Investigation of Helicobacter pylori contamination in broiler chickens in Golestan Province, Iran

This study aimed to investigate the presence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in broiler chickens processed in Golestan Province, Iran, and to evaluate its potential public health significance. A total of ۲۴۰ samples were collected from the subcutaneous tissue of the neck and thigh regions of slaughtered broiler chickens (۱۰ samples from each of ۲۴ farms). Samples were cultured on Brucella agar supplemented with ۷% defibrinated sheep blood and selective antibiotics under microaerophilic conditions. Colonies with morphological and biochemical characteristics of H. pylori were further confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the ۱۶S rRNA gene using species-specific primers. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test with a significance level set at p < ۰.۰۵. H. pylori was detected in ۸.۳% (۲/۲۴) of the broiler flocks sampled. The presence of H. pylori was confirmed by PCR assay, showing a ۱۳۳ bp amplicon corresponding to the ۱۶S rRNA gene. The detection of H. pylori highlights poultry as a potential source of zoonotic transmission, likely linked to poor hygienic conditions during slaughter and processing. These findings underscore the need for stricter biosecurity measures and monitoring of poultry products to mitigate the risk of H. pylori contamination and subsequent human infection.

کلیدواژه ها:

Chicken ، Foodborne contamination ، Helicobacter pylori ، PCR ، Zoonosis