Is the presence of Clostridium difficile in the intestines of pigs at slaughter-age related to the farming system?

Abstract

Clostridium difficile is a major cause of colitis and diarrhea in hospitalized people. However more and more studies report about C. difficile infections (CDI) in community settings. Because C. difficile is detected in many animal species and on meat products, it is of importance to get insight whether there is a potential for foodborne transmission of C. difficile. For this study rectum contents of 677 pigs, of which 378 conventional and 292 organic, were collected at the slaughterhouse. An overall C. difficile prevalence of 8,6% (58/677) was found. Both on individual pig level and on herd level no significant difference in prevalence between the two farming types was detected. Sixteen distinct C. difficile ribotypes were found, type 078 dominated with 31,0% (18/58).