Amir Shafiei - Department of Food Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran
Ebrahim Rahimi - Department of Food Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran
Amir Shakerian - Research Center of Nutrition and Organic Products (R.C.N.O.P), Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran

Background and aims: Gastritis is basically caused by Campylobacter coli and jejuni, and usually occures after the consumption of raw animal products. Methods: This study investigated the prevalence, virulence, and antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter species isolated from slaughtered animals in Juneqan, Farrokhshahr, Saman, and Lordegan slaughterhouses in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province of Iran. From ۴۰ camels, ۵ samples of liver, neck meat, kidney, heart, and rectal contents were taken from each carcass. The obtained samples were cultured and then the PCR was performed for them and, finally, the toxin genes of virulence and resistance against antibiotics were examined. Results: Out of ۱۹ Campylobacter specimens isolated, ۸ specimens were coli and ۱۱ ones were jejuni. It was also found that the infection with Campylobacter in the carcasses was the highest in warmer seasons. Conclusion: The carcasses of slaughtered animals in slaughterhouses were likely a potential reservoir for coli and jejuni species, and their viscera and meat could have transmitted these bacteria to humans and animals.

Campylobacter coli, Campylobacter jejuni, slaughterhouse, antimicrobial resistance, Virulence genes