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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Athens, Georgia » U.S. National Poultry Research Center » Poultry Microbiological Safety and Processing Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #312272
Title: Isolation of naturally occurring Campylobacter from the circulating blood of broilers

Author
item Cox Jr, Nelson
item RICHARDSON, L - Coca-Cola Company
item Buhr, Richard - Jeff
item Cosby, Douglas
item Berrang, Mark
item HARRISON, MARK - University Of Georgia

Submitted to: WATT Poultry USA
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/19/2014
Publication Date: 2/1/2015
Citation: Cox Jr, N.A., Richardson, L.J., Buhr, R.J., Cosby, D.E., Berrang, M.E., Harrison, M. 2015. Isolation of naturally occurring Campylobacter from the circulating blood of broilers. WATT Poultry USA. 16(2):p.18-20.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Campylobacter spp., are present in organs and tissues of broiler chickens but the dissemination route is unclear. The aim of the current study was to determine Campylobacter prevalence within circulating blood of commercial broilers. Broilers were acquired from 19 flocks originating from three commercial poultry processing companies. Using aseptic blood collection techniques, 5 mL of circulating blood was collected from each bird and the sample analyzed for Campylobacter. From the 248 total birds sampled, 12% of the birds had Campylobacter in the blood. This study documents Campylobacter prevalence in the circulating blood of commercially raised broilers. Campylobacter presence in the circulatory system may indicate the path used by the organism for rapid dissemination to organs and tissue. From a processing viewpoint, Campylobacter presence in circulating blood of market-age broilers may increase the likelihood of cross-contamination between birds during slaughter.