Reference | Kilonzo.Nthenge_2015_JoofFoPr (10303)

To isolate Enterococcus species, we analyzed a total of 343 raw chicken samples randomly purchased from the three largest retail chain stores in Davidson County, Tennessee. Stores were assigned identifying numbers and were randomly selected by using a random number generator. In our study, all chicken labeled ‘‘antibiotics free’’ or ‘‘no antibiotics’’ or that had organic symbols were termed ‘‘organic.’’ The meat package purchased was required to be fresh (not previously frozen). The samples were designated as organic breast (n = 65), organic wings (n = 34), organic ground breast (n = 30), organic drumsticks (n = 74), conventional breast (n= 63), conventional wings (n = 26), conventional drumsticks (n = 20), and conventional ground chicken (n = 31).

Depending on the availability of chicken from the single integrated company, meat samples (two or three samples per meat type) were collected on each sampling day. All organic and conventional chicken samples were collected from the same store at 7-day intervals to avoid duplicate sampling from the same consignment. Briefly, 25 g of each sample was removed aseptically from the packaging before isolation of Enterococci.

AST Method: Disk Diffusion

Reference explicitly reports AST breakpoints: False

Reference reports using a MIC table: False