vol. 61; no. 10; pp. 701 - 721
• Main Authors: Huang, Hongsheng, Brooks, Brian W, Lowman, Ruff, Carrillo, Catherine D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Canada NRC Research Press 01.10.2015; Canadian Science Publishing NRC Research Press
• Subjects: animal; Animal Diseases - epidemiology; Animal Diseases - microbiology; Animals; Animals, Wild; Bacteria; Campylobacter; Campylobacter - isolation & purification; Campylobacter coli; Campylobacter Infections - epidemiology; Campylobacter Infections - microbiology; Campylobacter jejuni; Campylobacter lari; Campylobacter testing programs; campylobacteriosis; Canada; Canada - epidemiology; dietary nutrient sources; Distribution; Environment; Feces - microbiology; Food; Food Microbiology; Gastroenteritis; human diseases; human health; Humans; Infectious diseases; les aliments; les animaux; les campylobactéries; l’environnement; meat products; Microbiology; Pets; poultry; Prevalence; programmes canadiens de dépistage des campylobactéries; Public Health; raw milk; Water pollution; Canada; Canada; environment; l’environnement; programmes canadiens de dépistage des campylobactéries; animal; les animaux; Campylobacter testing programs; les aliments; les campylobactéries; food; Campylobacter
• ISSN: 1480-3275; 0008-4166; 1480-3275
• DOI: 10.1139/cjm-2014-0770

Campylobacter species, particularly thermophilic campylobacters, have emerged as a leading cause of human foodborne gastroenteritis worldwide, with Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, and Campylobacter lari responsible for the majority of human infections. Although most cases of campylobacteriosis are self-limiting, campylobacteriosis represents a significant public health burden. Human illness caused by infection with campylobacters has been reported across Canada since the early 1970s. Many studies have shown that dietary sources, including food, particularly raw poultry and other meat products, raw milk, and contaminated water, have contributed to outbreaks of campylobacteriosis in Canada. Campylobacter spp. have also been detected in a wide range of animal and environmental sources, including water, in Canada. The purpose of this article is to review (i) the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in animals, food, and the environment, and (ii) the relevant testing programs in Canada with a focus on the potential links between campylobacters and human health in Canada.