ABSTRACT
The genus Arcobacter embraces gram-negative curved-shaped bacteria, and some of the species are considered emergent enteropathogens to humans and animals [1]. Interest in these bacteria has risen exponentially in recent years, because they are able to colonize a wide diversity of habitats and hosts [1–3 and references therein]. Among the habitats, livestock animals, wastewater, and marine ecosystems (seawater, shellfish, etc.) seem to be the most important reservoirs for these bacteria. Fecal contamination with wastewater could be the way of dissemination to other habitats, like drinking water, irrigation water, ready-to-eat vegetables, and other processed food products [1–5 and references therein]. Food products of animal origin, especially meat products like poultry and pork, show a high prevalence of Arcobacter species, and their sources of contamination have been related with the processing procedures in the abattoirs. These bacteria can produce abortions, mastitis, and other disorders in animals, and the species Arcobacter butzleri have been considered a serious hazard to human health by the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods and also a significant zoonotic pathogen [1 and references therein, 6]. In addition, dairy products, such as milk and cheese, as well as vegetables (spinach, lettuce, etc.) have shown contamination by Arcobacter species. Therefore, several reviews summarizing and discussing the existing data and the potential role of Arcobacter spp. as foodborne pathogens have been published [5,7–10].
