Which bacterium is naturally found in the intestinal tracts of animals, especially poultry, and can contaminate food, potentially causing campylobacteriosis?

Which bacterium is naturally found in the intestinal tracts of animals, especially poultry, and can contaminate food, potentially causing campylobacteriosis?

• A. Staphylococcus
• B. Listeria
• C. Escherichia coli
• D. Campylobacter

Answer: (D)

Campylobacter is the bacterium naturally found in the intestinal tracts of animals, especially poultry, and it can contaminate food, potentially causing campylobacteriosis. Because it resides in the gut of birds, poultry products often become contaminated during slaughter and processing if proper hygiene isn’t followed. Eating undercooked poultry or foods contaminated by poultry juices can introduce Campylobacter into the human gut, leading to gastroenteritis with symptoms like diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Cooking poultry to a safe internal temperature and preventing cross-contamination are key to prevention. The other bacteria listed are associated with different sources or kinds of foodborne illness and don’t fit the clue about poultry gut as the natural reservoir for this specific illness.

Campylobacter is the bacterium naturally found in the intestinal tracts of animals, especially poultry, and it can contaminate food, potentially causing campylobacteriosis. Because it resides in the gut of birds, poultry products often become contaminated during slaughter and processing if proper hygiene isn’t followed. Eating undercooked poultry or foods contaminated by poultry juices can introduce Campylobacter into the human gut, leading to gastroenteritis with symptoms like diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Cooking poultry to a safe internal temperature and preventing cross-contamination are key to prevention. The other bacteria listed are associated with different sources or kinds of foodborne illness and don’t fit the clue about poultry gut as the natural reservoir for this specific illness.