[Campylobacter fetus subsp. jejuni as a surface contaminant of fresh and chilled pig carcasses (author's transl)].

An investigation was carried out into the occurrence of Campylobacter fetus subsp. jejuni on the surfaces of fresh and chilled pig carcasses. Swabs were taken of the water in the scald-tank, from cut surfaces, and from cut surfaces of carcasses that had been stored at 5 degrees C for 4 days. A total of 310 swabs was investigated, of which 10 were from the scald-tank, 100 from livers, 100 from cut surfaces, and 100 from cut surfaces of carcasses stored at refrigeration temperature. A specific enrichment process was employed for isolation of the bacteria. Campylobacter fetus subsp. jejuni was isolated from 43% of the liver swabs, from 56% of those from the cut surfaces, and from 32% of swabs from the cut surfaces of carcasses stored at refrigeration temperature. Campylobacter bacteria were not, however, isolated from the scald-tank. The high level of contamination found in this investigation is considered to create a possible source of Campylobacter infection for animal and Man.