Association of Antimicrobial Resistance in spp. in Broilers and Turkeys with Antimicrobial Use.

We investigated trends in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in   and   in poultry between 2010 and 2016 in Germany and their association with antimicrobial use. had been isolated from the caeca of broilers and turkeys at slaughter by regional laboratories according to current ISO methods in the framework of a national monitoring program. Isolates were submitted to the National Reference Laboratory for and tested for AMR using broth microdilution methods.

Internal sample process control improves cultivation-independent quantification of thermotolerant Campylobacter.

Quantification of Campylobacter is challenging and one major reason is the fact that bacteria lose cultivability due to cold or oxygen stress during storage at retail. Alternative live/dead discriminatory qPCR currently lacks standardization and might overestimate live cells in the presence of dead cells. In this study an internal sample process control (ISPC) was developed.

Campylobacter detection along the food chain--towards improved quantitative risk analysis by live/dead discriminatory culture-independent methods.

Death, although absolute in its consequence, is not measurable by an absolute parameter in bacteria. Viability assays address different aspects of life, e. g.

"Limits of control"--crucial parameters for a reliable quantification of viable campylobacter by real-time PCR.

The unsuitability of the "CFU" parameter and the usefulness of cultivation-independent quantification of Campylobacter on chicken products, reflecting the actual risk for infection, is increasingly becoming obvious. Recently, real-time PCR methods in combination with the use of DNA intercalators, which block DNA amplification from dead bacteria, have seen wide application. However, much confusion exists in the correct interpretation of such assays.