title: Seasonal Variability of ThermophilicCampylobacterSpp. in Raw Milk Sold by Automatic Vending Machines in Lombardy Region.
abstract: In temperate climates, a seasonal trend was observed in the incidence of human campylobacteriosis cases, with peaks reported in spring and autumn in some countries, or in summer in others; a similar trend was observed inCampylobacterspp. dairy cattle faecal shedding, suggesting that cattle may play a role in the seasonal peak of human infection. The objectives of this study were to assess if a seasonal trend in thermophilicCampylobacterspp. contamination of raw milk exists and to evaluate a possible relation between this and the increase of human campylobacteriosis incidence in summer months. The results showed a mean prevalence of 1.6% of milk samples positive for thermophilicCampylobacterspp. with a wide range (0.0-3.1%) in different months during the three years considered. The statistical analysis showed a significant difference (P<0.01) of the prevalence of positive samples for thermophilicCampylobacterspp. between warmer and cooler months (2.3vs0.6%). The evidence of a seasonal trend in thermophilicCampylobacterspp. contamination of raw milk sold for direct consumption, with an increase of the prevalence in warmer months, may represent one of the possible links between seasonal trend in cattle faecal shedding and seasonal trend in human campylobacteriosis.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Experimental Veterinary Medicine of Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna , Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bertasi
authors.affiliation: Institute for Experimental Veterinary Medicine of Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna , Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Marina Nadia
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Losio
authors.affiliation: Institute for Experimental Veterinary Medicine of Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna , Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Daminelli
authors.affiliation: Institute for Experimental Veterinary Medicine of Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna , Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Finazzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna , Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO), Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Serraino
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna , Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO), Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Piva
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna , Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO), Italy.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Giacometti
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna , Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO), Italy.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Massella
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna , Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO), Italy.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ostanello
keywords: Raw milk; Seasonal variation; Thermophilic Campylobacter spp