OCCURRENCE OF CAMPYLOBACTER JEJUNI AND LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES IN HEN'S EGGS

Document Type : Research article

Author

Abstract

200 of fresh hen's eggs were collected at random from Assiut markets and different groceries. Both the shell and the contents of the eggs were examined bacteriologically for the presence of Campylobacter jejuni and Listeria monocytogenes. Cultures from eggs were performed from swabbing on their surfaces, from homogenates of shells and membranes, and from the egg contents. C. je juni were detected in 12% of the analyzed samples. The organism was present in 2% of shell surface swabs, 6% of shell and shell membranes homogenates and in 4% of the egg white and yolk. L. monocytogenes failed to be detected in the examined egg samples. The significance of C. jejuni and L. monocytogenes as foodborne pathogens was discussed.