Presence of zoonotic campylobacters in cattle and swine for consumption in Argentina.

The first isolation of zoonotic campylobacters in Argentina is described. Samples from intestinal contents and swabbing of carcasses of clinically healthy cattle and swine destined for consumption were analysed. In cattle, isolations of C. fetus subsp. jejuni and C. sputorum were made from intestinal content samples (1.7% and 6.9% respectively for each species), and only the former species was isolated from carcass swabbing samples (3.2%). Isolations in swine were made only from intestinal contents (6.9%). We discuss the significance of these isolations in relation to the role the animal species studied play in the epidemiological chain of this zoonosis.