We use cookies on our website. Some are necessary for the operation of the website. You can also allow cookies for statistical purposes. You can adjust the data protection settings or agree to all cookies directly.
Data Protection Declaration
Imprint
Collaborative project: Combined live/dead discrimination and real-time PCR approach for the quantitative risk assessment of viable Campylobacter applicable in international control strategies. Subproject A (CAMPY-TRACE)
Project
Project code: BfR-BIOS-08-1334-225, 031B0054A
Contract period: 01.04.2016
- 31.03.2019
Budget: 264,512 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
Campylobacter is an internationally underestimated food-borne pathogen. Although far less known by the public than Salmonella, campylobacteriosis is currently the most frequently reported bacterial food-borne illness in humans worldwide, with broiler meat comprising the crucial source of infections. In Vietnam, pioneer studies suggested that Campylobacter might contribute to child morbidity and poultry products were accordingly proposed to constitute the main source of infection. The main objective of this collaborative project is the establishment, validation and implementation of a cultivation-independent direct quantification method by a real-time PCR approach for effective control of the poultry food chain. These methods have to be improved in order to sufficiently discriminate between live and dead bacteria with suitable reference standards (in particular, an internal sample process control, ISPC), enhancing the informative value of CFU (colony forming unit), currently accepted to be the “gold standard” in food control. For this purpose, the BfR in cooperation with the Bayerisches Landesamt für Gesundheit und Lebensmittelsicherheit recently proposed a new term of “intact and potentially infectious units (IPIU)”, corresponding to all viable bacteria with an intact membrane, including those that are transiently metabolically inactive. Parallel to the establishment and validation of the method, the research cooperation will contribute to broaden our understanding of quantitative dissemination of this important pathogen, taking into account different climatic situations of the two cooperating countries and various steps from primary production to retail. The project aims at uncovering possible critical contamination sources along the production and distribution chain of poultry. Filling in the gaps for reliable quantitative detection of Campylobacter will allow more targeted intervention strategies and overall reduction in the transmission of the pathogen, especially regarding the internationally rising demand and global trade of chicken products.
Section overview
Subjects
- Food Processing
- Toxicology
