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Title: Routes for Campylobacter coli colonization of the intestinal track of chicks

Author
item Cosby, Douglas
item Cray, Paula
item Cox Jr, Nelson
item Buhr, Richard - Jeff
item Richardson, Larry
item HARRISON, M - University Of Georgia
item WILSON, J - University Of Georgia

Submitted to: International Poultry Scientific Forum
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/22/2009
Publication Date: 1/25/2010
Citation: Cosby, D.E., Cray, P.J., Cox Jr, N.A., Buhr, R.J., Richardson, L.J., Harrison, M.A., Wilson, J.L. 2010. Routes for Campylobacter coli colonization of the intestinal track of chicks [abstract]. International Poultry Scientific Forum. January 25 - 26, 2010. Atlanta, GA. M78. P.24.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The newly hatched chick may be exposed to significant levels of Campylobacter from various sources in the hatchery and grow-out environments. Once the Campylobacter reach the ceca of the young chick they are able to multiply to high levels in a relatively short time period. This creates a situation where the young chick is contaminating the environment by excretion of large numbers of Campylobacter through cecal and fecal droppings which can result in the contamination of other birds in the grow-out facility. In this study, Campylobacter coli, naturally gentamicin resistant, was introduced into the day-of-hatch chicks through various body openings (mouth, nasal passage, eye and cloaca) at three different inoculum levels (approximately 20, 200 and 2000 CFU/bird) to determine which of the routes and numbers of Campylobacter would result in the highest level of colonization in the chicks. Two replications with 160 birds per replication and one replication with 110 birds were challenged via the different routes. Exposed birds colonized with greater than 104 Colony Forming Units (CFU) occurred readily with all four routes of entry if the original inoculum level was at least approximately 200 CFU/bird or greater. The nasal passage was the least likely route of colonization. This data suggests that Campylobacter can readily colonize day of hatch birds via various routes and contaminate the environment through shedding in feces. Therefore, multiple intervention strategies may be required to interrupt exposure and/or colonization with Campylobacter.