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Title: A critical review of biosecurity-based interventions and strategies to reduce Campylobacter on the poultry farm

Author
item NEWELL, D - Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA)
item ELVERS, K - University Of Bristol
item HANSSON, I - National Veterinary Institute - Sweden
item JONES, P - University Of Reading
item JAMES, S - University Of Bristol
item Stern, Norman
item DAVIES, R - Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA)
item CONNERTON, I - University Of Nottingham
item SALVAT, G - French Food And Safety Agency(AFSSA)
item ALLEN, V - University Of Bristol

Submitted to: Applied and Environmental Microbiology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/3/2010
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The control of Campylobacter colonization of poultry flocks is an important public health strategy to control human disease. We performed a critical review of interventions to control Campylobacter in poultry on farms using a systematic approach. Our central question was “What are the potentially available and effective interventions to reduce Campylobacter on the poultry farm?” Conducting a comprehensive electronic data literature review, multiple electronic databases were employed from 1980 to September 2008 resulting in 4316 references being identified. This primary library was subjected to selected criteria, to identify relevant references related to biosecurity-based interventions. The final library comprised 173 references. The main objective of the review was to identify the sources of Campylobacter in poultry flocks to target interventions to disrupt transmission routes. The review concluded that, in most instances, biosecurity on conventional broiler farms can enhance and contribute to the reduction of flock colonization. However, the development of additional complementary non-biosecurity-based approaches will also be required to maximize reductions of Campylobacter-positive flocks on the farm.

Technical Abstract: The control of Campylobacter colonization in poultry flocks is an important public health strategy to control human campylobacteriosis. A critical review of potential controls for Campylobacter in poultry on farms was undertaken using a systematic approach. Our question was “What are the available and prospective effective and feasible interventions and strategies to reduce Campylobacter on the poultry farm?” The initial search used was Campylobacter AND (chickens OR chicken OR turkeys OR turkey OR fowl OR broiler OR broilers OR poultry). Several databases were used to search literature from 1980 to September 2008 providing 4316 references. This library was subsequently scanned, using agreed criteria, to select relevant references related to biosecurity. The final library comprised 173 references. The main objective was to identify the sources of Campylobacter in poultry flocks to target interventions to disrupt transmission routes. The approach used risk factor-based surveys related to culture-positive or -negative flocks, usually combined with a structured questionnaire. The review concluded that, in most instances, biosecurity on conventional broiler farms can be enhanced and this should contribute to the reduction of flock colonization. However, the development of additional complementary non-biosecurity-based approaches will also be required in the future to maximize the reduction of Campylobacter-positive flocks at the farm level.